6 Reasons Why I’m Looking Forward to Fall

In a couple weeks, we will welcome a new Season. It’s my favorite time of year and here are a few reasons why:

1. Fall Colors
Autumn brings with it a beautiful array of golden yellows, oranges, browns and reds and countless opportunities to appreciate the beautiful gifts nature offers.

2. Merchandising at the Grocery Store
When you walk into the grocery store during the Fall Season, you’re greeted by pumpkins, squash, gourds, apples, cider and cookies with orange sprinkles. The atmosphere feels like a party is being thrown in honor of the season. It’s awesome!

3. Warmer Clothes
The temps are much cooler so I get to wear my favorite ensemble…a sweater and comfortable pair of jeans.

4. Fall TV Line Up
The Fall TV Lineup is exciting this year. I’m so ready for another season of Scandal and the new Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

5. Taste of Atlanta
This is “the” festival I look forward to every year. It’s a foodie’s dream come true of food, wine, cooking demos and just plain old Fall-tastic fun. Can hardly wait.

6. Comfort Food I’m dusting off my “go to” recipes and getting ready for a season of warm, filling goodness like these Simply Delicious Baked Apples.

The original recipe for these was found at AllRecipes.com. I made a few adjustments and they turned out very well.

To make these, start by washing and slicing 4 Jonagold apples. I prefer thicker slices with the peel left on for the sake of texture but you can peel them and slice to whatever thickness that makes you happy.

Next, combine 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tsp each of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and a small 1-1/2 oz box of raisins.

Sprinkle the spice mixture over the apples and toss until all the slices are coated.

Rub a little vegetable oil on the bottom and sides of a glass baking dish, spoon in the apples, then pour 1/2 cup of 2% milk evenly over the mixture. Bake the dish for 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. After baking, allow them to sit for roughly 10 minutes on the counter which will allow the syrup to thicken a little.

These apples are a pleasant surprise. The brown sugar helps to develop a really nice sauce and I think you’ll appreciate the not to firm, not to soft texture of the apples. I read reviews where people served them as a dessert with ice cream. I bet they would be pretty nice with some fresh whipped cream too.

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This post was inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.

The prompt I chose this week was: 6 things you look forward to this Fall.

Now it’s your turn. What are you looking forward to?