Sunday, September 18, 2011

Feels Like Fall


Took a road trip yesterday to Apple Hill which is a local area in the Northern California foothills where the farmers are known for their great apples.  This trip is an annual event for our family.  We don't use a lot of apples, but we selected a couple of each type to sample.  Just love to spread sliced apples with a little nut butter for a snack!  Also got a gallon of homemade apple cider which is so delicious heated up to drink in the evenings.


Finished sewing the first Garden Club block - next I'm on to making the chicken and the bee skep blocks.
 















There are wonderful vendors at Apple Hill who sell handmade items.  Couldn't resist this wooden basket made from old barn boards.  The gentleman who makes these hand forges the iron braces and the handle.  The basket is just so unique and sturdily built, and a super bargain at $35!

I'm leaving you with a delicious carmel apple cake recipe that we always enjoy every fall during apple season:

Carmel Apple Cake

Beat well:

1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Sift together and add:

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix in:

3 cups diced raw apples
1 cup nuts (optional - we don't use)

Pour into a 9 X 13 inch pan and bake at 300 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes.

Carmel Glaze

Melt 1/2 cup butter and stir in 1 cup brown sugar, and blend well.
Add 1/4 cup heavy cream and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Take off stove and cool slightly and add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Spread over warm cake and enjoy with hot coffee!

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday and have time to get a few stitches in - thanks for stopping by!

8 comments:

Janet said...

Your block looks lovely! Did anyone else make changes to theirs? What a great looking basket - what are you going to use it for? I must try that recipe - the glaze to go over it sounds yummy!!

Janet said...

Thank you for the apple cake recipe, I'm going to have to try that one. Love the basket!

Mary said...

The cake sounds delicious!!! I just need to get to the produce store for apples. Put that on the schedule for this afternoon!!! I love the basket you got.

Barb said...

hooray for fall!
I love the basket made from barn wood - very nice!
Your block is so sweet! the recipe looks really yummy -

Libby said...

Love the block - I remember how that dragonfly just tickled me. I have been thinking about apples this week - time to make some apple sauce *s*

Juliann said...

Love apples in the fall! I am going to have an apple with peanut butter for lunch!

Karen said...

I was so hoping to come across an apple farm while we were in New England. I wanted one that makes apple cider right on the spot. No luck. We go to one in Ohio if we happen to be there in October. I miss that and the fall leaves.

Oops-Lah said...

We love apple cakes and will give this a try! The caramel topping sounds just perfect! Thanks for sharing.