3 Ingredient Apple Spice Snack Cake

Having apple cravings for this time of the year is great, because it’s one of the things we have an abundance of.   After work today, I finally had to time to make a delicious snack cake that I’ve been meaning to make, my 3 Ingredient Apple Spice Snack Cake.  This cake is as delicious as it sounds and only take minutes to make.  Plus it smells up your whole house with the fantastic fall aromas.  As my boy opened the door, the smell hit him and he was so excited to find out what made the awesome smell.  It’s a recipe to keep on days you want some fall comfort with little efforts.  It’s my go to for a snack cake or a crumb it up as an apple spice crisp & serve it with ice cream.  Either way, your family will thank you by gobbling it all up.

3 Ingredient Apple Spice Snack Cake

Ingredients:
*4-5 apples sliced (depending on the size of pan used.)
*1 pumpkin spice cake mix
*3/4c butter melted (1/2c left dry spots that didn’t cook so I add a little more butter and it works out well.)

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350.  Grease bottom of pan.
*Place apples on the bottom of pan, cover completely with sliced apples.
*Sprinkle cake mix over apples covering completely.  I used a smaller cake pan the 2nd time around so the cake was a little thicker.
*Spread the melted butter over the cake mix covering as much area as you can.  Any dry areas should cook when apples release their juices.  If not the last 5 minutes of cooking pull cake out add a tiny bit of water and cook for 5 minutes.
*Place pan in oven and cook for 45-50 minutes depending on your oven & pan.
*Take out and let cool for 15 minutes or so.
*Then slice & enjoy.   Or crumbling up and serve it with ice cream.

What a favorite apple treat/dessert in your house?

Lovin’ The Colors

“Autumn is a second chance at spring where every leaf is a flower.” ~Albert Camus

Do the leaves change colors where you live?  Got an image to link up showing off the colors in your area, it can be new or old?  I would love to see them.  Link up in the comments below.

Rustic Pumpkin Pie W/ Coconut Cream Topping

One of the biggest & best things I love doing in fall is eating all the delicious foods. I can’t seem to get enough, hence why I decided to this as my 31 day series. This year I’ve changed how I eat and I would like to continue with eating healthier food. But there will be days, that this won’t apply to. My month of recipes with be a mix, old & new, healthy & not, unique & common (with a twist of course), home made or semi etc.

This image isn’t good, I didn’t have much time to take one tonight. Don’t judge this recipe by the image.

Today’s recipe is one that I have been meaning to make but never got around to it.  Well today is the day.  I loved the pie but only half the kiddos like it since it wasn’t sweet.  They were expecting something with lot of sugar in it like blueberry pie.   I love the taste of this pie but if you’re looking for something a little sweeter either use sweetened coconut or add a little bit of sugar.  But if your like me who love pumpkin and coconut but not a huge sugar fan, you’ll love this recipe.  Another great thing about this recipe, was the crust I used.  I loved how the granola tasted with the coconut and pumpkin.  Such a great combo!

Rustic Pumpkin Pie W/ Coconut Cream Topping
adapted from: Cynthia Presser
serves 8

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of puree pumpkin
• 1 premade crust ( I used a granola one)
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, divided
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (7 oz) unsweetened coconut

Directions:

• In a food processor add the pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon, & half of the milk.  Mix well.
• Pour pumpkin mix into pie crust and spread out.  It will fill most of the crust so don’t worry.
• Mix the remaining milk with the coconut.  Mix well.
• Pour over pumpkin mix in the crust and spread out.
• Bake @ 350 for 20-30 mins
• Take out of oven let cool for 15 mins.  Then transfer to fridge to let cool for a hr or two.
• Slice when ready to eat.

~Enjoy~

31 days series Intro: Eating My Way Through Fall

Tomorrow is October 1st, which means that the 31 days series will begin.  This event is a popular blogging event that over a thousand bloggers take part in.  This year, I’m excited to be joining the crew of wonderful blogging working our way through our chosen theme.  I thought awhile about the different topics I could do and finally came up with a fun topic.  My theme for this event is “Eating My Way Through Fall”.
Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love cooler nights, warm comfort food, sitting around the fire, delicious desserts…….. Since food is a big part of our lives and fall, what better way to celebrate than than eating, exploring different textures, flavors, &  combinations.  Starting tomorrow, I will be adding a new delicious recipe for you guys to try.  Join me every day for the next 31 days to see what  new recipes I have for you….some new….some old,….some unique….but all delicious.  Be sure to follow along with my blog by bookmarking this page or signing up for email updates.

Are you doing your own 31 days series?  What’s your theme?  Leave me a comment so I can follow along.  Any suggestions on what types of recipes you would like to see?  

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Katherine’s Corner, Kenarry, Lambertslately, Live Laugh Rowe,

 

 

Fall Camping: 7 Frugal Ideas To Get You Started

Ever go camping in the fall?  If you not, you are surely missing out.  Cooler nights….hot cocoa by campfire….crockpot meals….trick or treating….snuggling around the fire….kayaking during foliage season….sharing stories, drinks, & good food….What could more exciting than fall camping!?!?
This week, I’m getting ready for our last weekend of camping for this year.  The weekend isn’t supposed to be a great one, lots of rain, but that won’t deter us from having a grand ol’ time.

Since it’s our last trip of the year, I’ve got a few things I wanted to do, but of course I want to keep it low key, not spending much.  Here are 7 Frugal Ideas to help get you started:
*Plan delicious but easy seasonal comfort dinners such as casseroles, chili, or crock pot meals.  Here are a few suggestions:
~Potato, Corn, & Sausage Bake
~Salsa Verde Chicken for Tacos
~Nachos
~Sweet Potato Chili
*Figure out a few fun games to play ahead of time (the more you incorporate nature the easier it will be.)  Our favorites are:
~glow in the dark tag or hide n seek
~plan a scavenger hunt (make it as easy or difficult as you like)
~make words or sentences from the nature
~make leaf people using only what you can find
*Campground offering trick or treating here are few ideas to keep your cost down:
~use your kids dress up clothing
~buy a pack or two of Halloween makeup @ the dollar store & paint their face
~ask a friend if they have anything you could use
~search around the house & make something from what you find
*Warm desserts will hit the spot on any cool night.  Some of our favorites are:
~banana boats
~shortbread cookie s’mores
~warm apple cake
~cobbler (you can use an assortment of berries or stone fruit)
*Bring extra blankets or throws to snuggle with around the fire or for a chilly night
*Set aside some “mindful minutes” time.  This is what I call the time I use to be mindful & live in the present.  It has a catchy ring to it huh?  Here a few examples to get you started:
~explore mother nature through canoes or kayaks, hiking trails, or a walk around the campground
~take in everything around you: smells, sounds etc…
~disconnect from all electronics for as long as you can during your trip
~meditate
*Decorate inside & out of your camper or tent….making it cozy & fun
~add a few throw pillows & blankets can really liven the space up
~lighting is important: have fun lighting on the outside & practical lighting on the inside
~get kids involved having them come up with a few ways to give the space some life
~make it fun since fun equals cozy….the kids will love it
BONUS:
*Embrace the weather & have fun with it
~if it rains bring boots, extra clothing, & shoes.  Then lets the kids have fun it in running around & playing games
~windy days bring kites for some extra fun in the campground field
~cold days bring extra sweaters or jackets, thermal underwear & undergarments

****If you are interested in some of the above recipes, please let me know and I’ll make a post with the favorite recipes people are interested in. ****

Got any delicious camping recipes?  Or any great camping tips?  Please share them in the comment section below.

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Katherine Corner

9 Tips To Help You Capture Amazing Vacation Photos

Our vacation was great!  We explored Sebago Lake area, Naples, Boothbay & Bristol Maine.  The weather was great except for a late evening shower here and there, but who can complain about that.  11 days of exploring, camping, fun in the sun, & relaxing.
We are back home now, just in time to enjoy the last bits of summer before school starts at the end of the month…….15 days and counting.  The older I get, the quicker time moves, which of course is the opposite of what I want.  Isn’t it funny how that works?
Anyways, I had plenty of time to think about what I wanted to share here and I’ve got a great list of topics coming up.   The 1st thing I thought I would share is the different ideas that help me capture amazing vacation photos.
Now, I know some of you guys are already back to school, but for some of us, we are hanging on to the last bits of summer, with some vacations planned.  So I figured it’s a great time post.
I also needed to say that I am in way a professional, I’m what you call a hobbyist.  But I do have ideas always bouncing around in my head, that I’d be more than happy to share.  No ideas, just go looking around the internet, there’s plenty of inspiration out there.  Side note- I won’t be sharing how I edit my images, but if you are interested in knowing, please leave me a comment and I will respond to you through the comments.  If there’s interest in my editing, I would e more than happy to write post and share the different ways I edit my images using a few free or cheap editing programs.
Now with all that being said, are you ready to step up your game a little, showing off the fun times you had during vacation?  Here are my 9 tips to help you capture amazing vacation photos.

1. Concentrate on body parts/pieces
   
   
2. Get creative……..think outside the box
   
3. Candids are your best friend
   
4. Play with lighting
   
5. Use words & numbers
   
   
6.  Notice the small
   
7. Look for the unique, strange, & odd
   
   
8. Use what’s around you
   
9. Take silhouette & highlight the colors in them
   
   

Every tip works with whatever camera you use, you don’t need an expensive one to have amazing photos.  I personally use an older Nikon D200 for all my images.  Nothing fancy or expensive.  But it does the job and then some.  Remember photography is an art, which means it’s subjective & depends upon you & how you see the world around you.
As you are thinking about my tips, go out and start snapping away.  The more you use your camera, the more comfortable you’ll be, & the more creative you’ll become.  So, go out on a photo walk, see what you can see & capture.

Got any other helpful tip for you could share with us?  Or do you have a photo you would love to share?  I would love to see your vacation or any other photo that’s yours, that you find inspirational and amazing. 🙂

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Summer Scraps,

 

8 Ways To Have A Healthier Camping Experience

image taken from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/eat-healthy-camping-13948.html

Camping is great but it’s also a great way to gain a few unwanted pounds if we aren’t careful.  This year, I have been determined to have a healthier camping experience.  I didn’t want to lose all the work I’ve done, keeping my weight off.  Since we all know it’s easier to put it on than it is to get it off, I thought I would share 8 different ways to incorporate healthier ideas while camping:

1. Find local farmer’s markets or farm stands-
   when traveling always be on the lookout for stands, pick your own, & signs for farmer’s markets so you know what you have around you to choose from.  This is the 1st thing I did, when we 1st came out this area.  Lucky for us,
2. Look on Pinterest for inspiration-
   need some ideas, good old Pinterest is there to help.  Whether it’s healthy meal ideas or fun activities or camping hacks Pinterest has got you covered.  Take full advantage of  this site or a similar one before you leave.
3. Walk or ride your Bike everywhere- 
   this one tip alone has helped me shed the weight last year and is helping keeping the weight off.  We walk & sometimes bike everywhere around the campground.  We go for numerous walks a day, and I make it a point to make sure I hit my step goals each day.  So far, I’ve been way over 🙂
4. Replace junk food snacks w/ healthy alternatives- 
   this I do for each trip.  I hardly ever pack junk food because I know they will get a treat from the store and 9 times out of 10 it’s candy or something else super sugary.  Plus, I don’t want to have it around me, tempting me to eat it.  So I pack cheese n crackers, hummus, rice cakes to name a few things.  Don’t get me wrong, I do indulge here and there, I just don’t make a habit of it.
5. Stay active with your kids and/or dog- 
   this is an easy idea that some people may over look.  When your camping, your relaxing, so sometimes you aren’t as active as you can be.  For me, I try each day to do a few things with the kids, even something as simple as a walk with our dog, keeps us all active.  Because if I’m not careful, I could see myself just sitting around not being very active.
6. Track your steps–
   I have a Garmin watch I use, but there are numerous apps on your phone that will help you out.  Before tracking my steps, I wasn’t sure how much or how little I walked.  This holds me accountable and I know when I need to get off my butt.  Plus, my watch gives me little reminders throughout the day to get moving.
7. Plan meals around few healthier foods-
   Pick healthier foods like potatoes or beans or something else and create meals highlighting these items.  For example, for potatoes (sweet or regular) you could cuts them up small and toss them in a pan with corn, & some sort of meat or beans.  Viola a healthy cheap meal that will feed a crowd or leave you with leftovers to enjoy another day.  Don’t have any ideas, refer to tip #2.
8. Don’t forget to Have fun-

Got any ideas that aren’t listed to have a healthier camping experience?  I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  🙂

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Creative Home Keeper,

 

10 Fun Camping Food Ideas

In lieu of our upcoming camping trip, I thought it would be fun to do a round-up of some fun camping food I found while searching for budget friendly ideas.  Just click on the images to get to the recipe.  **Side note-The images are not mine, they are from the recipe sites.**   ~Enjoy~
Fruit Salad W/ Honey-Lime Dressing

Grilled Bananas W/ Coconut Caramel Sauce

Chocolate-Covered Watermelon Bites

Campfire Eclairs

French Toast Roll-Ups

Pineapple & Ham Skewers

Grilled Pineapple

Dark Chocolate Covered Pineapple

Mini Bun-less Cheeseburger Bites

Mexican Corn On The Cob

What’s some of your favorite camping foods?  Got any good recipes to share?

Wordless Wednesday- Ocean Adventures

Do you participate with Wordless Wednesday?  If not, why not join me for this fun link up.  Feel free to link up in the comment section with your wordless Wednesday post.

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Create With Joy, Taylor Joelle Designs, Image-in-ing, Bethere2day,

What Are Your 3 Must Have Traveling Essentials?

As your getting ready for a trip, you realize you that all your basic needs are met but it took more room than you thought.  You only have room for a few items, my question to you is:  What are 3 must have traveling essentials for your upcoming trip?  Why?  What do your choices say about you?

For me my must have traveling essentials are the things I couldn’t live without.  After looking at my choices, I realized that all my items are what I use for when I’m creating, they are all part of my creative process.  Each one brings me inspiration, which is why I couldn’t travel without them.  I guess my creative side is more important to me than I thought.  My 3 choices are:

• my camera 
• my journal
• my ipod

Now, it’s your turn, I can’t wait to see all the things you guys come up with.  Be as creative or practical as you would like.

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Create With Joy