![Hello, fall... this pumpkin spice mix is amazing in hot cocoa and coffee, and it's super simple to make. Whip up a batch and keep it in the fridge for days you don't have time to make it to the coffeeshop, and use a Dixie To Go cup from @DixieProducts to be sure you can take it with you. #CupForCrushingIt [ad] | pumpkin spice latte | pumpkin spice cocoa | pumpkin spice coffee |](http://i.imgur.com/f4QJ5OT.jpg)
I pride myself on always being on time. Even if it means leaving my house incredibly early and sitting outside a place for half an hour because I arrived too soon, I pride myself on being on time. It’s just something that was instilled in me from a young age, and it’s important to me. But sometimes things don’t go as planned… and that’s when it’s time to just totally forget everything else that’s bringing me down and Crush It.
Apples are easily my favorite thing about the fall season… growing up, fall was always the season for hot apple cider from a local cider mill, cider donuts, and just spending time with family. Not long ago, I shared one of my favorite recipes so you could make apple cider donuts at home! Today, though, I’d like to share this collection of apple themed posts from other bloggers around the web! From beauty to food to activities, these are all written by members of the Social Fabric community. I know you’re going to love them, and I hope you have a great season creating many amazing fall memories with your family.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CarnationBreakfastEssentials #CollectiveBias #sponsored
I have to admit… I really like any excuse to eat cookies for breakfast. Who doesn’t? When my mom was young, she’d sometimes make a batch of no-bake cookies to enjoy for breakfast, and I have to say, it’s not a bad idea… after all, oatmeal, peanut butter, they’re a decent start to getting what you need out of the morning. With a few tweaks, I think I’ve perfected that idea… and trust me, these are an incredibly delicious Energy Bite option that tastes just like cookies for breakfast. You don’t even need to turn on your stove or oven.
There are a few things that just say fall to me… barbecue for tailgating, regardless of which sport you support, corn mazes, and of course, apple cider donuts. A hot apple cider donut, freshly fried, with a warm cup of apple cider, is just something that screams autumn to me. I couldn’t resist making them at home.
Growing up, there was only one option when you wanted Chinese food… the menu may have had a ton of great choices, but if it wasn’t Springfield Cashew Chicken, was it even really worth ordering Chinese food? You see, traditional Cashew Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that’s stir fried in a wok, but Springfield-style Cashew Chicken combined classic American food– fried chicken– with this popular dish, and allowed a totally new recipe to take shape… and trust me, you must try it.
I love a good hearty breakfast. I also love a great dessert. And best of all, I love those dishes that can taste great no matter when you make them! This cinnamon apple bake is the perfect dessert or breakfast dish, and it’s so easy to throw together that your family will be begging for you to make it again and again.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhatMattersToU #CollectiveBias
![Give into your chocolate cravings with these molten lava cakes... chocolate, caramel, more chocolate, it's sure to make you feel better anytime you need a chocolate fix (especially that time of the month!) #WhatMattersToU [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/Yd8ksLL.jpg)
Real talk… that time of the month SUCKS, doesn’t it? I mean, we’re basically walking around trying to pretend life is totally normal, taking care of the kids, spending time with friends, doing all of the normal life stuff, all the while our body is screaming at us, cramping, and generally making us feel sucky. It’s like the main event isn’t enough, we have to throw in soreness, crabbiness, and bloating… ughhhh.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SoHoppinGood #TopYourSummer #CollectiveBias
Ahh, summertime. There’s nothing like ice cream to beat the heat in the summer, is there? Growing up, I looked forward to summer solely for the ice cream… for us, it was just a part of tradition. My great grandmother wouldn’t let an evening go by without a bowl of ice cream, and that’s a standard that I love to live up to, especially in the heat of summer… with heat indexes reaching 104 around here, you have to cool off somehow! And with these mini ice cream cakes that are upside down, you’ll have the whole family ready to cool off in no time!
One of my favorite things about summer in college was driving down south to visit my gram. While spending time with her is a treat in itself, I have fond memories of dinner and talks on the back patio with sweet sun tea. It’s simple to make– there’s only two ingredients!– and absolutely delicious.
Start with a large pitcher that will hold at least a gallon. A glass pitcher works best, but if you don’t have one on hand (I didn’t!), you can use your favorite covered pitcher.
Place 5 bags of black tea in your pitcher. I use a little piece of tape to secure the bags so they don’t just go nuts in the container. Then, pour in 2 cups of sugar.
Fill the pitcher with a gallon of water.
Then, place the pitcher outside in a sunny spot and let it steep for a few hours– I like to leave mine for 6 or so hours just to be sure it’s nice and steeped for some nice, rich flavor. The sunlight will help the sugar truly dissolve– it’ll heat up the water a bit and really help push it towards being nice and sweet without any gritty flavor you’d usually get from an iced sweet tea that didn’t get a chance to sit in the sun a bit.
Once you’ve got a nice, rich amber color, it’s time to pop your pitcher of sun sweet tea into the fridge until it’s chilled– I like to make mine the day before I’d like to serve it, but really, if you’re serving over ice it doesn’t matter too much! For me, it wasn’t a summer holiday without a little bit of sweet sun tea, and even now, I’ll enjoy some on the regular. It’s just simply so perfect– that little touch of summer charm that every family gathering needs.
Cheers and have a great 4th of July, everyone! What’s your go-to summer drink? Let me know in the comments below!
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® , Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Pop Secret, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Pop4LandB4time http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
It’s no secret… we’re big dinosaur fans around here! When we’re on the go, I have dinosaur toys in my bag to keep my kiddo entertained. But the real secret? I’m a big fan of dinosaurs, too. Growing up, I loved watching movies like The Land Before Time, and I remember in second grade when we got to pick a dinosaur to make a wire sculpture of (I picked a pterodactyl, by the way, which my son will remind me is not a dinosaur, but is actually a pterosaur). There’s just something so special about being able to share the love of Dinos with my little guy, meaning I’m always looking for a new, fun dinosaur craft or recipe to make with him!
