First week of Fall – Five on Friday

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hooray it is FRIYAY!  Sharing Five different topics today…

Contains affiliate links.

Oktoberfest 

Tomorrow I’m hosting an Oktoberfest party with my family. I’m so excited!  

I have posted lots of content about Oktoberfest on the blog, so be sure to check it out here.

Halloween

Can I just say that every year I find myself liking Pottery Barn’s Halloween porch?

 Also spotted these at pottery barn: buffalo check mug set

Lit Pumpkin Wreath

Outlander

Do you watch the Outlander TV series on Starz?  I do!!! I’m so excited about season 3.  It is based on the third book, Voyager.  That book was my second favorite book. My favorite book of the series was the first one.

Cute Antique Mall Booth

I thought this booth in a local antique mall was pretty cute.

Christmas

Oh, and also… Christmas!! Yes!  Spotted these at a store too, aren’t they cute???

I know it is a bit early but I’ve been thinking about Christmas already.  Mainly because I am *hopefully* going to be moving into my new house which has in the living room 14′ ceilings which means I have to get a new Christmas tree (because obviously) so I’m been keeping my eye out on flocked Christmas trees to go on sale… anyway… 

 Almost bought this snowman for my porch, but I have no where to store it right now, so I have to wait… grrrr. it’s okay, it is a little early any way!!

Where I Party


http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Follow:

8 Fall Apple Recipes and Thursday Favorite Things!

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello everyone!!


I am so excited to announce that I am returning to hosting Thursday Favorite Things Link Party!!

I mentioned in June I was going to be taking a Summer hiatus.  Now I’m back with the first week of Fall!  


This past week there were tons of apple recipes!  It is apple season, after all!

8 Fall Apple Recipes to Try Now!

In celebration of my return hosting, I have redesigned my features graphic! 

First though, here’s what I’ve shared recently on the blog:

Cozy and Romantic Fall Tablesetting || Fall Home Tours of 30 Bloggers  

Top 12 Best Fall Scented Candles  || French Farmhouse Fall Home Tour

Now, onto this week’s features: 

Apple pie stuffed apples – The Kittchen 

Apple Pie and Cheesecake Jars – Rosemary and Thyme

Autumn Apple Cake – Nancy On the Home Front

Apple Crumble in a Jar – Home cooking Memories

 Slow Cooker Caramel Pecan Baked Apples – Growing Up Gabel

Apple Cream Cheese Danish Bread – Little House Living

Apple Spice Cake – Annie’s Home

Washington Apple Crisp – Simply Darrling

 Frosted Apple Cinnamon Snack Cake – Delightful E Made


We love all of your posts and enjoy visiting you – there is something for everyone at this party!

Don’t forget to check out our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board 


I pin my features for the week to our board as well as many others! Make sure your posts have a high quality pin that screams “pin me!”


The party is starts on THURSDAYS at 6AM PST! 

Please take the time to stop by ALL of your hostesses!

Thursday favorite things hostess

nina CollageThursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

angelina collage

Thursday Favorite Things blog hop co-hostess
Eclectic Red Barn



If the link party doesn’t load right away, just click “An InLinkz Link-up” Below.


An InLinkz Link-up



SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave

Follow:

Top 12 Best Scented Candles for Fall

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

*Updated September 2019!*

The best scented candles for Fall all in one place! I absolutely love Fall and find that I start this time of year burning candles almost every single night up until Spring!
I thought I would share my favorite Fall candles with you all since I consider myself a candle connoisseur.

Nest Pumpkin Chai Candle  – Notes of wild pumpkin, spicy masala chai, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. I love this candle but it is a bit speedy.

Diptyque Feu de Bois – one of the most unique smelling candles and a favorite! This sophisticated blend of rare woods recalls the crackling of an open fire.

Diptyque Amber  – I love this amber candle too! A warm and elegant procession of the woods vetiver and patchouli, enhanced with radiant aniseed, insolent spices, mysterious incense, cistus and Tonka bean.

Yankee Candle Autumn Wreath – there is a large following of Yankee Candle lovers, and with their price point and large selection of scents, it is easy to see how it is favorite.  This Autumn wreath candle smells of autumn leaves and cinnamon apples.

Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin – a captivating scent of pumpkins baked in simmering spices of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.  I have not personally burned this one because I am not a huge spice pumpkin candle fan, but it does smell really nice if that is your jam!

Bath and Body Works Marshmallow Fireside– Like Yankee Candle, there is a large Bath and Body works following too.  I love the Marshmallow Fireside candle and actually burn it until February! It smells of Toasted Marshmallow, Smoldering Woods, Fire Roasted Vanilla, and Crystallized Amber.

Bath and Body Works Leaves – another Fall favorite as it smells of Crisp Red Apple, Golden Nectar, and Warm Clove Spice.

Bath and Body Works Autumn – A nice fresh scent for fall, it smells ofRed Gala Apple, Juicy Fig, Eucalyptus Leaf, Fir Balsam.


Bath and Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin – Now I mentioned that I don’t usually care for pumpkin spice candles themselves, however this one has a stronger scent of cinnamon and I love it. Smells like pumpkin bread, or per the website: harvest Pumpkin, Spiced Clove, Vanilla Cream, Brown Sugar

Voluspa Baltic Amber – Baltic Amber blends notes of amber resin, sandalwood, cedar and vanilla bloom. It is one of Voluspa’s top sellers, and when you burn it you’ll know why.  Great candle, and it’s American made.

Voluspa Bourbon Vanilla – smells of fragrant vanilla beans.  Reminiscent of baking.

Jo Malone English Oak and Redcurrant – This candle is new this year.  “Heart Note: Rose, as the fragrance unfurls, this opulent floral, with its spicy, honey facets wraps the scent with sumptuous texture. Base Note: Roasted Oak, a warm and compelling woody note that gives the addictive quality of roasted oak. The forest at dawn. The juicy bite of redcurrant. The zest of green mandarin. The freshness of rose softened with white musk.” I have not personally burned it, but I have played around with the cologne in the store and thought – oh, it would be perfect as a candle!

best scented candles for fall

SaveSave

SaveSave

Follow:

Cozy and Romantic Fall Table Setting

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Sit down, grab your pumpkin spice latte this morning, and let’s have a look at my cozy and romantic Fall table setting.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

 

When I was looking for inspiration for my Fall table this year, I saw this beautiful tartan throw and instantly found my color palette!

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

Last year I was inspired by an antique paisley shawl.  It seems I am finding my color palette inspiration from nontraditional table cloths – shawls and throws!

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

I mentioned in my Fall Home Tour last week how I used to be an orange hater.  Yes, I have had these orange Juliska plates for several years, but that is the only orange thing I have owned.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

But then this year I’ve expanded my collection of Juliska and have been using these blue plates intermittently this year.

 

When I pulled my orange plates out of storage and set them on top of the blue plates, I knew I had a winning combination.

 

Don’t you love how the orange pumpkins go with the pretty delft blue?

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

Do you dine with candlelight?

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

I love these dripping candles on the antique English open barley twist candlesticks.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

Adding the lit candles make this table feel extra cozy and warm.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

All of the warmer dark woods in the room are so perfect for Fall – I predict, by the way, that darker woods will be making a comeback here soon.  But that’s another blog post on its own!

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

I couldn’t stop snapping pictures of this photogenic table.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

 

This year we tried to grow these Jarrahdale pumpkins – every year we’ve been successful except this year. They are just not growing. So I found these at the local farmer’s market.

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

cozy and romantic Fall table setting

Shop my Fall Favorites below:

I may earn a small commission if you purchase with these links

no products

Follow:

Fall Decor and Entertaining – Day 5 Blogger Home Tours

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Today is the LAST day of the Fall Decor and Entertaining Blogger Home tours!! 

It has been a wonderful week full of great inspiration for all decor styles!

I have been so impressed with everyone’s beautiful homes, so hopefully you all will be too!

Today we have eight bloggers opening their doors for their virtual home tours.

So grab your maple pecan latte, sit down, and let’s start…

Kim at Kim Power Style – her gorgeous house is filled with light and airy neutrals and beautiful pops of color. 

Lynn at Back to the South – A belle from the South with a house of darling decor! 

Lynn at Living Large in a Small House – she has beautiful traditional decor in her house which she calls her peaceful sanctuary. 

Wanda at From House to Home – she does not follow one design style because her style is every changing, but she loves sparkle and shades of blue! 

Jeannee at Centsably Creative – see a bold and colorful take on Fall with bling and jewel tones! 

Dannyelle at Life is a Party – You’ll be swooning over her rustic Scandinavian Fall style. 

Jessica at The Organized Mama –  Her modern farmhouse style is right on-trend and sure to win the hearts of many! 

Michelle at Our Crafty Mom – Lover of neutral palettes, see how she transforms her vintage farmhouse style for Fall.

Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane


Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms


Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life


Thursday


Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme


Friday


Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Follow:

Fall Decor and Entertaining – Day 4 Blogger Home Tours

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Grab your mug of apple cider and pumpkin scone and let’s head straight into day 4 of the Fall home blogger tours!

If you are just joining us, welcome!   We are in the middle of touring almost 30 different bloggers’ Fall homes! You’ll find great entertaining and decor ideas here with something for everyone’s style.

Emy at Semigloss Design – a self-proclaimed DIY addict with an eclectic bohemian decor style.

Christene at Keys to Inspiration – See how she has added Fall touches to her modern classic decor style.

Olivia at Reinvented Collection – Her beautiful French country and old-world European decor transformed for Fall will have you swooning.

 Leanna at Of Fairies and Fauna – See how she adds bling and feminine touches to themed Fall decor.

Janet at Rosemary and Thyme – Her romantic decor is sprinkled with wonderful antiques.


Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane


Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms


Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life


Thursday


Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme


Friday


Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

Follow:

Fall Decor and Entertaining – Day 3 Blogger Home Tours

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Alright, today is day THREE of a week of blogger’s home tours!

I am loving all of the inspiration!

Let’s grab our pumpkin spice lattes and start looking at today’s home tours!!

Maddie at The Whimsy One – Eclectic decorating with mid-century modern touches

Dru at PolkaDot Poplars – see how she brings her Fall farmhouse style to life!

Robin at a Home to Grow Old In – she moved into a 90-year-old Tudor style home and has beautiful transitional decor. 

Paula at Virginia Sweet Pea – her vintage traditional decor will make you feel cozy and right at home!

Rebeca at Lincluden Cottage Life – See how she decorates her beautiful traditional style home for Fall!

Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane


Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms


Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life


Thursday


Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme


Friday


Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave

Follow:

Fall Decor and Entertaining – Day 2 Blogger Home Tours

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Today is day TWO of the Fall Decor and Entertaining blogger home tours!

Who’s excited to see what inspiration is waiting for us today??? *me!*

We’ve got FIVE bloggers sharing their Fall homes today. 

Let’s get started…

Denise at Frazzled Joy – although her blog is called Frazzled Joy, I would describe her decorating style as rustic tranquility! She loves DIY and crafts. 

Kelly at North Country Nest – if you love rustic farmhouse style, then you will love their home tour!

Dara at Hood Creek Log Cabin – see her beautiful log cabin decorated with touches of Fall.

Sue at A Purdy Little House  – she is a thrifter and DIYer with a beautiful fun Fall home! 

Angelina at Peonies & Orange Blossoms (that’s me!) – a French country farmhouse Fall tour.

Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane

Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life

Thursday

Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme

Friday


Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

SaveSave

Follow:

French Country Farmhouse Fall Decor – A Fall Home Tour

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

This week I am thrilled to be participating in a week of fabulous Fall Home Tours and I’m sharing my Farmhouse Fall decor!

Now, if you were paying attention yesterday, I accidentally hit “post” and so some of you (well, 37 of you!) saw my tour already. Whoops. Too many things going on right now with organizing these tours!!

We are sharing tons of inspiration for Fall Decor and Entertaining!  If you are joining from Hood Creek Log Cabin, welcome!

Fall Home Tour 2017

I was ecstatic when I found this antique goat cart this Summer and knew immediately that I would be filling it with pumpkins this Fall!
Post contains affiliate links.

 

The Dining Room

I was inspired by cozy Fall evenings when I was setting this table.

 

Except, it was 100 degrees the day I shot this picture! Ha!  Well, a little turn to the left with the AC made it more Fall-like in the house!

I used a tartan throw as my tablecloth.  I have a blanket problem, such that, I own too many.  But I use them for other things too- such as tablecloths!  Mini boo pumpkins pop against the blue plates.

This year my husband noted that I had a new-found love of the color orange.  I used to always hate orange – but starting with my Spring French Country table this year and now with my Fall French country table, I find that the oranges go so well with the French blues! They are the opposite sides of the color wheel, after all!

On the antique French buffet sits my beloved collection of velvet pumpkins.

 

I just love the colors of these pumpkins! The big blue pumpkin is new to me this year.

I love the look of these pumpkins with the Spanish moss in this antique urn- the various textures in this picture are interesting!

The Kitchen

My woodland owls perched themselves on the kitchen island once again.

The scent of sweet cinnamon pumpkin fills the air.

The owls are flanked by dried wheat bundles, antique transferware and Staffordshire dogs.   I suppose I should call this “French Country Fall with touches of English Country”.  I noticed bits of antique English here and there.

This squirrel nut bowl stays out year round but these cute woodland napkins add an extra touch of Fall!

 

The squirrel guarding his nuts… I just love this nut bowl!

The Living Room

Touches of Fall are tucked into this antique secretary.

 

Sometimes I think about painting this antique English secretary – it would look very Swedish if I did!

 

In the living room, the scent of wood fire fills the air.  I love this Feu de Bois candle for the Fall and Winter!

 

I used freshly clipped olive tree sprigs on this year’s Fall mantel.  Mini topiaries and pumpkins are perfect for this French country mantle!

 

The dough bowl has been moved to the coffee table and is filled with heirloom pumpkins.  In previous years I have been using it as the centerpiece on my table, but I decided to switch things around and moved it here!

 

Chloé the cat decided to join the photoshoot.

I have my tea tray set out.  I have been thinking about my favorite pumpkin spice tea, although it is much too hot to serve today!

 

Another vignette of velvet pumpkins sits on top of this antique Swedish piece.

 

I just love the velvet corn!

At night, this room glows with candle light.  The candles are faux, but I love their timers – they pop on every night for 6 hours and provide nice ambiance at night.

 

…And back outside we go. A last look at my little goat cart!

Thank you for joining me on my French country Fall home tour this year!

French Country Farmhouse Fall Decor Ideas

Shop my Fall Favorites below:

I may earn a small commission if you purchase with these links

no products

Be sure to check out all of the other fabulous bloggers in this Fall Entertaining and Decor Blog Tour! Lots of wonderful inspiration for all different types of styles!!

Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane

Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life

Thursday

 

Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme

Friday

 

Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

 

SaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave

SaveSave

Follow:

Fall Decor and Entertaining – Day 1 Blogger Home Tours

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

I am so thrilled to be announce the first day of our Fall Decor and Entertaining Blogger Home Tours!!!

We have 28 bloggers participating!  There are lots of different decor styles here – you will certainly find something that fits your taste!

Kicking off the week of tours is Cindy at DIY Beautify.  Tons of DIY inspiration and budget friendly ways to beautify your home!

Summer at Raising a Farmhouse – she loves all things farmhouse and adds a vintage romantic vibe to that style.

Mimi at Unlikely Martha – Mimi is a Southern Belle and has the home and fashion sense that goes right along with that.

Larissa at the Welch House – She loves romantic French country, Victorian and Gustavian style decor. She is primarily an Instagrammer, @larissa_jenkins, but guest posts her home tours at Reinvented Collection.

Megan at Life on Shady Lane – see how she adds a modern touch to farmhouse style.

That concludes the first day of blog tours! 

Monday

DIY Beautify || Raising a Farmhouse || Unlikely Martha || The Welch House || Life on Shady Lane


Tuesday

Frazzled Joy || North Country Nest || A Purdy Little House || Hood Creek Log Cabin || Peonies & Orange Blossoms


Wednesday

The Whimsy One || Polka Dot Poplars || A Home to Grow Old In || Virginia Sweet Pea || Lincluden Cottage Life


Thursday


Semigloss Design || Keys to Inspiration || Reinvented Collection || Of Fairies and Fauna || Rosemary and Thyme


Friday


Kim Power Style || Back to the South || Living Large in a Small House || From House to Home || Centsably Creative || Life is a Party || The Organized Mama ||  || Our Crafty Mom

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Follow:

The Best Boots for Fall 2017

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Sharing this years top Fall boots!
I’ve rounded up boots, booties, and over-the-knee boots!
this post contains affiliate links. 

Boots

Steve Madden Women’s Troopa Combat Boots • $79.98

Born Avala Boots Women’s Shoes • $200 

Dr. Martens ‘1460 W’ Boot  $124.95 

Naturalizer Rozene Knee High Boot •  $198.95 

I own these – I love them! Women’s Hunter Original High Gloss Boot •$150 

Born Riding Boot •  $179.90 

I own these – they were great for rainy days! Women’s Bean Boots by L.L.Bean, 8″ •  $129 

I own the bootie version – they are so comfy! Frye ‘Melissa Button’ Leather Riding Boot • $249.90 

Booties

Women’s Sarto By Franco Sarto Paisley Bootie • $129.95 

Jeffrey Campbell ‘Calhoun’ Cutout Bootie • $240

Rialto Payton Booties Women’s Shoes • $59

I bought these this year – a total splurge, but I love them!!Stuart Weitzman Pearl Bacari $599

Vince Camuto Talorini Lace-Up Combat Booties Women’s Shoes • $179

Ugg Lars Ankle Booties •  $225

I own a similar version, they are so comfy and warm! Ugg Bailey Bling Mini Booties •  $185

Sam Edelman Millard Lace-Up Boots • Sam Edelman • $148

Over-the-Knee Boots

Steal version: Charles by Charles David Ollie Stretch Over-The-Knee Boots • $159 

Splurge version: Women’s Stuart Weitzman ‘Lowland’ Over The Knee Boot • $798

Where I Party


http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/

Follow:

Tips for Fall Entertaining

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

What I love about the change of seasons is also the change of flavors and scents…

Cinnamon and nutmeg now fill the air…

And you can dine inside or outside!

I have a few tips for Fall entertaining.

1. Develop a theme

Developing a theme for your party is fun!  It can be… an ingredient (pumpkin!), a color palette, or as simple as being inspired by Fall foliage from your garden.

2. Serve a Fall drink

Apple cider, pumpkin spice latte, Mexican hot chocolate, pumpkin spice tea… to name a few.

3. Dine Outside

You can start serving appetizers outside and when the temperatures drop in the evening, either bring your party inside or bring some blankets!

4. Always have sweets

Bake a pie, or a cake, or macarons.

If you don’t have time to bake from scratch, use a mix. Like I did. I used a pumpkin chocolate chip pumpkin bread mix. Shh! Don’t tell!

This way, when your guests come over, the scent of Fall spices linger in the air…

Follow:

Home Tours, Shop announcement, Game of Thrones and more – 5 on Friday

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Blogger Home Tours

If you haven’t noticed on the side bar to the right, I am organizing and participating in Fall Decor and Entertaining Blogger Home Tours!

There are about 30 bloggers participating in the tours!

Fall Scents

This past weekend I went to Bath and Body Works and stocked up on a few fall scents.

Autumn – Bright Red Gala Apple, Juicy Fig, Eucalyptus Leaf, Fir Balsam

Autumn Woods – Dark Walnut, English Lavender, White Amber

Sweet cinnamon pumpkin – Harvest Pumpkin, Spiced Clove, Vanilla Cream, Brown Sugar

Peonies and Orange Blossoms’ Shop

I have also opened a shop of my curated favorites for home decor, outfits, and for holiday seasons. This is where you can find some of my most used items that I talk about and other favorites.  Be sure to check it out here!

Behind the Scenes of Baking

So I made this pretty salted caramel apple pie and I had to share with you what really happened when I was baking this pie.

I was holding the dutch oven pot and stirring the apples while they cooked.  I was wearing the oven mitt so I wouldn’t burn my hand because the dutch oven is a cast iron pan.

After I was done stirring, I took the mitt off and I thought I saw a flame, then I thought no, then I did a double take and the answer was… yes! The oven mitt is on fire!  So I hit it against the counter and then into the sink.  I felt so silly having caught it on fire – I guess I put the oven mitt too close to the gas flames on the stove when I was holding the pot.

And that is the tale of my salted caramel apple pie.

Game of Thrones Season Recap/Finale Thoughts

If you haven’t finished the 7th season, do not proceed!

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

Let’s first start with what we all knew was going to happen – we all knew that the penultimate season finale would end with the wall coming down, right?  Because obviously the final season of GoT will be fighting the white walkers, right? 

With the revelations about who Jon Snow really is, I now think that Jon Snow will be the one ultimately sitting on the iron throne and not Dany.  Sorry Dany. And I also think once Jon learns his true identity, his relationship with Dany will change as I don’t think he is into the incest thing.

Here’s where I have a problem with GoT – the ice dragon. I’m sorry, I just can’t buy into it.  What the heck is the ice dragon shooting from it’s mouth? Ice? Blue flames? No. I’m sorry, it just doesn’t work. I can get into dragons and the army of undead (but if I start to think about how zombies can fight without muscle mass, then I start to get upset again), but dead dragons shooting blue flames? A little too much fantasy for my taste! Also, a dragon can’t fly with holes in its wings either.

Where I Party


http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/

SaveSaveSaveSave

Follow:

4 Free Fall Printables

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello! I am so excited to share these Fall printables that I created.  

And the best part is that they are FREE.  

I wanted to create something as a thank you for my readers – if you are an email subscriber you already received in your inbox two exclusive printables.

You see, I bought an iPad Pro and I had so much fun drawing and creating this printables with it.  

I created four different styles that should appeal to all tastes.

Click Here to Download the Free Printables

Where I Party


http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com/

Follow:

Pretty Salted Caramel Apple Pie and Recipe

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

A pretty salted caramel apple pie is what I have in my mind today.  I love apple pie.

It might be my favorite pie.

 I wanted to try making a lattice top pie – I had never done that before! I watched this video on how to do it!

Then I thought, oh let me add some pretty roses from the garden to the top of my pie.

Don’t the roses look pretty? I had to make sure I shook all of the little bugs off!

Maybe one or two got out… who knows…

Then I thought, how can I improve my apple pie? How about…. drizzle some homemade salted caramel sauce on it.

Oooh, yes. Here it is. Still hot from cooking on the stove.

Go ahead and drizzle that all over the top.

The BEST apple pie recipe: (printable version here)

For the dough:

    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 2 tsp. granulated sugar
    • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
    • 3 to 4 Tbsp. ice water

For the filling:

    • 2 lb. Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into slices 1/4 inch
    •   thick
    • 2 lb. Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored and cut into slices 1/4 inch thick
    • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
    • 4 tsp. cornstarch
    • 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
    • 1 egg white, beaten with 1 tsp. water
    • 2 tsp. granulated sugar

Directions:

To make the dough  (Now, if you are going to do a lattice top, you need to double the recipe): In a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and granulated sugar together until combined, about 5 pulses. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 pulses. Add 3 Tbs. of the ice water and pulse 2 or 3 times. The dough should hold together when squeezed with your fingers but should not be sticky. If it is crumbly, add more water 1 tsp. at a time, pulsing twice after each addition. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, divide in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap the disks separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half of the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fold the dough in half and then into quarters and transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish. Unfold and gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim the edges flush with the rim of the dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a large sheet of lightly floured parchment paper, roll out the remaining dough disk into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Using leaf pie cutters, cut out as many leaves as your heart desires. Refrigerate the cutouts for 30 minutes (I actually did not do this step this time and instead cut them out and immediately put them on top of the apples).

Meanwhile, make the filling: In a large Dutch oven, stir together the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cornstarch. Set over medium heat, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until the liquid has thickened and become glossy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven, place a baking sheet on the rack and preheat the oven to 400°F.

Let the pie shell, lattice top and leaf cutouts stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Transfer the apple filling to the pie shell, then gently invert the lattice top over the pie. Trim the edges flush with the rim of the dish and press the top and bottom crusts together to seal. Brush the underside of the leaf cutouts with egg wash and gently press them onto the edges of the piecrust, overlapping the leaves slightly. Decorate as desired with the remaining leaves. Brush the entire top crust with egg wash and sprinkle with the granulated sugar.

Place the pie dish on the preheated baking sheet. Bake until the crust is crisp and golden brown, about 1 hour, covering the edges with aluminum foil if they become too dark. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving. Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

To get the Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe, click here.

It is from David Lebovitz.

I did not have salted butter so I added 1 tsp of salt to my caramel.

The salted caramel was delicious! DELICIOUS.  I used it in my latte the next day – yum! Oh, also tastes good with vanilla ice cream.

I’d love it if you’d pin this:Pretty Salted Caramel Apple Pie and Recipe

 

SaveSave

Follow:

From the Shop

I may earn a small commission if you purchase with these links

Caning Natural Tote Handbag - Universal Thread™
The Hustler High Waist Fray Hem Ankle Bootcut Jeans
Le Panier Pliage Raffia Crossbody Bag
Extra Large Le Pliage Panier Tresse Straw Tote
The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve
T Monogram Perforated Leather Bucket Bag
Mellow Stud Mule
Le Pliage Marinière Recycled Nylon Canvas Travel Bag
Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA+++
Maxine Stripe Cotton Button-Up Shirt
Citizens of Humanity Charlotte High Rise Straight Jeans
Navy Equestrian Traversee M Linen Tote
Cream Carrie Blouse
Ellison Natural
Jolene High Rise Vintage Slim
Citizens of Humanity Blue Jolene Jeans
Charlotte High Rise Straight Jeans
Le Pliage Filet Top Handle Bag
Vintage cotton crewneck T-shirt
Air Heart Sunglasses
Le Pliage Torchon XS Top Handle Bag With Strap
Santorini Raffia Basket Bag
Chuck Taylor® All Star® Lift High Top Platform Sneaker
Please note that I use ShopSense, LIKETOKNOW.it, Shareasale and Amazon affiliate links on this site. This means using them for purchases won’t cost you extra but may earn me a small commission.  Our full disclosure is available for viewing under About in the disclosure policy.
All rights reserved. Our graphics, images and text are all subject to copyright protection.