Some of my greatest memories of the holidays growing up are actually the smells of Christmas.   My Mom always used to make potpourri on the stove top and I can distinctly remember that sweet smell that filled our house.  I created my own Christmas scent that fills our house during the holiday season.  Below is my recipe.  These also make great hostess or party favor gifts!

Potpourri Recipe

• 1 Orange
• 1 Cup Fresh Cranberries
• 2-3 Sprigs of Pine or Rosemary
• 1 Tablespoon Cloves
• 2-4 Cinnamon Sticks

*Slice orange and place in a medium saucepan with cranberries, pine, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups of water

*Simmer mixture and turn heat to low.  Your house will then smell amazing!

Most of you know by now I have a love for entertaining!  With every party I throw I like to have a themed drink!  This holiday sangria is super easy to put together especially for those last minute get togethers plus it is delicious!

Holiday Sangria Recipe

Ingredients

1 Bottle of Pinot Grigio (or other dry white wine)

1 Can of Sprite

4 Cups Apple Cider

1 Apple, diced

1 cup Cranberries

1.) Mix Wine, Sprite, and Apple Cider together and then add diced Apples and Cranberries

2.)  Chill until ready to serve

Sticky Buns

Growing up every holiday morning my Mom would make us homemade sticky buns.  I remember waking up and I could smell the sweet goodness coming from the kitchen!  I have kept the tradition going for our family and Peyton requests them all the time but I still will only make them on special occasions!

Sticky Bun Recipe  

Ingredients

Frozen Rolls (I use Rhodes)

1 Box Cook & Serve Vanilla Pudding

1 Stick of Butter

1 Cup of Brown Sugar

2 tsp. Milk

2 tsp. Cinnamon

Nuts (Optional)

1.) Spray bunt pan with Pam

2.)  On stove top bring Butter, Pudding, Brown Sugar, Milk, and Cinnamon to a boil over medium heat

3.)  Pour hot mixture into bunt pan and place 15-20 frozen rolls around the pan

4.)  Cover with Cling Wrap that has been sprayed with Pam and let rise overnight

5.)  Bake @ 350 for 35-40 minutes (I typically cover the pan with foil until the last 10-15 minutes)

I’ve said this before but fall is my favorite time of year!  We love doing fall family activities every weekend.  I’ve put together a list of family fun events to do this pumpkin season!  I will be updating it throughout the season!

HallowBoo at Idlewild

One of our favorite family fall fun activities is HallowBoo at Idlewild!  We haven’t been in 2 years (the boys are so little here) but we are planning to go next weekend!  Idlewild is famous for their Storybook Forest which walks you through all the famous nursery rhymes.  For HallowBoo the kids can trick-or-treat through the forest and collect treats along the way!

After they are finished trick-or-treating the whole family can enjoy the rides in the park!  Below is a list of dates and times they are open this season.

HallowBoo

Dates:  Saturdays and Sundays October 5th-27th

Time:  Gates and Storybook Forest open at 11:30/Rides open at 12:00PM- 6:00PM

https://www.idlewild.com/

Happy Hauntings at Kennywood

Kennywood has Halloween fun for kids geared towards 10 and under with Happy Hauntings!  Kids can trick-or-treat through Kiddieland and ride their favorite rides.  There is also hayrides and corn maze!

Happy Hauntings

Dates:  Saturday and Sundays October 5th-27th

Times:  12:00PM-4:00PM

Happy Hauntings

Simmons Farm Hay Ride

Simmons Farm Apple Picking & Hayrides

Fall events at Simmons Farm start Saturday September 14th

Monday-Thursday:  9:00AM-6:45PM

Friday-Sunday:  9:00AM-5:45PM

Activities Include:

• Hayride
• Pick your own pumpkin
• Apple picking
• Petting Zoo
• Pick your own flowers

Simmons Farm

Trax Farms

Fall Festival Dates & Times: 

Saturday and Sunday’s September 28th-October 27th

10:00AM-5:00PM

Activities Include:

• Hayrides
• Pick your own pumpkin
• Corn Maze
• Bounce House
• Live Music
• Food Trucks

Trax Farms

Soergel Orchards

Fall Festival Dates & Times:

Saturdays and Sundays September 21st-October 27th

11:00AM-5:00PM

Friday Night Hayrides Dates & Times:

Friday September 27th- Friday October 25th

4:00PM-7:00PM

Soergel Orchards

Triple B Farms

Pick Your Own Apples & Sunflowers Dates & Times

Saturdays and Sundays starting September 7th

10:00AM-4:00PM

Fall Festival Dates & Times

Saturdays and Sundays starting September 21st

10:00AM-5:00PM

Activities Include:

• Pick your own pumpkins
• Apple picking
• Face painting
• Sunflower picking
• Build your own scarecrow

Triple B Farms

Fall is my favorite time of year from the crisp fall days filled with lots of beautiful color to the comfort foods that fill your tummy!  Here are some of my favorite fall recipes that I love to make every fall!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Ingredients

1 Can Pumpkin

1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 Container of Cool Whip

1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon

Directions

1.)  Mix together Pumpkin, Vanilla Pudding, Cool Whip, and Pumpkin Pie Spice with a mixer

2.)  Place in fridge for at least 1 hour to chill

3.)  Sprinkle ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon on top

4.)  Serve with Nilla Wafers, Graham Crackers, or Apple Slices

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp Recipe Courtesy of:  If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen

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