Cider Mills, Country Roads and Caramel Apples...

living in Florida is pretty nice...

most of the time.

but i figure after living here for 16 years, 

it's time to give credit where credit is due.

nothing beats fall in michigan...

or places like it "UP NORTH".

 (Petoskey, Mi)

and everything is up north when you live in

south florida:)
even the hospitals get into it...
here is my mom at an apple cart in the hospital cafeteria.

 it was so neat, i couldn't resist a picture:)

growing up there, i figure i have to share a few

favorites with you so here goes...

 a mini list of things you MUST do

if you go up north in the fall...

~go on a HAYRIDE

 ~drive...just get in the car and drive...

preferably down a COUNTRY road.

you'll see GORGEOUS colors everywhere as the 

leaves change.

~head up to northern michigan...

petoskey, mackinac island, traverse city...

 go on, just head north!

~ pop into Frankenmuth where they will say

WILLKOMEN (welcome in German)

and you will STUFF yourself at the Bavarian inn.

don't forget a visit to Bronners for your

first Christmas ornament of the year;)

~JUMP in the leaves.

go ahead...you're never too old!
and while you're there, make "leaf angels"
and have a leaf fight! haha

~stop at the nearest pumpkin patch

~and okay,  i have learned that college football

in the SEC (south) IS the equivalent of a national holiday...

and i am NOT exaggerating.

however, there is no stadium like

THE BIG HOUSE in Ann Arbor,

home of the Univ. of Michigan wolverines.

(ahem...it's ginormous...114,000+ watched a game Sept. 10,

that's why it's called the BIG house,

in case you didn't pick that up:)

~and my FAVORITE way to spend a Sunday afternoon

"up north"...

visit a cider mill!

 i happen to love Parshallville because that was closest

to me but they are all over. 

here we are at one near my sister's house.

you can't help but have a AMAZING day.

  

besides the CHARM of an old mill,

 the  red, crisp, delicious apples...

 there are the DONUTS!!!!!!!!

 omg...life doesn't get any better than a fresh,WARM

donut from the donut mill.

here is a link for homemade apple cider donuts...

or you can make the simple, easy version here...

you won't believe how easy and YUMMY they are!

(trust me on that:) the recipe is from one of my favorite sites,
southern plate.com and as they say...
they are "FOOLPROOF"
and NO, they do not taste like biscuits,
even though you make them with a can of biscuits:)
here is the recipe...

Melt In Your Mouth Doughnuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ten count can Texas style buiscuits (or your preference, just not flaky layers)
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 stick margarine, melted
• Vegetable Oil For Frying

Instructions

1. Pour oil into skillet to the depth of a little less than 1/2 an inch and heat on medium to medium high for about five minutes. In a bowl, melt margarine. In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar.
2. Using a plastic bottle cap, cut the center out of each biscuit. Drop dough into hot oil, watching carefully and turning when golden. Once doughnuts are golden on both sides, remove to paper towel lined plate. Repeat until all dough is cooked, including doughnut holes.
3. Dip both sides of each doughnut into melted margarine, then press both sides into cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm.
4. don't make them while you are home alone...you might eat them ALL! hahaha

and another cool idea for a party...

donuts on a stick in hot cocoa, cider...

 (from wedfully.)

as far as apple treats go, instead of a giant 

caramel apple that, while good, are sometimes a pain to eat,

how about CARAMEL APPLE BITES.

 i am soooooo making these for football saturday!

thank you Taste of Home for the tip.

okay, here i was planning a short post today.

tough for me to do:)

i'll post my giveaway later today or tomorrow.

like a hint? 

RUFFLES!!!!!

XOXOXOXO

Suzanne