10 reasons to love fall

Images found here, here, here and here

Only 2 days left of Blogtember, it's going so fast! Today's prompt is the following:
Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like!

I'm interpreting this loosely, no coffee shop, but vanilla coffee at home in my living room instead of the bed (where I usually blog).

 

Here are 10 reasons why fall is awesome (in no particular order):

1. Spectacular campfires

2.  Nature is so pretty

3. Apple cider

source

This is Emma's recipe from A Beautiful Mess - I haven't tried it yet, but will asap!

Needed: 4-5 cups apple juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 3 ounces spiced rum (optional), cinnamon sticks and apple slices to garnish.

In a small pot heat the apple juice, spices and rum (if using) over low/medium heat. Stir often while the mixture is heating so the spices will blend into the juice (you don't want any spice clumps). Once it's hot pour into two mugs and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

4. Fall fashion

Images found here, here, here and here

Layers are where it's at: flannel shirts and leather jackets, dresses and cardigans, skirts with thick sweaters and cozy scarfs - and, of course, boots. Clothing heaven!

5. Knitwear

All images found on Pinterest

Knitwear deserves a mention on its own: knit sweaters, hats and scarves are sooo cozy!

6. Crockpot

Fall is the time when I start to enjoy cooking again. In the summer I never feel like slaving away in a hot kitchen, but as soon as the leaves start to turn and there's a slight chill in the air I'm in the mood for stews, soups, and roast chicken. One of my favourite slow cooker recipes is chicken stew with rosemary dumplings (from the cookbook 300 slow cooker favorites):
Soup:
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp dried rosemary
2 cups chicken stock, divided
1 cup frozen peas

Dumplings:
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten

1. In a heavy plastic bag, combine flour, salt and pepper. In batches, add chicken pieces to flour mixture and toss to coat.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until brown on all sides. Set aside.
3. Add carrots, celery, onion and rosemary to slow cooker stoneware. Set chicken pieces over vegetables.
4. Pour 1/2 cup stock into skillet and cook over medium-high heat, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Pour pan juices into slow cooker along with remaining stock.
5. Cover and cook on Low for 8-10 hours or on High for 4-6 hours, until vegetables are tender and stew is bubbling. Add peas and stir gently to combine.
6. Dumplings: In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, rosemary and salt. Ina measuring cup, combine milk and egg. Mix well and add to flour mixture. Stir with a fork to make a lumpy dough (do not overmix, lumps are fine). Drop dumpling mixture over chicken pieces. Cover and cook on High for 25-30 minutes, or until tester inserted in center of dumpling comes out clean.
Enjoy!

 7. Candles

source

Is there anything more romantic than candle light?
Nope, I didn't think so either.

8. Downton Abbey

source

I'm deeply jealous of anyone living in the UK right now because the 4th season of Downton Abbey started there. We will have to wait until the new year before we get to see it, and I can hardly wait!
I simply love this show, and Maggie Smith alone is totally worth watching it, she's marvelous.

9. Hunting/camping

Rich and I both love being outside, and we both like fresh deer meat. A match made in heaven!

10. Mulled wine

Images found here and here

That's the traditional drink you get at a German Christmas market. There's nothing better to warm you up than a steaming mug of hot, spiced wine!

What do you love about fall?

Love, Miriam