It’s fall, though the temps have us back to rocking flip flops and tank tops. We’re in favor of summer taking a slow stroll to transition into fall.
Fall colors are beginning! It’s rather early (mid October is average central MN peak) which means October will be sporting spooky naked trees (all the better for Halloween!)
The North Shore is peaking (yellow to orange range is typically peak and best colors). If you get a chance, head up north this weekend and see the colors for yourself! St. Cloud and Minneapolis are still in the green, though by next week this could totally change!
What happens if we miss the fall colors? Then we quest for golden grasses, pine trees or head inward to the city for some alleys and brickwork that stays classic year round.
Atomic Collars is in progress of being relocated, a slow process but sewing and cutting will resume in the next week!
Today is National Apple Dumpling Day and National Monte Cristo Day!
Monte Cristos…. drool! Totally not a dog friendly recipe (mega sweet!) and Apple Dumplings also fall into the too sweet for pups category.
Instead opt for some Baked Apple Chips or Baked Apples!
Baked Apple Chips
Ingredients
- 1 apple - Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala or Honeycrisp work well
Instructions
- Wash & dry apple.
- Slice, remove core and seeds. Thinner slices will need less cooking time, thicker slices will need more cooking time.
- Place apples on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour.
- Flip and bake for an additional hour. The longer you bake them the crisper they will get!
- Allow to fully cool in the oven. When the oven is cool, remove the crisps.
- Enjoy! (You can eat them too!)
Notes
Baked Apples for Dogs
Ingredients
- 2 apples - use ones good for baking (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Braeburn)
- 1/3 cup honey
- juice of half of a small lemon
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Peel and core apples.
- Cut into 1/4 inch thick slices.
- In a small bowl, whisk honey, cinnamon and lemon juice together.
- Dip apple slices into the honey mixture.
- Place on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until apples are baked through and golden brown.
- Cool and enjoy! (Yes you can eat them too!)
Notes
If you make them, let me know what your dogs think of them!
Enjoy this lovely stretch of weather and keep an eye on those leaves! Catch you next Friday with the color update!