I made apple pies on Sunday...mini apple pies.  They are adorable and delicious.  I made them last year for the first time and fell in love.  I have a confession...I never used to like apple pie.  I didn't like the big chunks of apple, but I loved the crust.  True story, my best friend and I still to this day are the perfect pie eating pair.  She loves the filling, I love the crust.  We could polish off one of her grandmother's cushaw pies (similar to pumpkin in taste) by ourselves, two spoons in hand.  It's still one of my favorite memories.  It brings me back to fall in Tennessee which is one of the most beautiful places when fall rolls around.  I love all Fall things, like apple pie...

My mini apple pies have smaller chunks of apple and a good crust layer on top and bottom so they are right up my ally.  This time though, I added some amazing spiced whip cream to the top inspired from Offbeat + Inspired and let me tell ya.  It's a game changer.

Just cover me in whip cream and I'll die happy. 

You know what else I love about fall?  I love pumpkin everything.  Pumpkin bars (which I'll be sharing soon), pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin beer, pumpkin cocktails, carved pumpkins, and pumpkins that sit on mantles all cute and plump. 

I love wearing all ten of my army green jackets and boots and scarves and cozy sweaters.

There is a chill in the air and a smell that is undeniably fall.  The leaves are changing and they transform into beautiful shades of gold and orange (well in Tennessee they do), not so much in Louisiana.

I get to snuggle more with the pups and with Canean because it's chilly and I need to be close to someone.  There are red noses and cheeks and warm kisses and hugs that are somehow more special this time of year.  Maybe because I'm not sweating profusely...which is kind of unattractive...no it is unattractive.

Football is a constant background noise while I cook in the kitchen and go from room to room.  It's comfort for me in every way.

There are ciders, and hot chocolates, and hot toddies to be had around fires and with people you love.

And then there's soup....oh the soups. 

Fall means the holidays are approaching, and I get PRETTY excited about the holidays.

And for this fall in particular, I am excited for travels with Canean to Florida and New York to see close friends and about my new collaborations and business opportunities.

Lot's of good stuff happens in fall, and I'm just waiting on our "cool front" to come through this weekend so I can start making fall feel real around here.  I did buy a pumpkin and some mums that are a beautiful shade of violet, so I could get in the spirit.  And maybe I'll make soup.

So that you can jump on board with my fall love affair, here are the apple pie and whip cream recipes.  And please don't judge the apple pie link, it was one of my earliest blog posts...wow crazy to think it was almost a year ago and how far I have come.

MINI APPLE PIES: (Recipe Here)

WHIP CREAM

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 Tbsp. Granulated or Powdered Sugar
• 2 Tbsp.  Ground Cinnamon
• 1/8 Tsp. Ground Cloves
• 1/8 Tsp. Nutmeg
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix with a hand held mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until cream has thickened.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ok I've rambled on...so now it's your turn.

What are you favorite fall things?