Valentine's Day

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I love Valentine's Day. I love celebrating this holiday with a growing Ingrid. I love the simplistic nature of the day: make a card, cook a delicious meal and eat sugar (natch).

Since having Ingrid, I've embraced the holiday with open arms. It's know longer about a "fancy" homemade meal or dinner out with Dan. Last week, I spent a solid 15 minutes at Walgreens picking out a card for Ingrid. Then, I remembered she's not even two and anything with some sort of pony/kangaroo will work.

This year, Ingrid has taken a liking to pink M&Ms (and, M&Ms in general) and pointing out anything heart-shaped. It's incredible to watch that little face light-up, point and shout whatever she's identified: "HEARTS! RAIN! M&MS! DUCK! BUS! More M&Ms?"

I know the holiday gets a bad rap because of all of the above-mentioned "love-festness," but we all have someone, to be grateful for: wonderful parents, grandparent, friends who can make us laugh. If all else fails, there's always something magical about a night of online shopping with vodka tonics. It's a win-win combination.

For those of you who are embracing the holiday this year, I've created a Pinterest board with my favorite cards, decor and sweets treats. Check out the Heart-Shaped Bacon (Yes.) and Red-Hot Buttercream frosting (Ok, sounds great.) Is there any better way to say "I love you?" Probably, but meat and frosting can't hurt.

This year, we're celebrating simply by making the grandparent's cards and creating a semi-special breakfast-for-dinner meal. Breakfast for dinner is nostalgic, casual and somehow, exciting. It's like breaking a rule. Orange juice in the evening? Pancakes in the dark. I've really been into everything on SkinnyTaste.com and I'm excited to try these festive Red Velvet Pancakes for dinner.

What's on your Valentine's Day menu? 

What fun traditions do you celebrate with your family or friends? 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been a favorite. Dan and I typically spend the day together before all of the Christmas craziness starts. Make a decent meal (to combat the sugar intake), go for a long walk with Harper and relax around the house all day. 

Unlike past years, this year I learned to slow down and enjoy the moment. It took Ingrid and I a solid two hours to make sugar cookies yesterday. She loved dumping in the flour into the bowl and watching as I "Mixa! Mixa" the ingredients. She kneaded her little toddler hands into the cookie dough to form blob-like shapes (and I tossed the messy dough into the trash - no one wants sweaty toddler-hand dough). 

In 2012, Ingrid's second Christmas, her favorite seasonal things are: 

• Sparkly Ornaments 
• Dancing on Tissue Paper 
• Cooking (specifically sprinkling and dumping) 
• Christmas Lights 
• Chocolate 
• Advent Calendars 
• Snowmen 
• Bubble Guppies Happy Holidays Mr. Grumpfish Episode (natch)  

Today felt special because Ingrid sort-of understands what's going on. She knows that Santa says "Ho ho ho," understands the concept of presents and that tomorrow is Jesus's birthday. She has no idea what a birthday is - but you get the drift. She tolerated cookie decorating and we somehow convinced her that the frosting wasn't OK to eat. 

Her innocence to the scope of the season is wonderfully refreshing. No wish lists. No visits to Santa. Just some good old fashioned dancing on tissue paper and sprinkling sprinkles on hastily decorated cookies: 

Advent Calendar

Growing up, one of my favorite holiday memories was the good ol' Advent Calendar. I loved opening the cardboard windows each day to reveal a little piece of chocolatey goodness. Goodness that my sisters and I could enjoy every day for 24 days. Simply wonderful.

I had high hopes of creating a DIY Advent Calendar. One that would last for years and years and become a sweet annual tradition. I would carefully choose daily treats for Ingrid: stickers, ornaments, candies, random things from the dollar section of Target. I would place them in special envelopes or boxes. On December 1, Ingrid would come rushing into the living room with slippered feet with anticipation of her first daily surprise.

I found these seriously cute ideas on Pinterest including a countdown to Christmas book idea. You wrap 24 books (new, used, borrowed from the library, holiday-themed, non-holiday-themed) for kids to open and enjoy each night. We have plenty of books so I narrowed down my options to these sweet ideas:

Home Advent Calendar - via

Kraft Box Advent Calendar - via

Old Window Advent Calendar - via

And....didn't feel like creating any of them.

I don't know about you, but sometimes Pinterest makes me feel like a worthless pile. I love the idea of these crafts but not the patience or energy. All of the beautiful homes, intricate desserts and crafts make me want to throw my laptop in the air in defeat.

Enough about Pinterest.

During a semi-routine trip to CVS a quirky Advent Calendar caught my eye and I figured that Ingrid would get a kick out of Santa and I'd throw a chocolate or two her way and we'd move on with our day.

I completely underestimated the power of chocolate and the memory of Ingrid.

For the first few days, I would offer Ingrid a little piece of chocolate and watch as her eyes would light up - just around the same time Dan would offer me a look of judgement from across the kitchen. I would shrug my shoulders as to say "Come on Dan, live a little!" And then pat myself on the back for being a Fun Mom.

The next morning her first words were "Chocolate?" and I knew I had created a treat monster.

We had to deny her the chocolate that I introduced. We had to deny her because the whole "one-chocolate-a-day" thing created a whiny child who would repeatedly point at the calendar and ask ever-so-sweetly for "More Chocolate?"

This afternoon I threw away eight pieces of unwanted chocolate. Eight! Ok, I had a rough case of food poisoning otherwise none of that chocolate would have seen the trash can. I guess any case of food poisoning is rough, but I had to miss my first day at my new job because of it, so I would say it rough.

Anyways - I don't know what I was thinking - that she wouldn't catch on. That she wouldn't ask for more. I thought it would be a sweet surprise to the end of the day or a post-nap treat. Those DIY Advent Calendars are looking pretty good right now - but I think next year I'll opt for the classic construction paper count-down chain.

Holiday Traditions

This weekend truly felt like a weekend. To me that means: time with family, time with friends, brunch on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, a little baking and a lot of relaxing. This stress-free weekend was especially energizing for me as I'm between job changes. You could say that I've been a "hot mess" and I wouldn't argue with you. Leaving some place you love is a bummer. The anticipation of a new challenges\ is nerve-wracking.

Looking ahead to our holiday gatherings, the to-do, to-make and to-buy lists are slowly and steadily growing. Compared to the stress of a job change - the next few weeks feel like they are going to be a piece of cake. 

Speaking of cake - have you guys ever had sponge candy? You probably have. But if not, it's one of those wonderful, sugary confections that surfaces this time of the year. Dark chocolate surrounds a piece of crunchy, cake-like candy. A friend introduced me to this last month and I'm officially hooked. I've allowed myself to buy two bags (so far). It's over-priced and worth it. 

Back to the holidays. 

In addition to drooling over sponge candy, introducing Ingrid to Christmas traditions has been incredibly rewarding this month. We took her to Cathedral Square Park and admired the lights. Ingrid insisted on visiting the playground for a quick swing and loved laughing at us through the looping lights. 

This weekend, we made Cranberry Bread for her daycare teachers. Ingrid stood proudly at the counter and sprinkled on a topping while reminding us "Ingrid help! Ingrid help!" 

Then, we pushed the envelope and had her paint mugs. What a brilliant idea it was to use the smallest bib imaginable in hopes to catch the multiple paint splatters.

Even though her clothes were painted in the process, she did a really great job using the paintbrush. I think it's because it involves dipping the brush into the paint. Kids love to dip. I'm starting to learn that carrots are best with ranch and chicken is best with a quarter cup of mustard on the side. 

Baking and crafting are holiday traditions that I loved as a kid. They were traditions that I could carry with me to college and to my first apartment in Milwaukee. We don't have the room for a tree, Ingrid doesn't know who Santa truly is and we're still in search of a church - but these simple traditions always get me in the holiday spirit. 

What are your favorite holiday traditions? 

What do you recommend we try with a young toddler? 

A Tree for Ingrid

Every season brings a new batch of holiday traditions to be remembered or created with Ingrid. It's hard not to get swept-up in the moment. Let's take today for example - as I was a few phone calls away from booking an unnecessarily expensive Breakfast with Santa when a coworker reminded me that we don't have to do everything this year. 

Breakfast with Santa can wait. Wish lists for Santa can wait. Cutting down our family's first real Christmas tree can wait until next year when we're in a bigger place. 

I love that Ingrid only understands a small percentage of what's going around her this month. She loves looking at the Christmas lights twinkling on front yards. Tonight, the holiday section of Target blew her mind as she yelled "Sparkly balls! Sparkly Balls! SPARKLY BALLS!" Hilarious and accurate. 

The decision to postpone the "real" tree was a slight disappointment for me but, I perked up when I saw this little Pinterest-gem: A Felt Tree for Toddlers.

It took Dan five minutes to cut out the tree from green felt, while I created as many ornaments as Ingrid would let me finish. At first she called the ornaments "makeups." It was one of those moments where she looked at me with such conviction as if to say "Excuse me Mom, these felt circles are now referred to as makeups, not 'ornaments'. How old are you?" 

At least once a day, she'll toss her baby to the side and happily jog over to her tree to "pat-pat" her ornaments (felt sticks to felt!). She'll admire her handy work and then aggressively wipe the tree clean and decorate it once again. 

She loves it and uses it daily. It cost roughly $5 and took 20 minutes to create. Our real tree can wait until next year. 

Nice ornament layering. 

Patting the ornaments to make sure they stick.

What's happening?
Someone cut my bangs. 

Although her expression would lead to you believe she's in a tragic situation -
Harper actually loves snuggling under this tree. 

Here's what I used: 

• 1 yard of cheap green felt 
• Leftover felt 
• Double-sided tape 

Thankful Tree

Last November, I shared what I was thankful for with a good old-fashioned A to Z list. I had a great time compiling, writing and sharing this comprehensive list.

This year, I wanted to start a family tradition around the idea of giving thanks, but didn't want the effort to be complicated or feel forced. I stumbled upon the idea of a homemade Thankful Tree - to take a few moments to write down what we are thankful for that day on a little card and hang it on a tree. Simple, painless and fast.

After finding these cute, free printable tags, the rest was easy.

photo via 

We gathered branches during our weekly Sunday morning and during an episode of Fashion Police, I assembled our Thankful Tree with minimal effort and a little twine:

Before

Free printable tags

After 

Although Ingrid will express thanks when you give her a chunk of cheese, she doesn't understand the true meaning of gratitude but, I know she'll love gazing at this new little addition to the living room (and will want to play with the tags). I'm hopeful this will morph into an annual family tradition where we can all participate.

Dan humored me and filled out a tag for Cell Phone Service, My Friends and Breakfast. I shared my thanks for Harper, Yoga, Ingrid's Laugh and of course, to all Veterans everywhere for their service and sacrifice - including Dan, my husband.

Lesson Learned

Dan and I were both out of the house last week for work and had, max, a few hours to discuss our upcoming camping trip to Wildcat Mountain State Park. Dan etched a veteran's memorial near the park and booked the site last year. Over the phone and by email, we discussed gear, food and drink, but never really talked about our expectations for the weekend. 

After a long four hour drive, we unloaded the gear, set up camp and soon discovered that camping with a one-year-old isn't like camping with a 3 month old. Sure, there were a few sweet moments, like when Ingrid and I watched four caterpillars shuffle around the picnic table. But, as we avoided the windy, chilly weather in our tent and Ingrid became increasingly tired and fussy, it became clear that the weekend would be tolerable at best. 

After four hours at the campsite, we decided to pack it up and head on home, tail between our legs. It was a bummer - we were defeated. 

Maybe if the weather was better, it would have been fine. We both felt like idiots - but lesson learned, camping with a one-year-old isn't fun for anyone.  

As if you need evidence, here I am during a high-point, Ingrid had just fallen asleep and I was "happily" reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Can't you just feel the joy in the air?  

And here's Ingrid after she woke up from her too-short nap. She couldn't stop crawling all over me. She was sort-of happy, sort-of hungry and completely insane. 

On the ride home, we decided to numb our pain with doughnuts and coffee. After missing the exit for Dunkin' Donuts and nearly missing one of the last Kwik Trip exits, Dan sighed "It's just that kind of day." And thankfully, we took it in stride. No one was laughing, but no one was placing blame or bitching (ok, we bitched for about three minutes). 

On Saturday, I woke up to Dan questioning, "Did yesterday even happen?" 

It did and I was over talking about it before the subject even cam up. So I ran, grabbed a kiddie pool at Target and packed a bag for a little picnic and walk around Doctor's Park. 

At least we got some use out of this backpack hiker. 

Ingrid was in love. She stood on the beach and yelled at the waves. She couldn't believe what she was seeing and didn't mind that the water was a little on the cold side. 

However ideal our camping situation could have been, it didn't make sense for Ingrid. Any lingering doubts were washed away as she cautiously wobbled around the beach, mouth open in complete joy. 

She sat here for about two minutes (equal to 30 minutes in adult minutes) gazing out at the waves.

We arrived home to a pseudo-warm kiddie pool and a cooler of mixers. Camping smamping, we had swimsuits, access to ice, iPod speakers and a happy Ingrid. 

I completely understand that camping with a one-year-old sounds insane and dumb. A year ago, it made sense, to us both, to camp with Ingrid. We love the outdoors and wanted to share this experience. Dan wanted to start a family tradition and visit the memorial he created. A year ago, we had no idea what life with a one-year old would look like, feel like or be like. She's in a constant state of transition and exploration. Camping made sense when she was little and unaware. Now, she's aware enough to enjoy crawling caterpillars but not aware enough to understand that we're sleeping together in a tent. Or even to comprehend what a tent is. 

I'm thankful we had two days to turn the weekend around and the time to create new traditions that work with our family, right now. I know there will be plenty of weekends to camp, (and years when Ingrid will think camping is the lamest thing ever) and there will be plenty of visits to the beach - but there's only one first visit to the beach. And that visit was met with screams of delight and wonder, and it was pretty great.  

Valentine's Day

A holiday full of red, pink, sugar and love. What's not to love? Pun intended. 

This year, I got a little homemade-happy for Valentine's Day:

Spent way too long crafting this wreath. Mine looks like a sloppy-weird version of this. 

Strawberry cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and more butter = Two for us and give the rest to Ingrid's daycare teachers.

Free printable vintage valentines for the grandparents.

The best part of my day was coming home to this homemade card. For a 10 month-old, she's a great speller. 

We enjoyed a simple meal of mussels and crusty bread. For dessert, donuts. Or doughnuts. Spell it however you wish - they are cakey, sweet, cheap and amazing. 

Now, Dan is watching a movie on his computer and I'm watching It's a Brad, Brad World. Ahh, wedded bliss. 

Happy Valentine's Day to you! 

Two Miles and An Elk.

Last week, my friend and I ran the Samson Stomp & Romp two-mile race at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Growing up, my grandma took my sisters and I to the zoo frequently. Fond zoo memories include -  train rides, sea lion shows and air-conditioning breaks in the reptile house. I loved those plastic Mold-a-Rama animal molds and lunches of ham sandwiches and sodas wrapped in aluminum foil (natch).

Remember Me? 

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia while walking through the front gates of the zoo.

Then came the kids.

I figured a race at the zoo meant kids would be in attendance (the Children's 1/4 Mile race was also a clue), but I didn't anticipate running next to nine-year-olds. Nine-year-olds can run six minute miles while discussing Justin Bieber. We made it a mile-and-a-half before we stopped to complain about our cold toes and pointed at elk. We ran by families with strollers and a pack of firefighters. We huffed by real runners who were lapping us - or running multiple races with their kids. When all was said and done, we ended up finishing in a reasonable amount of time and left with a race shirt, Caribou coffee and renewed sense of motivation.

Next year, I hope to make this an annual family tradition. The whole Atkinson clan will be bundle up and run (and/or walk) one of these races. Just because it's January, doesn't mean we can't enjoy looking at elk and mountain goats. And maybe if the mood strikes us, we'll splurge for a plastic mold of a crocodile. Any maybe, I'll be able to keep pace with a nine-year-old, who is too cool to zip her coat.

A Glimpse

As kids, Christmas was obviously a magical time. We didn't need any commercials to rope us in - gifts from a magical man in a red suit, singing, sweets galore, and a week off of school - amazing!

Then, enter the cynical teen-years. Too cool to get excited about...anything, really. Shopping for my little sister? Please, I was too busy not zippering my coat when it was 20 degrees.

Fast-forward to college - where it was acceptable to "get into" the season once again. My six roommates and I managed to purchase and and rig-up a real-life Christmas tree (that sat in our house until well-past Valentine's Day - and was eventually pushed into the Chippewa River), we played Christmas music and I'm assuming consumed an inappropriate number of cookies. I even started going to church again with my mom. It was back. The warm-fuzzies of the holidays were back in full force.

Since then, I've enjoyed the holidays with roommates and eventually, with husband. Some years it's fun, others the holidays are a pain - but no matter what, I find joy being in the kitchen.

A few weeks ago while unpacking a small tote of decor, Ingrid's face lit up when I plugged in the lights. She let out an "Ohhhh-galllll" which in "Ingrid," I'm assuming, means "Wow, that's really pretty." It was a small and wonderful glimpse.

A glimpse into many years of singing and crafting - a glimpse into creating traditions and making memories as a family.

Next year she still won't entirely "get" Christmas, Santa and the whole shebang, but years from now - I can't wait to wrap gifts, create crafts, bake cookies, visit family, watch plays, sing songs and create new traditions together.

Hopefully, this era lasts for many years, until she's "too cool" for Christmas - hopefully she'll be cool enough to zip up her winter coat.

Holidays.

The holidays are hectic. True, but they are also wonderfully pleasant. When else can cook amazingly decadent food, bake dozens of cookies and decorate with glitter? I love giving into my "inner Martha" and get into the holidays. Everything's just so sparkly and wonderful. Except for the whole family situation because, dividing time between our four families is...hard.

Ugh, I'd rather dust. Or drink wheatgrass. Or do whatever you find mildly unpleasant.

My parents and the husband's parents are both divorced and many of them, remarried. Now, don't get me wrong, I love our family. I would just love if we could make one or two trips to see most of them.

Ok, it's not just the number of visits or the multiple meals - it's the having to call the other set of parents on our way to see someone's parents. It's missing out on someone else's family function. It's small "stuff" but, it's constant and it's not fun.

And for some reason, you'd think it would get easier as we get older. As kids, everyone held our hands through the unfamiliar Divorce process. Fifteen years later, we - the kids - are in the driver's seat and we're left feeling guilty for missing out on multiple family gatherings each holiday.

It sounds a bit silly, really, "we just have TOO many people to please!" But I crave tradition, stability and comfort. Knowing that we'll be overtired, hopped up on cheesey dips, dropping gifts off here and there - sounds a little...less than relaxing.

I'm looking forward to creating special traditions with our little lady. Where the history is fresh and we have a clean slate to make a lifetime of memories.

Don't get me wrong, I love these wonderful family gatherings, I'm just looking forward to taking it easy - someday - with our little unit.

G is for Grandparents.

This Month I'm Thankful for Grandparents.


Yesterday I was flipping through Ingrid's baby book and filling in the new details - when she rolled over, first tooth sighting. They also threw in a few brainteasers - Ingrid's height and weight in her third and fourth month? No idea.

At the end of the book there's a darling, little family tree graphic. Easy! As I started to fill this in, I continued to second guess myself. Wait, my mom is a mom, shouldn't she go.....oh yeah, I'm "the" mom. Wait, my grandpa moved up a "branch" to great-grandpa? Yes, Lindsay, he did, this is your daughter's family tree. Another generation. Oh brother.

It's also odd to think that Ingrid hasn't met a majority of her great grandparents, yet they were - and are - such a critical part of Dan and I's lives. My happiest memories with my grandparents are so vivid and I remember them as some of the happiest points in my childhood - all-day long trips to the movies, giggling with cousins in the basement, multiple summer trips to the zoo, and just playing in their house. The rules were lax, there was a candy drawer (with full size candy bars!) - it's pretty much the closest thing you have to a vacation when you're a kid.

Last month, my mom and Dan's mom visited (separately) to visit Ingrid (and us!). And it was unlike any other visits we've had in the past. Yes, these grandmas are both easy-going - but literally the only thing on my mom's agenda was being within a 6-inch radius of Ingrid. Instead of talking about my problems, my friends or my work - we discussed Ingrid's unmatched sense of humor and intellect (She's so funny! She's sooooo smart! Look, she's sitting up!).

I often complain about the logistical annoyance that is our divorced-parents situation. We split our time and energy. Packing the car is becoming more and more of a challenge. Small, yet just-annoying-to-be-annoying problems.

As we were planning for the holiday season, I was again, dragging my feet, and not wanting to make any concrete decisions. I envisioned us carting Ingrid along to this family, then to the next. Missing out on this family and that gathering.

I started thinking about what her grandparent visits will be when she's older, she'll be spoiled with attention, clothes, food, and kisses. She'll get to visit with cousins and go on new-to-her adventures. The whole "whoa-is-me-holiday-travel-drama" is pretty silly to focus on - she'll have years and years of weekend-getaways and special traditions with our parents. And plenty of candy drawers to raid.

C is for Creating.

This Month I'm Thankful To Create.

In college, my roommates and I would bust out our knitting needles this time of the year. Some would knit a few rows of a scarf (me), others would actually their projects (leaving me jealous and with a cold neck).

Everything about this month is just nudging you indoors to get cozy, start crafting and create something. It's too cold to spend hours outdoors and it's not cold enough to justify a Top Chef marathon.

I've dabbled in knitting, sewing and crafting in general, but I'll be honest, I hate completing projects. I currently have three items pinned, ready to be sewn and a mitten-and-a-half ready to become a set. I'm bound and determined to take this Crafting Interest into a full-blown Hobby this month. I might mess up a stitch or forget a row, but damn it - I really want those purple-grey mittens and, there are new babies who need cute baby things! 

What have you been itching to create? A novel, card, craft, new hairstyle or meal? Whatever it is - flex your creative muscles this month and marvel at the results! 

B is for Balance.

This Month I'm Thankful for Balance. 

Last year I felt like a ball in a pinball machine - being propelled from one side to the next.

Engaged, Ping! Pregnant, Pong! Wedding! Lost Job! Baby, Ping Pong! Job Search! Start New Job!

These life-changers were all-consuming and I was swallowed-up by the scariness and excitement of them all. I dove into wedding planning, preparing for a new baby and job searching in an intense, frantic way, these moments or titles were all-to defining. I was a Newlywed, Unemployed Pregnant Woman. And I needed to fix that Unemployed title, fast.

Now, as a Married, Employed Mother, I feel almost a new sense of self and try to process all of this marriage, career, and motherhood stuff with an attitude of gratitude and with a meaningful, relaxed pace. Forgive the overused "workplace phrase" - but instead of "putting out fires" I'm now able to focus on my life in my own terms (for now). Balancing my days between my family, friends, career, focusing on myself, health, reading, cooking, crafting and some trashy-good Bravo TV.

Balance, is a wonderful thing.

This Month I'm Thankful For...

I'm not ready. I'm digging my heels into the fall season and refusing to budge. I'm not ready for the red Starbucks cups. I'm not ready to think about the holiday shopping. I'm still enjoying All That is Fall - the leaves still need to be raked to the curb, there are still pumpkin treats to be made - there's more fall to savor.

November is sort-of the the unsung hero of fall. Thanksgiving is the focus but in reality, it's one wonderful day followed by another day of lounging around in elastic pants. Let's celebrate the rest of November - and leave out the gelatinous cranberry stuff.

This month is all about reflection and tradition - I'll be sharing what I'm Thankful for This Month - alphabetical style. Check-in throughout the month and share your fall favorites too!

I'm Thankful For Apples

Too easy right? But in all seriousness, they are hands down my favorite food. 

As I kid, my mom created my all-time favorite snack - apple slices, chunks of cheese and Ritz crackers - carefully arranged on a little plate. To this day I can't recreate her apple cuts or plating arrangements.

Later, as a 26-year-old with braces, I counted down the days until I could bite into a juicy apple instead of coring, slicing and dicing. Driving away from the orthodontist (forever!) and biting into a Granny Smith was the ultimate bliss. 

This fall, we took Ingrid to Barthel's Fruit Farm for an unseasonably warm apple/pumpkin picking experience. 

I can't wait to continue this tradition with her next year - any many more to come. 

Now here's the part I'm truly thankful for - uninterrupted hours in front of the stove. I turned on my iPod, tied my favorite apron and got down to business. There's something so therapeutic about literally picking food from the earth and then transforming it into something wholesome (or a little indulgent). 

The seemingly simple fruit holds an oddly special place in my heart - from childhood to motherhood, it's one of those comfort foods that never goes out of style. Sliced, dipped, baked, or sauced - I'll take it! Here are some of the simplistic and seasonal dishes we love: 

• Maple Apple Crisp
• Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin
• Gouda and Apple Tarts 
• Caramel Apple Cider Floats
• Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

What about you? What are your favorite apple dishes?