The Christensen's Camelot : Moving, Will Be Back Saturday

Hello Bloggy Friends! I wanted to let you all know out there in Blogland, that I will be taking the next few days off. My husband and I are moving once again; military life calls. . .

I will be busy packing over the next few days !!!!

I will be back to blogging and up and at'em on Saturday! Until then, I wanted to leave you with a few fall ideas to get you through the next few days!

Filling Your Home With Fall Scents

Ah, the season of scented candles is finally here! I love the smell of a fresh Pumpkin Spice Latte candle or perhaps a crisp apple cinnamon scent. Although these candles sound absolutely scrumptious and inviting, many scented candles are actually made of petroleum-based paraffin with dubious artificial scents, and some even have lead in them. With a little munchkin running around our home, a candle is easily accessible and perhaps not the best choice for homes with young children.

A safer alternative is to simply do what your grandmother did : just simmer a pot of spices on your stove!
Ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, apple peels, orange rinds, cloves, apple juice, vanilla, anise, and nutmeg will soon make your home smell like you've been baking away all day. This makes a great alternative scent around a lovely fall kitchen!

What To Do:

Be Prepared: Get into the habit of saving (rather than composting) your orange peels, lemon and lime peels, and apple and pear skins.

Instructions: Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from your favorite recipe, continue to boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer. Add water as needed, usually every 30 minutes or so.

Recipe #1

Cinnamon sticks

Apple peels

Orange rinds

Whole cloves

Recipe #2

Peel from 1 lemon

Peel from 1 orange

2 bay leaves

3 cinnamon sticks

2 Tablespoons whole cloves

Recipe #3

A few drops vanilla

Orange peels

Recipe #4

1 cup dried lavender

1 tsp anise

1 Tablespoon nutmeg

1 Tablespoon whole cloves

1 Cinnamon stick

Recipe #5

5 bay leaves

1 Tablespoon whole cloves

2 sticks cinnamon

Now get to simmering!! :)

Hot Apple Cider Pie Crust Cookies

I found this fun and super yummy treat on Not Martha.org
I absolutely love hot apple cider on a cool, crisp fall day! These adorable little
Pie-crust topper cookies are the perfect companion for your mug of apple cider! This is one idea the kiddos are sure to love!

What To Do :

Roll out two rounds of dough, rolling each between two layers of parchment will make this super easy. Cut into strips. Move the strips apart carefully. Fold back every other slice. Lay down one strip of dough from the other section of dough. Fold the strips back. Now fold the other strips of down back over the one you just laid down. Put down another strip of dough from the other set. Fold the strips back flat. Continue on like that until you’ve got a full lattice. Cut out the cookies, and… … remove the excess dough from around them instead of trying to move them. Ta da! (They are also dabbed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar before baking.)

Fall Crocheted Hats

With fall, comes the return of fun, funky and warm crocheted hats like the ones pictured. My Mom made the following seasonal fall hats for my little one last year.
She simply crochets one basic beanie and comes up with different toppers; ex: Pumpkin top or turkey top!