Pumpkin Fluff

When I dip, you dip, we dip into the delicious flavors of pumpkin spice dip. This dip
is creamy, and bursting with the best flavor fall has to offer…pumpkin. This fall pumpkin
dip is going to be the biggest hit at your next get-together, and can be served with slices
of apples, vanilla wafers or graham crackers. The pumpkin dip also makes a delicious

whoopie pie filling, or used to top mini puff pastry desserts.

Pumpkin Spice Dip
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip)
Directions:
1. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Stir in pumpkin and all spices.
3. Gently fold in whipped topping.
4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

5. Serve with apples, vanilla wafers or graham crackers

Travel Diaries: Sleeping Bear Dunes

M22 offers a plethora of outdoor adventures, and is one of my favorite places to drive around and make stops – especially in the fall. On a recent trip, the weather was less than perfect; in fact I spent most of the time dodging raindrops – although I did manage to make it to Sleeping BearDunes. Sleeping Bear Dunes are located just west of Traverse City, and while the trek up them is tiring the view is amazing, and even better when you make it down by Lake Michigan (which I did not do, because it started raining). Once you finish the dune climb head over to Cherry Republic for samples, ice cream, delicious food and more!

Travel Diaries: Detroit Zoo

I must still be a kid at heart, because I absolutely love going to the zoo. Over the weekend I went to the Detroit Zoo, and while the polar bears were not out, there were plenty of other animals ready to get up close and personal. The new penguin exhibit is a lot of fun and definitely a must see, and the wolf attraction is interesting especially if you start howling they\’ll howl back.  Oh, and I can\’t forget to mention…. there is a BABY Giraffe! What\’s your favorite zoo?

Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

Last week I shared with you how to make your own pumpkin spice from the comfort of your kitchen. This week, I\’m sharing with you one of my favorite was to use it – pumpkin spice popcorn. Most of the time popcorn is coated with savory ingredients, but today we are coating it with our favorite fall sugary confection, pumpkin spice. Here’s how to make it:
Pumpkin Spice Popcorn
1. Pop popcorn and add it to a large bowl.
2. Melt butter.
3. Mix pumpkin pie spice and sugar with the melted butter and stir until mostly dissolved.
4. Drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat.
5. Enjoy, while you watch your favorite movie.
*Note: For a sweet and savory combination add a couple dashes of salt.

Fall Tradition: Apple Picking

I’ve been going to the apple orchard with my mum since before I could walk. Even when I was away at college, and lived in another state I made a point to return home in the fall so we could go apple picking. In recent years Blake Farms has been the place we venture to pick our apples, a few pumpkins, indulge in hot cider and donuts and enjoy lunch together. It’s one of those traditions that I hold close to my heart and means the world to me. Do you have any fall traditions?