Friday Favorites 10.16.20
Did anyone else think this week flew by? I feel like I blinked and it was suddenly Friday. This week I packed in some quintessential October adventures. I went to Yates Cider Mill to get some hot spiced cider and donuts, went for a leaf peeping drive with Jack, went to Tillson Street to get all our spooky season feels, and made some delicious apple butter.
This week Amazon held Prime Day, and many stores held sales to compete with Amazon. Were you one of the people that shopped Prime Day? I was not, I actually have only shopped on Amazon a few times, one time being for blue light glasses, aside from that I prefer shopping local businesses. In fact, next week I will be sharing gift guides that feature some of my favorite small businesses!
I hope you had a wonderful week!
Here are some of my favorites from the past week
This apple butter recipe turned out amazing and I highly recommend you make it if you like apple butter!
Planes is coming to Disney + this November.
I won an All The Feels blanket in a recent giveaway they hosted, and Jack is obsessed.
I am loving the hand sanitizer from Shea Woods Co.
I recently realized how disgusting and dirty my produce is and have been using Sea Witch Botanicals Produce Wash ever since.
My favorite local shop Lottie Mae has some adorable Christmas products available. I absolutely love this fireside plaid woven throw!
This honey and walnuts mixture would be great on a charcuterie board.
Zoya released their holiday 2020 collection titled Intriguing and it\’s everything I could hope for in a holiday collection.
Jack and I are back at it car camping and I think I need this around the campfire recipe book to keep track of all the fun camping recipes I try.
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker: Christmas Stream GIVEAWAY CLOSED
I am thrilled to announce that I have a pass for you to see the Moscow Ballet\’s Great Russian Nutcracker from the comfort of your living room. See the details below.
Go back to a simpler time and celebrate this Christmas tradition with the whole family! See Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker from the best seat in the house; your living room! Take this opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and experience the smash-hit Holiday tradition in this ground-breaking Video on Demand debut. Take a trip backstage with the cameras for a look at how the magic is made. Hear it first-hand from world-class artists, designers, and the creators of this cherished production. See the full performance as captured on stage plus an up-close look at the behind-the-scenes action.
How to Make Homemade Apple Butter
Every fall I head to the apple orchard with my mum and get more apples than any single person can eat in a season. I eat some of them, make applesauce with others and this year I decided that instead of buying apple butter for charcuterie boards, I would just make my own. The aroma of the apple butter will linger through your house and have you dreaming of cooler days.
You will never believe how simple it is to make apple butter. All you have to do is stick some apples that have been cut into a crockpot with brown sugar and spices. Let the mixture sit all day, stirring occasionally, and there you have it, apple butter. Yum!
Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ingredients
3/4 cup apple cider (I got mine from Yates Cider Mill)
9 apples
1/2 cup brown sugar (I did less because my apples and cider were very sweet)
2-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
dash of salt
Directions
1. Peel, core, and chop the apples.
2. Place all ingredients into a slow cooker.
3. Stir the mixture.
4. Cover and cook for 4-6 hours on low.
5. Once the mixture is soft and has a \”mushy\” consistency pour it into a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Add back to the crockpot and cook for another 2 hours to thicken it. This is also your opportunity to add more spices or brown sugar.
What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?
You might want to know what you can do with apple butter and how to serve it. Well, the simple answer is anything you want!
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy apple butter:
Add it to a charcuterie board and add to a cracker or the top of the cheese
On a biscuit with butter
Warmed and served over pancakes or ice cream
As a dip for graham crackers
On a piece of toast
Drizzled over cinnamon rolls
What apples are best for apple butter?
When it comes to apple butter, applesauce, apple pies, and more I like to use a variety of apples. For my apple butter, I used Honey Crisp (they\’re so sweet I was able to cut down on the brown sugar), Mcintosh, Red Delicious, and Gala.
How do you make apple butter smooth?
You can use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree it. I like to cook it in the crockpot for a while, and then run it through the blender and put it back in the crockpot for a couple hours to thicken up.
How do you store homemade apple butter?
I canned some of mine and also put some apple butter in freezer containers and froze it. Apple butter will not last very long in the refrigerator, so you definitely want to make sure you freeze it or can it.
Exploring Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan is one of those hidden gems that many (myself included) overlook. Port Huron, Michigan is located on the shores of Lake Huron and is only about one hour from Detroit which makes it the perfect place to take a day trip to! Port Huron is home to the Blue Water Bridge that runs across the St. Clair River connecting the United States to Canada.
Port Huron is known as the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes and features the only existing lightship on the Great Lakes, the Huron Lightship. The Great Lakes Maritime Center is the perfect place to learn about the freighters that navigate one of the busiest waterways in the world. You can\’t forget the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, which is one of Michigan\’s oldest working lighthouses!
My favorite thing about Port Huron is the Blue Water River Walk. This paved walkway runs along the shoreline of the St. Clair River, allowing you to not only enjoy the water views and wave hi to Canada, but you can watch the freighter traffic.
Things to do in Port Huron, Michigan
Watch the freighters pass underneath the Blue Water Bridge
Enjoy the beautiful Blue Water River Walk. Where you can walk, fish, and view the freighters.
Get up close with one of Michigan\’s oldest lighthouses Fort Gratiot Light Station
Visit waterfront public parks and beaches
History buffs will love the Thomas Edison Depot Museum, the Huron Lightship, the Carnegie Museum, and the Knowlton Ice Museum
Enjoy a boat tour aboard the Huron Lady
Don\’t forget to stop and eat at one of the restaurants on the water
Things To Do in Marquette, Michigan: Hike Sugarloaf Mountain
When I attended college at Northern Michigan University as soon as my parents came up to visit I took them to Sugarloaf Mountain. Whether you\’re staying in Marquette for vacation or visiting Michigan\’s Upper Peninsula I highly recommend making a stop at Sugarloaf Mountain for 360 degrees of stunning views.
When it comes to trails you can pick the trail marked \”easy\” or \”difficult. The \”easy\” trail is filled with stairs and becomes tiresome quickly. I actually prefer the \”difficult\” trail, where you will have steeper elevation as well as a rockier and uneven terrain. However, the difficult trail is entirely manageable for the average active person. You will find a lot of parents take their children up the \”difficult\” trail because it is easier than the \”easy\” trail that is filled with stairs. I did the \”difficult\” trail with my parents when they visited me in college and they did fine with it and they\’re not an active adventurer like I am.
For your convenience, both trails are clearly marked and well-traversed, most of the time you\’ll encounter numerous people along the path. No matter which trail you take, as you reach the top of Sugarloaf Mountain you will come to a series of stairways that provide an accessible path up the otherwise rocky and steep terrain. Once you reach the top get ready for stunning views of trees and of course Lake Superior\’s deep blue waters. Take a walk up to the viewing platforms to get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Lake Superior, Marquette, and Michigan\’s Huron Mountains in the distance.
10 Facts about Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, Michigan
1. Free parking lot at the trailhead
2. Located about 6 miles north of downtown Marquette on Country Road 550
3. The hike up Sugarloaf Mountain takes 15-30 minutes to reach the to
4. Two trail options designated \”easy\” and \”difficult\”
Pro Tip: The \”easy\” trail is packed with stairs and the \”difficult\” trail is more moderate than it sounds. I prefer the \”difficult\” trail
5. Summit rises 470 feet above Lake Superior
6. Several viewing platforms await at the top with benches to rest
7. No restrooms or facilities, not handicap accessible
8. Foot-traffic only
9. Dog-friendly
10. Accessible during all four seasons
Fashion meets Food 