Come along for a cozy autumn day of apple picking, flower stand treasures, and sweet fall treats like apple butter and apple “donuts.” In this episode, I share gentle reflections on embracing change, slowing down, and rooting ourselves more deeply—just as the trees do in autumn. Whether you’re here for cozy fall vibes, homemade apple treats, or a moment of slow living reflection, I hope this episode feels like a warm cup of tea on a crisp autumn day. _______________________________________ Apple butter recipe:
Ingredients:
10-12 medium apples, diced (no need to peel unless you want an extra smooth texture) Juice of 1 lemon 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch or Arrowroot 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon all spice or apple pie spice
Instructions:
Place diced apples into mixing bowl and evenly drizzle the lemon juice and gently stir Allow apple chunks to rest for 5 min Add the diced apples into a stove pot over medium heat and add in the butter Stir to coat the apples in the butter Cook for about 10-15min, until apples have soften a bit Stir in brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, all spice and vanilla extract Add the corn starch or arrowroot and stir well Continue cooking over medium heat for 10 min, until apples are very soft and caramel colored sauce has formed. Lower the heat to medium-low and use immersion blender to blend the mixture into a smooth sauce Continue stirring occasionally fro about 5-10 more min, until apple butter is thick and bubbly. (If its too thick add a tablespoon of water) Allow apple butter to cool and spoon into glass jars with lids
Puffy Pastry Apple Donuts
Ingredients:
2-3 large apples (honey crisp are great) 2 tablespoon coconut sugar (white granulated sugar works too) 1tablespoon cinnamon 1/4 cup oil (avocado oil works good as it isn’t very strong 2 puff pastry sheets
Instructions:
Preheat oven too 375 F Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and set aside Cut apples in about 1/4 inch round slices from their sides Use a small cookie cutter or bottle cap (like I did) to cut out a hole in the middle, creating a donut shape Lightly flour working surface and roll out the puff pastry Cut into 8 long even strips and wrap each strip around an apple ring (you might need two strips per apple) Line baking sheet with parchment paper and place apple slices onto the prepared baking sheet Lightly brush each “donut” with oil and sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture (both sides) Bake for 20-30 min, until they look golden brown and are crisp Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Hello my dear friends and a heartfelt welcome to everyone joining me here today.
A new season has quietly arrived.
Autumn is here again.
For some, autumn can feel like an ending.
The close of summer's warm and bright days, a reminder of shorter evenings and returning
responsibilities.
But for me, autumn has always been an invitation, a season that asks us to pause, to savor and
to embrace the beauty that is unfolding.
Today was one of those days that felt like autumn had truly arrived.
The air carried a hint of crispness, yet the sun was still strong and warm enough for me
to slip on a dress and welcome the season by going apple picking.
Because that's just what you do in autumn, isn't it?
Walking through the orchard, listening to the rustle of the leaves and reaching for
those ripe apples.
I couldn't help but feel grateful for this gentle shift of season.
But autumn, of course, is more than just apples.
And with the arrival of the equinox, the world around us begins to change.
The golden light, the cool mornings, the leaves slowly turning.
It's nature's quiet reminder that life is always moving, always transforming.
The trees begin their transformation, trading green for shades of golden crimson.
On my way home, I passed by the little flower stand I often drive by.
And I couldn't resist stopping to bring a few blooms back with me.
To my surprise, the kind owner invited me into her garden space.
I found myself cheerfully wandering through her flower beds, filling my heart with joy
all over again.
Almost as if the day has gifted me not one, but two seasons worth of beauty.
Back at home, I looked at my basket filled with apples and wondered what to make first.
Apple pie, that classic comfort of autumn.
A rustic crumble with oats and cinnamon.
But apple butter simmering slowly on the stove is always my favorite, filling the house with
a wonderful sweet aroma.
And then of course there's always room for something new and fun, like apple doughnuts
I like to call them.
In my very first autumn episode, I shared my reflection on the art of letting go.
That one is still so dear to my heart, and you'll find it linked at the end if you'd
like to watch it.
But this time, I wanted to lean into something a little bit different, embracing change and
allowing our roots to grow deeper, just like the trees do in autumn.
Recently I read something that struck me deeply.
Trees become their strongest in autumn, because they are no longer producing fruit or growing
leaves.
All of their energy is sent down into their roots.
So what on the outside might look like loss, or even death, is in fact the preparation
for new life.
Isn't that such a beautiful thought?
That what appears as letting go is actually deepening, as strengthening.
It makes me wonder if we too can use this season to root ourselves more firmly, to nourish
the unseen parts of us that will one day allow new growth.
And yet, as much as I love this season, I know that change, even when it glows in golden
colors, can be unsettling.
Our minds and bodies often resist the unknown, clinging to what feels familiar.
I felt it myself.
When I first began creating and sharing my videos, I was filled with doubt, with fear
of not being good enough, fear of being judged or misunderstood, fear of stepping into something
new and putting myself out there, so to speak.
And truthfully, I still feel that way sometimes.
But just like the trees, perhaps we can learn to trust the process.
When I think of my younger self, I know I would never tell her to give up or stop dreaming.
I would cheer her on, remind her of her courage, tell her she's brave and celebrate each step
she takes, just as I would with a friend or even a stranger.
I would treat them with kindness and compassion.
But why does it seem so hard to offer the same kindness to ourselves?
Maybe this season is our reminder to extend that compassion inward, to root ourselves
in patience, in gentleness and in grace.
So as the days become shorter and the leaves continue to fall, may we remember, autumn
is not just about endings, it's also about rooting deeply, strengthening quietly and
preparing for what's yet to come.
So here is to autumn, my dear friends, a season of transformation, of slowing down, of gratitude
and of tender beginnings.
I cheer you on in whatever phase of life you find yourself, in whatever changes you're
facing and in every step you take towards a new beginning.
And as always, I wish you health, wellness and joy.
