Nothing says fall like apples and cinnamon! Making your own cider is not only fun, but the aromas cooking make your house smell amazing! This cider takes about an hour to make, but it’s so worth it!

Homemade Apple Cider Cocktail

Delicious homemade apple cider cocktail that brings all the flavors of fall into one glass!

Ingredients for the Apple Cider

• 10-12 apples, cut into fours without core
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 cinnamon sticks or 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 8 cups water (or enough to fill the pot a few inches above the apples)

Ingredients for the Cocktail

• ice
• vodka
• cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Place apples in a large pot with water.
2. Stir in sugar, spices and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil for 1 hour, then cover and simmer for another hour.
3. Place a strainer over a large bowl and pour the mixture in the strainer. Discard apples. Strain the cider again through a cheese cloth by placing it over a bowl.
4. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate.
5. Fill an 8 oz glass to the top with ice.
6. Pour 1 shot of your favorite vodka the ice and fill the rest with cider.
7. Stir to mix ingredients and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.

Photos and recipe: Sugar and Charm.

We love using natural elements in our fall decor! Using twigs for a lampshade is a unique idea, and it’s great for budget decorating. If you have a lamp with a torn lampshade, or just don’t know what to do with that lamp from the thrift store, this project is for you!

Supplies:

1) A lampshade

2) Scissors

3) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1:

Gather sticks. You’re going to need a lot! Measure the height of your lampshade, and then cut the sticks an inch longer than the shade. You want a bit of an overhang at the top and bottom of the lampshade.

Step 2:

If you lampshade still has a shade on it, take it off. Use scissors to cut the fabric.

Step 3:

Glue on the sticks. You only need a small dab of glue to hold the sticks in place. When you’re finished, you can use a blow dryer to get rid of any glue strings. Place the lampshade back on the lamp and you now have a unique addition to your fall decor!

Photos and idea: The Shabby Creek Cottage.

If you’re unsure of how to decorate your mantle this fall, take a look at this one! It’s simple, festive, and you can put it together on the cheap! Scroll down for more pictures!

The first thing we noticed about the mantle is the neutral backdrop. The mantle itself is a crisp white, which makes the fall accessories pop! For your mantle, choose fall shades that stand out. The bright oranges work great against the white, and if your mantle is more of a beige color, choose contrasting, but similar tones. Since the crisp white of the mantle is a cold tone, the fall accessories are as well. Choose what fits your mantle best.

The rustic crate makes the perfect stand for these flowers. To fill up the crate, a pumpkin nestled on top of leaves works great. The mini pumpkin, squash and pinecone look so cute inside, too!

One of the easiest ways to accessorize is with pillows! You can use slipcovers if you don’t want to buy new ones. For festive but cheap pillows, check your local Wal-Mart or Target.

Add warmth to your mantle with candles! Grab cheap candleholders and candlesticks at the thrift store and spraypaint them to match your mantle.

The top of the mantle is kept simple, with a salvaged piece of fence painted white, a leaf wreath, and more mini pumpkins. The garland adds a cute touch to the mini shutters, which can easily be replicated at a larger scale, if you like. You can make a large garland covering the entire mantle with burlap, which is a great choice for those on a budget.

Photos: The Frugal Homemaker.

Who knew that dried leaves could have so many uses? Compost, insulation, kindling, and fertilizer are just a few of the ways you can use up your dried leaves this fall.

1. Kindling

If you’re going camping, leaves make great kindling for your campfire. They’re readily available, so gather up a bunch to start your campfire. They light in seconds, and are great if you don’t have any fire starters on hand!

2. Insulation

Unknown to many, leaves are an excellent source of insulation. They can actually help you save money on your heating bills this winter! If you have any open crawlspaces or exposed areas in your home, gather up some leaves in a bag to fill up the spots.

3. Mulch

Place your leaves around your plants to keep the soil moist and add some much-needed nutrients. You can leave them on top of the soil, or bury them a few inches down.

4. Grass Fertilizer

Use your lawn mower to go over the leaves and shred them. Simply leave them on your lawn and they will break down and fertilize your grass!

5. Add Them to Your Compost Pile

Just like with your lawn, you can also use leaves as a natural compost in your garden. Leave them in a pile in your garden and they will break down and turn into nutrient-rich black soil. In the spring, spread this soil around your garden.

6. Craft Projects

There are tonnes of cute craft projects you can do with leaves. A quick search on Pinterest will yeild you many, many results! Decorate your home this fall with your very own unique leaf decorations! We’re loving this leaf craft megapost over at Remodelaholic!

Photos: Lowes, Countryside Industries, Webdesigner Depot, Wikipedia, Fresh Basil, The Haring Gardens.

White chocolate, chocolate cookies, and candy corn are in this cookie bark. Can it get any better? We think not! This recipe requires no baking, so making it is a snap! Keep reading for the delicious recipe!

Halloween Treats: Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Super easy cookie bark that’s the perfect treat for this Halloween season!

Ingredients

• Chocolate wafer cookies
• Candy Corn
• Orange candy melts
• White chocolate almond bark

Instructions

1. Arrange the crushed cookies and candy corn into a layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Heat the almond bark/candy melts in the microwave at 30 second intervals until melted. Pour on top of the cookie/candy mixture. Use a spoon to swirl and smooth out.
3. Place in the refrigerator until hardened. Remove and chop into pieces.

Photos and recipe: Sweet Bella Roos.

We go crazy for anything homemade, and this pumpkin spice latte is no exception. The taste is phenomenal, and dare we say, better than the real thing! This recipe uses canned pumpkin, black pepper, whipped cream, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Super easy homemade pumpkin spice latte that tastes way better than the real thing!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp canned pumpkin
• 1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
• ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 to 2 shots espresso, about 1/4 cup
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until firm peaks form

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spice and black pepper for 2 minutes. Stir constantly.
2. Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly thick syrup.
3. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Warm over medium heat and make sure it doesn’t boil over.
4. Process the milk mixture in a blender until frothy.
5. Make the espresso/coffee and divide between two mugs. Add the frothed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Photos and recipe: The Kitchn.

Pumpkin season is here, and it’s a perfect time to make these scrumptious cookies! Make a bunch of them to share with friends and family – we guarantee they’ll be grabbing seconds!

Delicious Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1½ cups butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups flour
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 bag (12 oz.) chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and white sugar until creamy. Add in the pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix into the pumpkin mixture until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop the dough onto the baking sheets. Space the dough about 2 inches apart.

Photos: The Wannabe Chef, Kirbie Cravings. Recipe: Love Bakes Good Cakes.

We’ve all drooled over those expensive mercury glass pumpkins from Pottery Barn, but we always turned them down because of the price. This year, make your own mercury glass pumpkins for a fraction of the price by simply going to your dollar store!

What You Will Need:

1) Plastic pumpkins from the dollar store

2) Krylon Metallic Spray Paint

3) Burt umber/dark brown acrylic paint

4) Matte white spray paint

5) Sponge/scraping tool

6) Spray bottle filled with water

7) Foam craft brushes

Step 1:

Spray paint the pumpkins with the matte white spray paint.

Step 2:

Spritz the pumpkins with water.

Step 3:

Spray 1 coat of metallic paint.

Step 4:

Immediately after spray painting, take a foam craft brush and your burnt umber paint, and dab the paint on random areas.

Step 5:

Using the metallic spray paint, spray short bursts of paint on the pumpkin.

Step 6:

Using a napkin, wipe down random areas to let the burnt umber paint shine through. For a rougher look, scrape off the paint using a sanding brush.

That’s it! Now you can display your pumpkins on your mantel, kitchen table, staircase, or wherever you like! Arrange candles around the pumpkins so the light can bounce off!

Photos and idea: Monica Wants It.

These autumn touches will make your home cosy in no time! Autumn colors, natural elements, and rustic pieces are a cheap way to bring some fall into your home.

1. Autumn Colors

Think burnt orange, rustic brown, and brick red. Choose a color scheme that matches your home, and tone down the orange and red with neutral tones.

2. Pumpkins

Arrange pumpkins throughout your home for an instant fall vibe. We love these painted white pumpkins decoupaged with leaves using Mod Podge.

3. Knit Pillows and Warm Blankets

As the weather gets colder, store small blankets in your living room for easy reach. Add a few knit pillows on your couch for added comfort. You can easily make a few knit pillows for cheap using thrift store knit sweaters.

4. Mason Jar Decor

Mason jars can add a cute rustic touch to any room. Arrange them on your kitchen table, and toss in a few acorns and a candle! You can also wrap wire around the rim and hang them up for instant lanterns!

5. Make a Wreath

This wheat wreath would look great on anyone’s front door! Tutorial here.

6. Decorate Your Mantle

Add rustic pieces, natural elements, and neutral colors to your fall mantle. We love the cute pinecone garland and antique gears.

7. Decorate Your Porch

Get your porch fall ready with pumpkins and dried corn stalks! Don’t forget the leaf wreath on the front door!

Photos: Annie Bowman, Alison Gootee, Tog and Porter, Camilla at Home, Daisy Mae Belle, Grand Design Co., Tumblr.

Autumn is a time when your garden needs to be maintained and cleaned so it can be ready for planting in the spring. A little work now means less work later, and your garden will thank you for it! To get your garden spring-ready, this is what you will need:

1) Spade

2) Soil testing kit

3) Amendments (test results will tell you which ones)

Step 1:

Pull out all weeds out of your garden. If you get rid of the weeds now, you’ll have less to deal with in the spring.

Step 2:

Remove branches, diseased plants, and other debris from your garden.

Step 3:

Using a home testing kit (you can find these at home garden centers), test the garden soil. The test will tell you which nutrients your soil is lacking.

Step 4:

Using a spade, turn the soil over. Dead plants and spoiled vegetables or fruits (that are not diseased) can be tilled into the soil for added nutrients.

Step 5:

If needed, add in the amendments suggested by the soil testing kit. The kit comes with instructions that will let you know which amendments to use. You can purchase amendments at your local home garden center.

Step 6:

Spread 3-4 inches of organic matter over the soil. Do this even if the test kit shows that your soil has nutrients already. Adding organic matter keeps the soil fertile.

Step 7:

Using the spade, mix the organic matter into the soil at a depth of about 12 inches.

Photos: Fiskars, Duncraft, Real Estate, Amy Pennington.