Apple tree counting and worm in the apple spelling!

I only have an infant right now, so I don't have anyone to do these activities with. Never too soon to plan ahead, though! 

Apple tree counting

What you need: a few sheets of felt, glue, scissors and staples. 

Cut out your shapes. 

Glue your apple basket just around the edges like this so you can store the apples while you're not using them. 

Like this:

Staple the edges together and you have a book! 

Remove the apples from the tree and practice counting, adding and subtraction! (Hint: you don't glue the apples down) 

Worm in the apple counting

What you need: 

Construction paper 

Watercolor paint 

Sharpie 

Exacto knife 

Scissors and glue 

Cut out your apple and carefully cut the slits in the apple for the Popsicle stick to slide through. 

Glue on your leaf, paint your "worm," and add letters. 

Use the backside, too, so you aren't wasting resources! :) 

Have fun spelling!! 

Leaf candleholder

Do you love leaves, but don't have a way to use them as decoration? Here's a project for you! Go gather up a handful of those beauties before they get trampled by little feet and make this beautiful fall-inspired candleholder!

Supplies: 

First, cover your jar with mod podge: 

Start placing leaves: 

Cover each leaf with another layer of mod podge. Don't worry, it dries clear. 

My husband suggested some glitter, so it's not pictured in the supplies. 

Let dry overnight. Add ribbon or twine and there you have it!

Popsicle stick puzzle!

Do you need 5 minutes to fix your makeup, or take the dog out to potty? Have a few easy, fun puzzles on hand to entertain your little to buy yourself some time! 

I use watercolor paint

Paint the Popsicle sticks and let dry 

Draw on picture of your choice (I'm no artist)

And voila! That'll keep the kid busy for at least enough time to put on your mascara!

Chicken corn chowder

There's almost nothing I love more than coming in from a chilly day outside raking leaves (and keeping the kids from eating leaves) to a warm bowl of soup. I love making soups and stews because they're easy to customize and you can substitute all kinds of ingredients. They're not strict like other dishes. So, here is my corn chowder, which can be made vegetarian and gluten free! 

Ingredients: 

3 chicken breasts (boiled and shredded) 

A few pieces of bacon, cooked and diced

An onion 

A few tablespoons of oil to sauté

A couple gloves of diced garlic 

2 T flour or cornstarch

3-4 taters, peeled and diced 

Paprika

Salt 

Pepper

6-8 c broth 

2 c. Of milk, heavy cream or half and half 

3-4 ears of corn or whatever corn you have on hand (frozen, canned, doesn't matter!) 

1 T butter (optional) 

First, boil your chicken until cooked (or, use leftover rotisserie chicken, or even thanksgiving turkey!) 

Next, cook up your bacon and set aside 

Start sautéing your onion 

Add in your garlic 

Meanwhile, prepare your potatoes 

Continue watching your onion and garlic until it looks like this, and season as desired with salt and pepper. 

Next, add in a couple T of flour or cornstarch to make a roux. 

Cornstarch is the gluten free option. Either will work just fine! Promise! 

Make sure to stir until the flour is all absorbed.

Slowly add in broth and whisk the entire time (medium heat) 

Also add in your milk/cream (you could probably use coconut milk or soy milk too!) Make sure the onions don't have clumps of flour stuck to them. They should look like this:

Next, dump in your potatoes and corn. 

Then add in some paprika

I like to add in a T of real butter. Because butter is amazing with corn and potatoes. 

Then, turn the pot up to boil, then once it reaches a boil turn it down to simmer. Hint: place a wooden spoon over the top of the pot to keep it from boiling over! 

The potatoes should be tender like this: 

Add in your meat and continue to let simmer for the meat to get heated up, then you're ready to go! 

Perfect for a chilly fall day!