Autumn brings to mind apples, cider, squash and the savory sweet taste of pumpkin pie and bread. It's also the time of year when the kids start spending a little more time indoors and need some activities and snacks to occupy their minds and hands. Try out these fall themed recipes and projects.

Simmered Fall Punch

Ingredients:

2 cups apple juice

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

2 or 3 cloves

Simmer on the stove for 20-30 minutes. Take out cloves before serving.

Banana Pumpkin Shake

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons canned pumpkin

1 banana

dash of cinnamon

Blend in blender until smooth and foamy. Serve immediately.

Applesauce Cinnamon Salad

Ingredients:

2 (3 ounce) packages raspberry gelatin

2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup cinnamon candies

4 cups applesauce

Add gelatin to boiling water and candies.Stir in applesauce and chill until firm.

Creamy Orange Dip and Fruit

Ingredients:

1 package cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

1/3 cup crushed pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Place in a nice bowl and surround on a tray or platter with strawberries, kiwis, grapes, apple slices, oranges, pear and peach slices. You may use all of these or some. If your kids are like mine and don't like nuts, you can leave those out if you wish.

Autumn Activities

*Humorous Cards for Friends and Family

Kid's love corny humor, and making things to give away. Set them down with paper, crayons, markers and these jokes. They can make special fall cards for friends and family.

-What did the little ear of corn call his father? Pop Corn

-Why did the jelly roll? Because it saw the apple turnover.

-What is the difference between a strawberry and a cucumber? One is in a jam and the other is in a pickle.

*Preserving Fall Leaves

You will need:

Dried leaves

floor wax

a bowl

newspaper

waxed paper

an old catalog or phone book

old or inexpensive paint brushes

Gather some pretty fall leaves once they have fallen. Lay newspapers down on a work surface. Pour some wax into the bowl. Have the kids carefully brush wax onto the leaves. This will make them shiny. To dry, place them between two pieces of wax paper and place between the catalog or phone book pages. Use to make cards or decorate the windows and doors.