Dani Wade Style!

Autumn is my favorite season, for more than the averages reasons. Yes, it’s cooler and at this stage of my life I have a deep appreciation for cooler temperatures. Yes, the turning and falling leaves are magical here in the southern US. Some of my favorite colors even make their appearance in fall – coppery orange, buttery yellow, rich burgundy, and chocolate brown. But my favorite part of fall is the cooking! Hot soups on cool nights, dark rich hot chocolate, a crockpot of apple cider, and just about anything pumpkin. Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make your fall that much spicier! QUICK & EASY APPLE CIDER This hot, spicy drink is a must for every family gathering at our house from November 1st to February! I hope it spices up your get-togethers too! 64 oz apple juice 2-4 cups each of orange and pineapple juices (to your particular taste) 3 cinnamon sticks 3 whole cloves 2 allspice Equipment: large crockpot, tea strainer ball Combine all juices into crockpot. Drop cinnamon sticks into mixture. Place cloves and allspice into tea strainer ball and float in the liquid. Heat on high until juice comes to temperature then switch to low. Set out with plenty of cups and a ladle so guests can help themselves throughout the party. PUMPKIN BREAD (recipe courtesy of Emeril Legasse via FoodNetwork.com) 1 teaspoon butter 1/3 cup vegetable shortening 1 cup light brown sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup buttermilk Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Grease 9X5 loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. With an electric mixer, cream shortening and sugar until smooth. Sift flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in separate bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, to the creamed mixture. Add pumpkin puree and mix until smooth. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes (should be golden brown) and a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool before serving. Can be served with cream cheese icing. What's your favorite fall recipe? I'm always looking to add to my collection. Commenters between now and Monday night will be entered to win my goodie package: Candles and Chocolate Kisses (including a Fall Festival candle, Godiva Chocolate Caramel Gems, and a $5 Amazon Gift card). Please include your email address in your comment! Romance author Dani Wade writes sexy suspense novellas, the first of which was released in October 2012. She also writes sexy contemporaries for Harlequin Desire, where she will debut in August of 2013.  You can see more about her books on the BOOKS page, including info on Snow Bound - her debut release.   What do you love about Autumn and Fall? What does it remind you of? What about reading? Do you think it's a good subject to read? Tell us your favorite Autumn stories! Well, we authors are ready to share our favorite Autumn stories and why we love snuggling in the cold.  *wink* Starting on Friday and ending on Nov 12th, over 200 Authors and Bloggers will share their favorite things about those sexy men we know and love.    And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger. You can find a complete list of participating blogs at http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ !  And don't forget to check back in on Tuesday to find out the winner! But that's not all.... We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!