Brewed*

(*This is also the tentative name of my first book, which I am nearly finished with!)

I am a "setting the scene" kind of person.

I believe in fresh flowers, candles, decorations, and at Halloween, I believe that my home should look like Jack Skellington puked up All Hollow's Eve magic all over the place.

So last night, being a lovely, lazy Sunday, I made breakfast for dinner for my roommates. I lit a candle, put out a sparkly pumpkin, hung up some bat and spider window clings and played music from "Hocus Pocus."

I also cooked up a pot of hot apple cider, and holy cow, that stuff smells amazing when it's cooking. And it tasted delicious, especially with real whipped cream to top it off.

It's a little incredible how much good a hot beverage can do. For me, nothing makes me feel more prepared to take on the day than a cup of hot coffee or tea. I remember reading somewhere that holding a warm drink makes people literally feel warmer and kinder to others. I believe it.

And hot apple cider is really just a yummy, cozy blanket for your internal organs.

I will definitely be making more of this later this season!

I created a Frankenstein-type hot cider with a variety of different cider recipes, but this one was simple and wonderful.

- HOT APPLE CIDER-

- 6 cups apple cider

- 1/4 cup maple syrup

- 2 tsp cinnamon OR 2 cinnamon sticks

- 1 tsp nutmeg

- Peel from 1 orange

- Peel from 1 lemon

1. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large pot. Turn the stove up to medium-high.

2. Add the spices and fruit peels.

3. Heat for five to ten minutes, until hot. Makes 6 servings.

And that's it! I let it simmer through dinner, too, so we could go back for seconds. I remember my mom making apple cider when I was young, and nothing feels more like autumn than that. What are some of your favorite fall traditions?

Happy Monday!