Doll Can Create

There’s something wonderfully grounding about the rhythm of peeling apples on a chilly morning. The kitchen fills with the scent of cinnamon and cider. The kettle hums in the background. For a moment, the whole world feels still. This is slow living at its finest. It is a reminder that homegrown goodness often sits right within 100 miles of our front door.

A Local Harvest in a Pot

The apples came from a nearby orchard just down the road. They are crisp and tart. The apples are also speckled with the soft blush of late autumn. Honey from local hives replaces the sugar, and the apple cider is pressed locally too. (I use apple juice I have on hand) It’s simple, but that’s the beauty of it. When we choose local ingredients, we’re not just making food. We are preserving community and taste. We also keep alive the stories of the land that sustain us.

The Recipe

You’ll Need

• 4 local apples (Honeycrisp, Cortland, or whatever your orchard grows best)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup local apple cider
• ½ cup honey or brown sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
• ½ tsp each of cloves and allspice
• Optional: a few slices of ginger or lemon for brightness

How To

1. Peel and core your apples, then slice into even rings.
2. In a saucepan, combine the cider, water, honey, and spices. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes — this is the scent of cozy days ahead.
3. Add your apple rings and simmer until tender, about 10–15 minutes.
4. Let them cool in their syrup and store in jars in the fridge.

These spiced rings are delightful over oatmeal. They are tasty tucked beside roast pork. You can also eat them straight from the jar while standing at the window watching leaves swirl down the street.

Why It Matters

Living the 100-Mile Life isn’t about perfection. It’s about paying attention. Notice what grows near us. Appreciate the hands that cultivate it. Follow the pace that feels right for the season we’re in. Each jar of spiced apple rings is a quiet act of belonging. It connects us to our neighbours, our soil, and our sense of home.

So as the wind turns cooler and the days shorten, let the warmth of cinnamon and cider fill your kitchen. You’re not just preserving apples — you’re preserving a way of life.

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What’s growing near you this season? Visit a local orchard, farm stand, or honey producer and see what simple, slow recipes you can bring home.#100MileLife and #DollCanCreate — let’s celebrate the flavour of where we live.