Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Caramel Apple French Toast

By Inger Nov 22, 2025 Breakfast 2 Comments

Creamy sweet and rich, caramel apple French toast will make you revel in the bountiful fall. Get it before the snow flies!

As Christmas approaches, there’s still time for a one more fall recipe. Hooray!

Of course, we do have Thanksgiving which will give us a full quota of entrees and sides (like the classic Betty Crocker French Apple Pie). And for breakfast how about a nice Apple French Toast!

The inspiration for this Caramel Apple French Toast came from breakfast (shown above) at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, WI, a favorite breakfast spot. One bite and I knew I had to do something similar. With flavors of apple caramel and pecan, it’s warm sweet and filled with the essence of the season.

I decided to change things up a bit and “stuff” my version with apples and cream cheese. I love the way that the tangy cream cheese balances the warm sweet flavors of apple and caramel! Yes cream cheese does makes everything better! Read more

Tom and Jerry Batter

By Inger Nov 21, 2025 Beverages 2 Comments

There’s nothing quite like a hot toddy to warm you when winter sets in. Here is a recipe for Tom and Jerry Batter to make the classic alcoholic beverage.

Tom and Jerry

They say every cloud has its silver lining. And one of winter’s has to be the hot toddy—a warm, often sweet, alcoholic beverage. Like Hot Buttered Rum, spiked hot cocoa, or today’s Tom and Jerry cocktail.

The boozy drinks always take me back to my youth when we had a cabin across the street from a Wisconsin ski hill. I didn’t ski but that didn’t mean I didn’t have fun. I used to watch my father’s bright orange hat go up and down the ski hill as he did a series of runs. Then as soon as the motion stopped, I’d slip on my boots and head for the attached restaurant.

My father would be seated at the bar sipping a hot toddy. And before you knew it there was another bar stool and a drink for me. Yup, who needs skis!

Cheers! Read more

(Holiday) Welsh Cakes

By Inger Nov 19, 2025 Cookies & Candies, Desserts & Snacks 4 Comments

Light, sweet and cinnamon-y, Welsh Cakes are like a cross between a cookie, pancake, and scone! Add cranberry and orange for the holidays.

If you have a daughter study in Britain, you might find a few benefits for you. Like when she brings home a recipe for Welsh cakes!

Easy and crowd-pleasing, it was her go to recipe when she needed to bring food to a party or event!

These cookie-like griddle cakes are a modern take on a traditional flatbread. Cooked on griddles or flat stones, the original savory cakes helped sustain Welsh miners since Medieval days (source: Wikipedia).

Add some dried fruit and sugar–and everything old is new again! And if you go with Cranberry Orange Welsh Cakes, it’s perfect for the holidays! Read more

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream

By Inger Nov 17, 2025 Desserts & Snacks 6 Comments

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream is fun and tasty with this easy recipe. Perfect for a holiday dessert or anytime!

Peppermint ice cream has always had a special place in my heart. For one thing, it’s a perfect flavor for holiday noshing. Yes, even in a chilly climate, Wisconsin eats ice cream all year!

But it’s even more special if it comes about as a special Christmas gift

You see, I always enjoyed peppermint ice cream, but it wasn’t something you could readily find in the stores. So when my younger (always broke) brother asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told him I’d like crushed candy canes.

He made a small financial investment in candy canes, then a big labor investment crushing them in time for Christmas. And mixed with vanilla ice cream, it made delicious peppermint ice cream that I enjoyed all winter! A perfect win-win!

And I still love it today—especially homemade! Read more

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