For most of my childhood, I did not like History class. I had the world’s worst History teachers. They made history seem dry and boring.
That was until a student teacher my sophomore year in High School. He taught History like he had lived in each era. He brought in props, games, and made us role play important scenes in history.
A teacher can truly make or break your love for a subject. Ever since sophomore year in high school I have loved learning about history and even managed to never get another horrid history teacher.
I love reading historical novels and watching movies that tell a historical story. When we go on vacation I really enjoy finding the places with bits of our nation’s history! My two favorite places so far have been Williamsburg, and Philadelphia.
It’s President’s Day today and the kids get a day off from school! Today we have the chance to hang out and enjoy some family time! We are also discovering cool facts about the reason why we celebrate President’s Day.
We are talking about President Abe Lincoln and what things he was best known for. My kids also want to know about him as a person. What did he like to do, and eat? We think about food often!
Turns out that President Abe Lincoln loved fruit. Especially apples. It is said that Mary Lincoln always kept a large, fresh supply on hand.
President Lincoln didn’t eat very much and often for dinner he would feast on fresh fruit like apples, cheese and bread. He loved apples in sweet breads and cakes as well!
So, today in honor of President Abraham Lincoln we are sharing 4 of our favorite apple recipes!
This Apple Monkey Bread is a sweet, sugary, apple sweet treat that has one secret ingredient that creates a caramel taste!
These Apple Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars are a sugar cookie bottom spread with creamy peanut butter cream cheese filling, topped with apples and drizzled with warm caramel!
Bits of baked pie crust, and chunks of fresh apple folded into a creamy homemade ice cream make this Apple Pie Ice Cream something worth making all year long!
This Baked Apple Recipe is fresh apples filled with apple pie filling and covered in a lattice pie crust.
What is your favorite cool fact that you know about President Abraham Lincoln?
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard says
What a neat way to bring history to life. I hated history too, until I accidentally got enough credits in college to teach it as a minor to my English degree. Making it real and alive and fitting in all the content was always a challenge, but I loved it so much more when I was able to bring it to life. I used to live where Lincoln once debated and practiced law. There was something involving a pig, but I don’t remember the story, but there was a statue of Lincoln and a pig in the town square.
CathyM says
Thank you so Jennifer! You sound like you were a great History Professor! Oh, how cool to live near a very cool part of history!
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard says
Right now, we’re living minutes away from the start to the trail of tears. As a homeschooling mama, I love it. We got to tour the original Fort in our area that served as an outpost in the 1800s and see where the Creek Nation lived. My 5 year old might not remember it from one trip, but we go back often and explore different parts of the historical site.
CathyM says
Oh wow, how awesome Jennifer to live so close!! Have the best time on your explorations!
Mary Collins says
I love history too. I know what you mean about some teachers who make history boring. I was in college before history was brought to life for me. Now, I enjoy reading about historical figures and events from the past, watching historical documentaries, and moves. Fun stuff! Love the gooey apple recipes.
CathyM says
Thank you so much Mary! I completely understand about history coming to life! 🙂
Caroline @ In Due Time says
omg! I cut out apples this WEEK and I love APPLES. Haha, drooling now!
CathyM says
Oh no, not apples!! Hopefully they can come back to you soon! THsnks Caroline for stopping over! 🙂
Kristen says
These look AMAZING. Once I get some apples, I’m definitely going to have to try these – another one of my apple favorites is apple bread…so good!
CathyM says
Thanks so much Kristen! I love apple bread too, especially swirled in cinnamon! 🙂
Tara says
These recipes look amazing as usual. I love that you found an educational way to connect food to Abe Lincoln’s birthday!
CathyM says
Thanks so much Tara, I truly appreciate it!
Brianna L. George (@BriannaLGeorge) says
my husband loves apple pie, cake, etc…I will be trying these out! They look so good!!!
CathyM says
Whoo Hoo, let me know how you like them Brianna! 🙂
Anna Clarke says
These look absolutely incredible. WOW! So yummy. Thanks for sharing!!
CathyM says
Thanks so much Anna!
Jed says
Cathy,
Apple recipes are my favorite! I didn’t know they were a favorite of Lincoln too. Our family many need to start a new tradition of apples, on president’s day 🙂
CathyM says
What a great tradition to start Jed! We love apples here too! Enjoy your day! 🙂
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
I love apple desserts too! So yummy.
I’m a former 4th grade teacher and teaching history was my favorite but I tried to hard to make it come alive rather than just reading the facts from the textbook.
CathyM says
Thanks Victoria for stopping over! I too was a teacher and tried to make history jump off the pages! 🙂