Home made summer fruit Slush Puppies #JustRefresh • Featuring Ocean Spray

There's something magical about this time of year. It feels like in a flash the seasons have blasted straight from summer to winter and then back again. One minute the house is bathed in sunlight, the walls soaking up the sunshine and like a camel soaking up water for winter, the next the rain is lashing down and there's a distinctive chill in the air first thing in the morning, where you can just see a whisper of your breath.

The garden is changing colour too, the deep raspberries and cranberry colours withstanding the changing season whilst the delicate sweet pea pinks and fuchsia hydrangeas are all starting to fade and disappear for another year.

Today was back to the deep blue skies and the perfect excuse to actually take a moment to relish what Sundays were made for. Relaxing! I set up the swinging seat and just sat.

When I got the chance to get creative with Ocean Spray as part of their Just Refresh campaign I knew exactly what the boys and I would make. Inspired by the very same rich burgundy colours as the flowers in the garden I set about divising a recipe for summer and an easy entertaining idea to see us through to winter! I love that the garden is full of colour at this time of year, it makes my day so much brighter. Just like when I see the boys running across the garden, picking a flower for me with their blunt ended play scissors from the doctor's toy set. These little moments get you through the greyer autumnal days don't they?! Sometimes you need those colourful moments, not just when the sun is shining. Just how Ocean Spray does the same, adds a delightful, vibrant colour to everyday life all through the year with its refreshing taste.

I am all about ease and speed. Ideas that you can russell up that will wow your friends and family. 

Home made slush puppie sorbet

There's something about a slush puppie that takes me right back to my childhood, such a treat that would leave your tongue as pink as your drink. But I want to get more goodness into my boys and a last of the summer berries slushy was the perfect excuse. 

Ingredients

• Generous handful strawberries
• Generous handful blueberries
• Generous handful raspberries
• 100g granulated sugar
• 1 bottle 330ml Cranberry Classic Juice from Ocean Spray
• Edible petals to serve

Add all your ingredients to a blender and whizz until smooth. There's no need to boil your sugar beforehand just blend and go!

Once blended to a puree pour into a shallow dish that is suitable for the freezer. A lasagne dish is perfect for this recipe.

Set in the freezer for an hour then break up the mix with a fork, You could leave it to set completely more like a sorbet but I prefer the slushy type texture. Leave to set for another 3-4 hours.

Camembert, Bacon & Cranberry stuffed Yorkshire Puddings

Let it be said there's not much I can't stuff in a yorkshire pudding. They are the most versatile saviour to have in your freezer along side frozen puff pastry. No one can resist them, especially when you stuff them with the taste of Christmas. Ssh yes I know we have only just tipped into autumn but bear with me, they are worth it. 

So straightforward the children can take part, no stirring, no weighing and in 6-8 minutes you will hear oohs and aahs from everyone around the plate!

I wanted to make something sumptuous but simple. It takes seconds to stuff these bad boys and about as long to devour them!

Ingredients

• Frozen yorkshire puddings or make your own. But if you do you need to wait until the rise to fill them.
• Sliced camembert
• Red onion chutney
• Ocean Spray Craisins dried cranberries
• Crispy bacon 
• Rosemary to garnish

Fill your puddings with a hunk of camembert, a dollop of onion chutney, a sprinkle of craisins and a spattering of bacon. Pop a sprig of rosemary on the top for a splash of green and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes in a hot oven 200 degrees, until the cheese is bubbly.

The cranberries will pop in your mouth like pockets of sweetness against the creamy smooth camembert. Make them to liven up your Sunday roast or save them for a Thanksgiving or Christmas idea. Watch with delight as everyone flights over the last one!

I love our dinner tables to be bursting with colour, with our brightly painted plates and rainbow hues. The boys respond to pops of red and green, like today, a Sunday pie, swede and carrot mash with broccoli cheese and childhood favourite peas. 

If you want to recreate these recipes or find inspiration for others head over to Ocean Spray. I love their spirit of resourcefulness and how you can substitute cranberry juice for so many other staples you may have in the fridge. I had no idea the company is a Co-Operative and is owned by over 700 cranberry farmers and 35 Florida grapefruit farmers. They've stayed true to the principle established in 1930. Now what would you make?

A cranberry cocktail or bake something stuffed with craisins! I'd love to know, what else should we try?

I'm working with BritMums and Ocean Spray highlighting the everyday moments of colour that give each of us a little lift, just like Ocean Spray adds colour to our day and delights us all year round. I have been compensated for my time. All editorial and opinions are my own. Visit Ocean Spray for more information.