Fall – What does it mean to you?

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons, especially when we were living in Denver.  The leaves would change and fall to the ground, waiting for someone to rake them up (not my favorite part).  The temperatures begin to cool; then, you have the opportunity to wear sweaters and boots.  Although, as a former Denverite, there were years when winter would appear early, with a significant snowfall as early as September.  Then, the deciduous tree branches would break because their leaves remained.

Now that I reside in Houston, we are not used to four seasons, usually only two – hot or cold.  Summer (or warm temperatures) occupies most of the year.  Yes, we can periodically get a week or two of fall, but not very often.

Do you enjoy Fall?  What is your favorite thing about this season?

I enjoy the change in colors from green to gold, orange, and crimson.  The aspen trees in Colorado make the most beautiful scenery during this time of year. You will be pleasantly surprised if you can ever drive through the Rocky Mountains during September or October.  It is a view you will never forget.

Many people, during the change of seasons, observe and complain about a scratchy or sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and drainage in their throat.  These ailments are often related to allergies to the outside environment - weeds, trees, grass, and mold.  Over many years, I have participated in allergy shots to help alleviate my symptoms.

One downside to the arrival of Fall is that media, advertisement, and shopping tend to shove the next season on us many months before its arrival.  This can arouse anxiety in anyone.  The key to enjoying Fall is finding things that you find fun and appealing.  It could be apple picking, hayrides, hosting a s’mores party, tackling a corn maze, visiting a fall craft festival, or looking in a pumpkin patch for that perfect pumpkin to carve into a masterpiece.  Or maybe you are a DIY person who loves to make centerpieces or wreaths to adorn your home, decorate your front porch, or give as a gift.  Whatever it is – make the most of it.

I, for one, am abuzz with talk of pumpkin anything, especially pumpkin spice lattes.  I have several fabulous recipes, such as pumpkin torte and pumpkin bread, which I will share with you.  Click the link to download these recipes.

Several other fun activities you might want to consider this Fall are:

1. Make homemade candy apples
2. Make a game of raking up all the leaves, then place a prize inside the stack of leaves as a hidden treasure and have the kids jump in to find it
3. Host a chili cookoff
4. Gather around a firepit and tell scary ghost stories
5. Go horseback riding
6. Make your favorite soup – pumpkin, tomato soup, potato soup or chicken tortilla
7. Host a murder mystery party
8. Go line dancing
9. Stay at a haunted hotel
10. Celebrate Octoberfest

I hope I whet your appetite for something fun to do this Fall with family and friends.

All my best,

Julie

Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti