It’s officially September and I’ve definitely got fall on my mind!
Our road trip has been an absolute blast so far. And I know what you’re thinking…Christina, why are you writing this post while on vacation? Well, I wasn’t planning on it…but I felt really inspired and couldn’t wait to share some of these ideas with you all. Plus Little Miss is sleeping and this is a very fun way to keep myself entertained while being stuck in our hotel room for the moment.
I plan on sharing some pictures and more details of our trip either later this week or sometime next week 🙂 .
After spending the past few days in the Smoky Mountains where I spotted a few trees that are already changing colors, I have been so excited thinking about the same happening at home in Chicago in a few weeks. Fall is upon us!
Now that Little Miss is in full on toddler mode, I’m constantly making lists of fun things I want to do with her to keep us all entertained. She just started walking a few weeks ago and I can’t get over how much she’s growing and learning new things. I really love seeing her reactions to new experiences, and can’t wait to start some fall traditions with her that we can do every year as a family.
I hope these simple ways to enjoy fall inspire you to create traditions of your own that you’ll look forward to year after year!
Simple ways to enjoy fall:
- Attend a fall festival
- Decorate your home with some easy and inexpensive fall decor ideas
- Eat all the apple cider donuts you can get your hands on. I only discovered the amazingness that the apple cider donut is when a co-worker introduced me to one a few years back. Seriously so good!
- Visit a local pumpkin patch and corn maze
- Pick apples at an apple orchard, and then make some homemade apple pie or crisp (and invite me over to enjoy with you…)
- If you live somewhere the leaves change colors, get outside and soak in the beauty of it all!
- Treat yourself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte and an afternoon of strolling around town in the crisp autumn air
- Spend a day trying out some new soup and chili recipes to help warm you up on a cool fall day (if you have a favorite – please do share it with us all in the comments below). Nothing like a nice warm meal as the weather cools down!
- Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon watching football. Although I’m not the biggest football fanatic, my hubby loves it and it’s fun for me to see how into it he gets.
- Watch Hocus Pocus and love every second of it
- Have a backyard bonfire complete with s’mores and maybe even sip some apple cider
- Rake all the leaves in your yard into a big pile and jump in them. Bonus points if you get sweet jumping photos too. I can’t wait to do this with Little Miss, she has been having a blast jumping in and throwing wood chips at the playground lately, so I figure this will be right up her alley 😉
What simple ways to enjoy fall do you plan on doing in the coming months? Any fall traditions that you love?
I like bike riding most of all in the fall months! My little Prince loves to be outside on the back of the bike observing all of outside during the ride.
I can’t with leave jumping because I’m horrified of the idea that spiders may get on me.
Haha Shirria! I try not to think about the spiders, eek.
We will have a few camping trips! The Fall is the most beautiful time to be out in nature especially in NY. A fire all day to read a book and listen to the leaves fall is just plain r e l a x i n g. It also is a great time to make chili or soups which mean really easy meals 🙂
I’ve never been one to go camping Lisa, but you sure are making it sound absolutely lovely! 🙂 I might ease into it and just make a bonfire in the backyard, heh!
Stop reading this comment and go back to being on vacation! 😛 I remember how much you love fall so I’m sure this really was fun for you to write! I’m finally looking forward to the cooler weather as well – and all the pretty leaves changing colors! I’m making it a point this year to get outside and take way more photos than I have in the past!
Haha! You would be so proud of me, I didn’t do any commenting while I was gone. That’s one of my goals too – I’m thinking a fall photo excursion together? 🙂
All fun ideas! We love playing in the leaves every fall!
Heck yes Kara!
I’m glad you’re enjoying your trip! To celebrate fall, I really want some of those pumpkin donuts you posted a picture of previously. It’s sad how many times I’ve thought about those…
Haha everyone keeps talking about those, and I haven’t stopped thinking about them either. They are on the agenda for this upcoming weekend! 😉
Great ideas and it reminded me I bought Hocus Pocus last year and will need to be sure to watch it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
That’s awesome Lisa, enjoy!!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Smoky Mountains. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.
I love fall. I can’t wait to go for cool walks with Allie, dress her up for Halloween & eat everything pumpkin.
It was absolutely stunning Sara, you would love it!!
I’m so excited for cooler weather to make my white chicken chili! And I love all the fall candle scents this time of year. Fall is short in Minnesota, but beautiful!
White chicken chili?! Yum! Can you share your recipe? I’d love to try it out 🙂
It’s the funniest thing, but my kids always look forward to jumping in leaf piles too! It’s like they instantly forget all the work of raking up the pile. And, can I just say, a pumpkin spice latte splurge is a wonderful treat. I have them put half of the syrup in it. Apparently it has actual pumpkin in it this year, ha ha.
Haha I heard about the actual pumpkin too. I actually got an iced PSL while we were in North Carolina last week (I have always gotten it hot in the past, but it was 95 degrees there so that wasn’t happening). It SO did not disappoint!
Sidewalk chalk. Draw pictures. Play hopscotch. A blog friend of mine parked his RV in his brother’s driveway and his nieces drew him a lake with dock to park beside. Now I’m remembering Mary Poppins with Bert’s sidewalk drawings then kite flying so add fly kites to the list. And soccer–it’s cool enough to run around like that in the fall. Oh, I could go on and on. 🙂
Awesome ideas Linda! And that is absolutely adorable that his nieces drew all that, I love it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I lave fall in NYC and it is coming in, I can feel and smell it coming.
The moment Starbucks brings out their ‘come in for pumpkin spice latte’ sign – you know it is official. 🙂 probably a couple of more weeks. Can;t wait!
Oh yeah Mariana!! Haha I saw one of those signs in Charlotte last week and got my first PSL – it was AMAZING. Totally didn’t disappoint 🙂
I can’t wait to visit the apple orchard and pumpkin patch this fall. I also need to work on putting together some fun fall projects so my son can help me decorate the house. Glad to hear that you are having nice trip! 🙂
Thanks Chonce! And agreed, we didn’t do the apple orchard or pumpkin patch last year just because it seemed like a pain with a baby. But we are 110% hitting up both this year. I can’t wait!
Fall doesn’t really come to Southern California like the rest of the country, so I have to settle for fall scented candles and fall flavors in the kitchen. It’s not quite the same, but it’s worth it for the warmer weather. 🙂
Haha it’s okay Jessica, I’ll be envious of you when it’s -30 with windchill here in Chicago when January rolls around 😉
My little guy just started walking a couple months ago, so I’m eager to start some fall traditions with him too! We live in Florida so fall is a little different down here, but I’ll be enjoying all the pumpkin and apple foods for sure! Have a great rest of your trip!
That’s awesome Emily, isn’t walking such a bittersweet milestone? I love it but at the same time am so sad that she’s definitely not a baby anymore.
I absolutely love fall, so reading this post got me really excited. I also have a baby who just started walking and we’re really excited about the cooler weather and playing in the leaves. Long walks, the pumpkin patch, hearty soups, I can’t wait!!!
That’s awesome Jess! I can’t wait either, there’s something about having a little one too that makes all these things seem extra special.
Here is my most favorite and the ABSOLUTE BEST soup to make for fall:
Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
1 1/2 c. Water
2 c. Cubed, peeled potatoes
2 small carrots, grated
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 c. Chopped green bell pepper
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded & chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T. Beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. salt
1 lb. ground beef, cooked & drained
2 1/2 c. Milk, divided
3 T. Flour
8 oz. American Cheese, cubed (I find that sliced sandwich cheese, Velveeta, works and tasted best!)
1/4-1 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 lb. sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
In a large saucepan, combine the first nine ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover & simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in beef and 2 c. Of milk; heat through. Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add cayenne if desired. Top with bacon just before serving.
Makes 6-8 servings (about 2 quarts)
ENJOY & HAPPY FALL!!!!!
You rock Morgan! Thanks so much for sharing this, I can’t wait to make it myself. Looks so delicious! 🙂
You have inspired me to make my own “Fall To-Do” list and frame it and put it in my living area. We live full time in our RV, so I will be able to sample some items in several states. Also i was reading some of your earlier posts (since i have just begun following you recently) and wondered how the no-new- clothing resolve was going. i am enjoying your posts
I loved fall SO much while I was living on the East Coast, but sadly in Houston there are no pretty leaves to look at or jump in. I still try to embrace fall to the fullest, though…especially when it comes to the food!! I’ve never tried an Apple Cider donut, but if I see one, I will be ordering it ASAP.
Aw that’s okay, there are definitely plenty of ways to enjoy fall with just the foods! Definitely try an apple cider donut. I also tried an iced Pumpkin Spice Latte for the first time this year (I usually always get it hot) and it was delicious, maybe give that a go!
I typically hate the fall because it means summer is over and winter is coming. I actually wrote a post a little while back about my strategies for dealing with the changing of seasons (and any seasons of change), but this list helped me remember that there are good things about fall. I’m intrigued by the apple cider donuts, I’ve never had one before. And just this week I had my first ever pumpkin spice latte, and it was pretty good!