It’s fall and I’m thrilled. Fall has always been my favorite season. When I was young, I loved it because it was the season of my birthday. Now that I’m old and birthdays aren’t as anticipated as they once were, I love the crisp chill in the air, the trees wrapped in a cloak of reds, yellows and oranges, the pumpkin spice lattes, the cozy sweaters, and the holiday spirit that begins to invade homes.
At least, that’s what midwestern falls are like.
When we lived in Minnesota, we joked about how the seasons were cold, colder, coldest, arctic. Florida is the opposite. Fall is hot and windy, winter is warm, spring is hot and rainy, and summer is a cousin of Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace.
Since most of Florida’s foliage is made up of pine, palm and other trees that don’t shed, we don’t get to look out the window and see the world aglow. There is very little “crispy” air. How can you drink pumpkin lattes without the chill? Who would voluntarily put on a wool sweater when it’s 85 degrees outside?
Perhaps I’m overexaggerating. If I remember correctly, last time we lived here it did get cool in the fall/winter months. But you get the point – Florida falls are much different than those of the Midwest. However, I want to take advantage of the season and have as many “fallish” experiences as possible. I thought I’d share a fall bucket list! I won’t do all of these, but I hope that it will give you some ideas for fun autumn activities. 🙂 Enjoy!
#1: Bake Fall Foods
Pumpkin, apples, sweet potatoes, and those warm delicious spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. Ahh. There is nothing that puts me in the “fall spirit” quite as much as baking foods that I associate with the season.
You can make caramel apples, pumpkin bread, apple cider, pies, chili, and all kinds of various warm soups.
#2: Candles
Whenever I walk into a store that has candles, my mind immediately links it with fall. A good caramel or chai candle can give the whole house a lovely fallish atmosphere.
#3: Make a Fall Playlist
We have taste, smell, and now hearing! I’ve always loved the idea of having an autumn playlist, but I’m never quite sure what music goes well with the season. According to YouTube, it’s jazzy instrumental type songs. I don’t like that style at all. If you have any genres or specific songs that you associate with fall, let me know in the comments below!
#4: Write a Novella
NaNoWriMo has tragically closed, however, that doesn’t mean that we can’t keep up the tradition and write a novel or novella during November. Fall themed, anyone?
#5: Make a Leaf Pile
This is for my friends out in the Midwest (and other places in the country that don’t have sub-tropical trees). I have so many good memories from when we lived in Kansas City. My siblings and I would make massive piles of leaves, dive into them, throw them everywhere, have leaf fights and make a general mess of the yard.
A great way to serve older folks in your neighborhood is to help with yardwork and getting their leaves picked up.
#6: Go Apple Picking
Visiting a local orchard and picking apples is a lovely activity. We did this when we lived in Minnesota and had a great time. The extra apples can be made into pies and other fallish desserts.
#7: Attend a Fall Festival
I love festivals. The music, the people, the atmosphere. The atmosphere is best with the usual midwestern weather, however, it can be fun no matter what the climate is like.
#8: Fall Cleaning
Everyone (in theory) does spring cleaning, but why not do some fall cleaning as well? Get the house sparkling and all ready for winter!
#9: Cozy Crafts
I am always inspired to be creative when the cooler months roll around. Whether that be writing, sewing, crocheting, baking, etc. the downtime and coziness of autumn provide the perfect backdrop for crafting.
#10: Decorate for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving often gets overshadowed by Christmas. Decorating for the fall festival is a great way to remind us of all the wonderful gifts God has blessed us with.
#11: Celebrate Reformation Day
We don’t celebrate Halloween (I’ve shared my reasons why here and here), but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate something on the 31st. Reformation Day is a wonderful time to think on the Reformation.
#12: Hike (and look at fall colors)
Again, this one is better suited for those of you in places other than Florida. If you live somewhere with lots of fall colors, go and get out in them! Marvel at the beauty of God’s creation. If you live in Florida…go visit the beach.
#13: Food Competitions
Host a chili, pie, or pumpkin bake off. It’s a great way to bring your community together and you get to try some delicious food in the process!
#14: Campfires
Nothing screams fall like sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows for s’mores. We’ve found that this works, even if you live in a warm place like Florida. Just ignore the mosquitoes and the fact that it’s 80 degrees. S’mores taste just as good. 😉
#15: Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot
The fall holidays aren’t limited to Halloween and Thanksgiving! My family has had a wonderful time celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. Lots of food, music, and laughter.
~Hattush
What are some things that make it feel like fall to you? Do you have any fall traditions? What is your favorite time of the year?
Daughter of the Light 