Now that Autumn has arrived, which is my favorite season, I am so excited to get into the Fall spirit and do all things Fall. Even though here in South Carolina, our weather still feels like Summer, I can feel the winds of change coming and soon, it will be sweater weather, the leaves will cover the ground, and the squirrels will be fat. My kids are almost as excited as I am and are closely watching for the first leaf to fall.
Here are some things I am excited to do this Autumn with my kids, and some without.
1. Get all things Pumpkin Spice
I love it! I know it is probably overrated for some and they see it everywhere, but I love the flavor and it makes the Autumn season feel more real, even when the weather shows otherwise. Not only do I get Starbucks and its varieties of pumpkin spice offerings, but I also bring it into my home! From candles to lotions, to creamers, I have it!
2. Decorate for fall
The kids love it when I change our faux flowers and the sign on our door to the oranges, reds, and whites. I change our decorative pillows and put some pumpkins on the shelves. You can even change your bed covers and sheets to match the season and increase the warmth.
3. Fall Yard Cleaning
This is one of the hardest for me to accomplish having 4 kids that are pretty young. I often have to find outside help to accomplish this but when we have an opportunity, we will all go outside and pull down any vines that have been climbed, dig out any weeds coming through the driveway, and make sure our irrigation system is winter-proofed.
4. Unpack your Fall clothes
I pack our family's fall clothes in airlock bags and put them in our storage closet mid-spring. So this time of year, it is time to put away all the shorts and sandals and bring out the boots and sweaters. I will leave behind any basic tees, spaghetti strap basics, and anything that can be layered. These are what I depend on during the transition days when it's freezing in the morning and blazing in the afternoon.
5. Visit local farms
We love going to festivals in our family! Especially ones with lots of food. In the fall the weather is perfect for outings. We have a wagon for the twins to ride in and the girls sit in it too if they get tired. When deciding on a festival, find one with fun activities like a corn maze, a hay ride, and a place to roast marshmallows. Here near Columbia, SC we have hayrides, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch at Clinton Sease Farm in Lexington. They also have a playground and obstacle course.
6. Go Camping
As the weather begins to cool, now is the perfect time to go camping! It's not too hot and it's not too cold. The leaves are changing and it creates a beautiful scene. Sweep out those tents, pack a cooler, and head to your local campground. I would highly recommend being near a lake to get the full beauty of the land during this season. Make a fire and make smores with the kids while you relax beneath the stars. Here near Columbia, SC we have camping in the Congaree National Forest for just $10. Don't forget your roasting sticks and cast iron cookware!
7. Jump in a leaf pile
With all the leaves falling, even houses without trees will still find themselves with leaves blown in by the wind. Take the opportunity to do something fun while doing yard maintenance. Use a rake or leaf blower to gather the leaves into a forgotten corner of the yard. When the pile is as high as you can get it, take turns jumping in! Make sure you wear long sleeves as there are lots of things in those leaf piles that can be irritating to the skin. When you're done, leave the pile there for little critters to find shelter in during the cold months. Come spring, the pile will have decomposed and you can lay it in your garden beds!
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8. Start a new book
No matter the season, I always recommend reading a good book! In the summer you could read while lounging at the beach, and during the Autumn, you can cozy up in a big blanket, with a cup of coffee, and read away. I prefer to read 1 self-development book, 1 fiction book, and 1 non-fiction book. This stops me from getting bored easily and keeps me always working to better myself. The three books I'm reading now are The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and How To Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess by Dr. Caroline Leaf.
9. Bake a seasonal dish
The classic falltime dish is the apple or pumpkin pie. Both of which I love! I've also fallen in love with Korean pumpkin soup (Hobakjuk) made with kabocha squash. Here is a list of my favorite recipes to prepare during these cooler months.
- Hobakjuk
- White Bean Chili
- French Onion Soup
- Applesauce
- Pumpkin Waffles
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Classic Beef Stew
- Grilled Cheese with Pickled Beets
10. Get family photos
With the scenery changing and colors exploding, now is a perfect time to get family photos! Book your appointment with a photographer now because the good ones get booked up fast. If you're in or near Columbia, my friend Paige Stiles is a wonderful photographer so head to her page, Blank Page Collective and book your next session! Even if she is booked up for the season, I highly recommend getting put on her list and getting your pictures done by her when she is next available.
I would love to include you in my prayers as we both pray over our lives and children. Feel free to email me and let me know how your journey is going.
