This week’s weather informs me that we are in the midst of fall, and I. am. LOVING. it!!!
The cool, crisp air. The crunch of leaves on the street. The whir of combines in the fields and the hum of grain dryers. They all make me feel soo cozy! I just want to wrap up in a snuggie on my porch, sip on warm apple cider, and admire the gorgeous array of oranges, reds, yellows, and plums encompassing the changing treetops.
Oh yeah, no doubt about it, fall is my absolute FAVORITE season!
I mean really, who doesn’t adore all of the football tailgating shenanigans, bizarre jack-o-lantern faces, corn-husk and straw-bale décor, the enjoyable terror of Halloween haunted houses, the stunning beauty of the leaves bursting with color, and pumpkin or apple-spice flavored everything?! Not to mention, it’s a break from the hot, humid, sticky summers the Midwest tends to unleash on us. Plus, it’s boot, leggings, and scarf season… enough said! Fall has clearly captured my heart in more ways than one! Can you tell? =)
Our family had a chance to relish in the glory of it all last week when we visited the pumpkin patch at Sass Family Farms outside of Riverside. If I can make a suggestion – go as soon as your little ones are out of school for the day. We were the only ones there at 3:30 and it was a blast! They have soo many kid-friendly activities: a petting zoo, a not-too-terrifying haunted barn, hay-rack rides, a straw maze, a bouncy house, a corn kernel shed (my kiddos’ favorite… and my husband’s too), tractors and lots of playground equipment, tire swings, crafts and antiques, and multiple Halloween and fall displays for the perfect photo ops. They also have a fabulous farmers market and gobs of pumpkins, gourds, flowers, produce, and other fall decorations for sale. Please consider visiting, and if you’d like more info, check out their website here.
It truly is such a wonderful season. And we do try our best to take advantage of it before the brisk Iowa winter sets in. (Don’t get me wrong, I much prefer the cold over the heat, but winters here can get harsh… and quickly.)
What are your family’s favorite fall activities? Do you prefer to make your memories inside or outdoors this time of year? And do any of you fabulous readers have some leaf crafts you’d mind sharing with me?