Six Fall Favorites

As much as I LOVE Summer, I would have to say that my next favorite season is Fall.  Living in Michigan, we have short Summers and long Winters, but it is the Fall season that is absolutely beautiful.  Not only do we get to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves along the Lakeshore, but I have always felt that Fall has the best atmosphere.  So without further ado, here are my six favorite things that get me excited about the coming of Fall (in no particular order).

1. Leaves changing

One of my favorite things to do is take long walks and drives with my husband.  The best time to do this is during the Fall season.  Especially when Fall colors are at its peak.  Last year, we went camping near Charlevoix, Michigan.  While up there, we drove through what is called The Tunnel of Trees.  While we were there a little early, if you are ever near Harbor Springs, Michigan in the Fall, I would definitely recommend taking this 20-mile drive along Highway 119 - you won't be disappointed (we loved driving through it and the colors weren't even changing yet!).   Michigan also has many Fall Color Tours throughout the state - be sure to check them out at Michigan Fall Color Tours.  The changing colors of the leaves remind me what an amazing artist God truly is.

2. Pumpkins

via The Butlers Blog

via Beauty and the Beard

I know so many people relate pumpkins with Halloween, but I personally relate them to Fall.  Right now, we are starting to notice all the farms around us beginning to gather all of the gourds they have been growing - with pumpkins soon to be following!  You can do so many things with pumpkins other than just carving them.  There are so many cute ideas out there that deal with decorating with pumpkins, and there are so many more recipes that are delicious!  My favorite is baked pumpkin seeds.

3. Apples

Last year, during the end of March, we had a week of abnormally warm temperatures.  Which was perfect for my husband and I because that was the week of our wedding.  Having a wedding in March, in Michigan, we were worried about the real possibility of an early Spring snowstorm.  With about 80% of our guests traveling from out-of-state, that would not have been good!  But with the temperatures in the 70-80s that week, that stressor was taken away, and we were even able to get wedding shots done on the beach!  But with that warm-up, and then the week later a big cool-down, almost all of the apple crops were destroyed.  And with that went away the chance of going apple picking.  And apple cider, and apple cider donuts, and apple butter, and apple pies, and the list could go on. 

Needless to say, I am SO excited that this year all of the apple crops around us are doing so good!  I've already pulled out a few favorite apple recipes, and am planning to go apple picking in the next couple of weeks.  I think my husband is most excited about apple cider donuts!

4. Football

You can't talk about Fall without mentioning Football!  I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, so it goes without saying that my family are big Bears fans.  Which can sometimes be difficult living in the wonderful state of Michigan (those Lions fans sure are loyal)!  My husband also lived in the Chicago-land area for many years, so he's quite the Bears fan too, luckily :)  Last year was really the first year that I actually sat down and enjoyed watching Football though.  You know that thing called Fantasy Football?  Yeah, I totally got sucked in!  My younger brother got my parents, sisters, and my husband and I to start a league together - and this is our second year doing it.  It is so much fun, and a great thing to bring us all together - whether we are able to watch some of the games together or not.  If your family is into football, create a family league for a fun time!

5. Fall Fashion

via Fash for Fashion

Like I mentioned above, I LOVE Summer.  But towards the end of August, I truly start getting excited to be able to pull out all those sweaters of mine as well as my boots!  There is nothing I enjoy more (in terms of fashion) than being able to go outside in a warm sweater and my jeans and boots.  Fall fashions are some of my favorite to follow.  And those boot cuffs that are popping up everywhere - I love those.  Be sure to stop by my Etsy shop - hand-knitted boot cuffs will be making their appearance in the next couple of weeks!

6. Soups

via Julie Van Rosendaal at Babble

There is nothing better than a cup of warm soup on a cool Fall day.  During our first year of marriage, some of our favorite meals to make were soups (check some out here).  This year, we hope to find many more soups that can be made in the crockpot and cook all day long while my husband and I are both at work!  One of our favorite things to make along with our soups are bread bowls to serve the soup in (check it out here)!

There are so many things that are great about Fall, but these would definitely have to be my top 6!

What are your favorite things about Fall?

This post has been shared at:

Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop