Autumn Is Almost Here! Pastimes That Make It My Favorite Season
This summer, and indeed year, has been a blur for me and consequently I’ve lost all sense of months and weeks. However, just yesterday I realized that we are careening toward the fall…only officially about five weeks away!
Even the weather this past week has dipped into a comfortable cooler temperatures her in NYC —although I’m sure it will go back into the sweltering heat again soon. I find myself starting to drift toward the warm drinks in slightly cooler early mornings and drifting toward the warmer colors of fall decorations. With schools starting in the Midwestern United States and in just a couple weeks here on the East Coast, I do get a strange sense that Halloween and Thanksgiving are both just around the corner.
I will also confess that autumn is my favorite season, even though it doesn’t feature lavender (it’s only downside). So what things do I most look forward to for the fall?
1. Autumn Leaves
I think most people can agree that the arrays of red, orange, and yellow leaves are breathtaking. One of my favorite things to do in early October is to go north of NYC—upstate NY or just a hour outside the city—and go hiking with my family and friends. It’s glorious to see the leaves, feel the fresh breeze, and hear the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet. I highly recommend these hikes for their breathtaking views!
Typically, the leaves north of NYC turn several weeks earlier than leaves in the city. So definitely be mindful of your timing in relation to your location.
2. Apple Picking
Apple picking a a great activity to do with friends and family! And, of course, it also readily invites you to make all the fall spiced apple recipes afterward! The types of apples ready to pick vary through the September and October weeks, depending on the orchard.
Our families favorite orchard so far is Battleview Orchard in New Jersey. They have fantastic apple cider and apple cider doughnuts, amongst other goodies. Visit their store for fresh baked goodies and cider and jams, or visit their cider cart for a cup of cider. They also have a window for freshly-made cider doughnuts!
Over the course of the year they also have other crops available: strawberries, peaches, and cherries just to name a few! In October, they, like many orchards, also have pumpkins to choose for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Of course, I have to give a special shout-out to my favorite childhood orchard in Illinois: Tanners Orchard!
3. Halloween and other holidays
As a kid, I loved Halloween. I still like it, but it’s a little different from the adult side of things. However, I’m looking forward to going back to some childhood traditions with my growing toddler! (We might wait until he’s 3 years old for trick-or-treating though).
I still like decorating for the season…pumpkins and changing out the pillow covers, etc, to reflect more warm colors for the colder seasons. And, as much as I tended to overlook Thanksgiving in the past, I’ve definitely grown to appreciate and rekindle the family gatherings much more. I will admit I’m still much more excited about Christmas and the winter holidays, so post Halloween, my radar starts to anticipate the winter holidays more (as do all the shops, it seems!)
4. Fall Flavors
Okay, yes, I was happy about someone complaining yesterday that Starbucks had pumpkin spice lattes already in August. I’m not a huge Starbucks fan (I’ll get my pumpkin spice elsewhere, thank you), but I am still thrilled that the flavors are starting to appear!
Every year, I enjoy far too many pumpkin spice pastries, lattes, and various apple spice concoctions. Apple cider is a guilty pleasure. I am slightly picky though—I love the cider from Battleview Orchards in New Jersey! It’s a perfect blend of apple and spice.
One of my favorite items to make is pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Check out the recipe here!
5. Sweater Weather
Good riddance to the sweltering humidity of summer. In the autumn, I love that I can layer with cardigans, sweaters, and light jackets—before needing the winter coat sometime in late October/November. It’s a nice transitional season…comfortable for outdoor activities!
If fall isn’t your favored season, or you really don’t like pumpkin flavors, I hear you. But I bet you like one of the items on the above list. At the very least, I hope you bundle up in your favorite sweater and take a nice stroll among the changing leaves.
