Autumn has officially set it. As in, the mornings are super chilly. We have not turned the heat on yet but that is simply because I live in denial for weeks. As the weather typically does this time of year, the days quickly warm up to a beautiful temperature and I convince myself that cold season is a loooong way off. Tis the season of dressing in layers, for sure. That said, I thought I should get my “bucket list” for the season in print before the weeks completely fly by. Not sure these are specifically fall related. Perhaps this is more of an October bucket list. Nevertheless, putting them down here will, hopefully, keep me accountable.
** try (at least) two new recipes for pumpkin bread. I recently tried making some friendship bread and I was woefully disappointed. It was not nearly as tasty as I remember and now I am a bit hesitant to try more quick bread recipes. But, I am no quitter:) If you have an amazing recipe, please let me know.
** make a drive along Skyline Drive….hopefully, once the leaves turn. It can be tricky planning a day to the mountains and having it coincide with the perfect fall color, but we have not been up to the mountains in almost a year, so any drive should be nice. Hopefully, we can get in a hike or two. That would be fun.
** make one final consignment drop-off. One last clear out will leave things neat and tidy for the months ahead. Those months when I spend extra time inside…and I don’t want to be noticing “stuff” all winter.
** attend (at least) one fall festival and one craft festival. They are everywhere. Every weekend. I think I’d like to try one that I have never attended before. Dare I say….eat the fair food??
** go apple picking. This may or may not coincide with a pumpkin patch. There are lots of those, as well, but (much like the festivals) I tend to have my favorite!
** start working on the children’s Christmas program. I have been procrastinating on this one so it has to go on this list. For accountability:)
** finish my one-month sugar free challenge. A friend and I started this challenge the beginning of the month. Old habits were slipping back in but I honestly did not think it would be difficult to “get back on track.” Jokes. I so want to throw in the towel. I want allll the pumpkin spice things! But I am determined.
** host a craft afternoon with some friends. Not exactly sure what this one looks like or what it would entail and, honestly, is probably the “iffy-est” on this list but thought I should include it.sd I’ve wanted to do something like this for awhile and now seems like a fun time to host something.
Well, I think this will be enough to keep me not only busy but focused. Do you have any fun ideas for the rest of October? Many of you probably made a wish list for the season weeks ago…..so, how is it going? Checking off all the things? Here’s to a busy, productive and fall-fun weekend ahead. I’m hoping to get this yard sale behind me. The last yard sale of my life. Just sayin. And there just might be some gospel music in my weekend as well. Better practice my vocals. You just never know when you might be invited to join the quartet on stage. HA! Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you get to take that drive to the mountains soon! Are your leaves peaking in their color yet? Ours really don’t reach that point until late October or early November. When you do get around to that, make sure and take pictures for us to see here! A craft session at your house sounds like so much fun. I haven’t ever hosted anything like that, but I love that kind of thing. When I was in Colorado last week, my sister bought paintable pumpkins for us to do with my great nieces, and that was a blast! We used the acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby, and it was fun being creative. That’s just a thought…you could also find some festive seasonal paint by number types of activities. I love to paint! Thanks for sharing today, my friend!
The idea of painting pumpkins sounds like so much fun. I hadn’t even thought of that but I think my friends would really have fun with it! Thanks:)
There is a regional restaurant chain around us called ¨Skyline¨ and that is what I thought of at first when you wrote Skyline. I thought to myself that there was NO WAY you´d like the restaurant Skyline (its known for its distinct (read, gross!) chili style)and then I realized that you were talking about beautiful scenery and I felt much better. The pumpkin bread that I made last weekend was a bust. It was fine tasting but not worth the calories, in my opinion, so I won´t pass on the recipe :). A craft afternoon sounds delightful! I hope that happens but truly just thinking about it has to raise your spirits so if it doesn´t happen, at least you´ve thought good thoughts!
I like the way you think…..even if the craft afternoon doesn’t happen, just thinking (and planning!!) it will raise my spirits!:) Love it!!
Hi Jennifer~ Your bucket list looks like a good one… all the things you should do in the fall :0) I love a good quick bread, but have a hard time making a good one. Let us know if you find a good recipe for one that’s not too crumbly… mine always are. No sugar is hard! Kudos to you for going as long as you have! It’s so hard for me to stay on task, but so worth it in the end. Enjoy your skyline ride! Hugs, Barb
I have never thought to make a list like this. It has appeal, especially right now, when I am struggling a bit. It is a dreary day, I am tired, and a bit discouraged…so need to take my mind off of things, LOL!
This sounds like a great list! My lists are normally: do laundry, go to the market…I like your list so much better! I am in denial about the heat as well. I wait till I absolutely can’t fit another sweater onto my body before I turn the heat on. My husband turns it on before I do though and then I run around behind him quietly turning it off again.
Ha – so glad I’m not the only one. Running around and turning the heat back off!!:) Love it!
A Fall bucket list sounds fun! A holiday one would be fun too 🙂 I’ll have to think about that! For a craft, you can get plain white pumpkins from the dollar store or a craft store. Then buy a few cheap packages of printed napkins that have pretty florals or whatever pattern you enjoy and use modpodge to paint the napkins onto the pumpkins. They turn out so cute!
Debbie – I am going to give it a try! Or, at least, I hope so:) Thanks for the idea!
I love your fall bucket list and hopefully you can get everything done on your list. Happy October and fall!
Yes, I’m hoping to make a dent in the list…and to have some fun doing so!:)
Hello! Your blog looks beautiful! I love the fall look. I also loved reading through your bucket list. I have a great recipe our family has loved for years and years.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
Three cups of flour
Two teaspoons of ground cinnamon
One teaspoon salt
One teaspoon of baking soda
Four eggs
2 cups of sugar
1 15 oz can Libby’s Pumpkin
1-1/4 cups vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine the flour,
cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
Beat the eggs,
sugar, pumpkin, and oil in another bowl.
Stir this into the dry ingredients
just until moistened.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into two greased loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for
60 to 70 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Enjoy!
Ha! I keep saying I’m going to cut out sugar too but it is so hard and I keep finding excuses not to just yet. But the month is more than 1/2 way over; you can do it!