Fall is Here!
Fall is here! While I can’t say that I look forward to the gray skies that seem to come with it too often in the PNW, there are lots of things that I absolutely LOVE about fall.
The snap in the air makes me crave foods that I haven’t cooked in months. Foods like chicken and noodles, and beef stew. The scented candles and sweaters aren’t far behind. My tomatoes are finally ripe in the garden, and I get to make salsa and watch football. Usually at the same time (go Hawks!).
There are many things I like about fall, but there are five things I make it a point to enjoy in my neighborhood every year.
#1 Taking a Leaf Walk
My neighborhood has great fall color. The city did a tree planting project several years ago and I especially appreciate it in the fall. Every time the sun comes out this time of year, I go outside and take a walk. Some years we have many glorious fall days. Some years we only get a few peeks of sunshine between the rainclouds. So, I drink up the sunshine and the fall color whenever I see it.
#2 Hunting Mushrooms
I don’t hunt them to eat them. I have no idea which varieties are safe to eat. I love to see how many varieties I can photograph. There is a surprising variety just in my neighborhood. I can find even more in our local parks.
#3 Japanese Maples
Japanese Maples are spectacular in the fall. Not only do they have showstopping color, they also have these wonderful twisty knarly trunks and branches. Add the right lighting and they are just stunning! There are 3 or 4 in my town that I keep my eye on every fall.
#4 Go to the Park
The local parks where I live have great fall color. They are filled with wonderful established deciduous trees that really show off in the fall. The variety of trees also means I get to enjoy the fall color for the whole season. So, every fall includes several visits to my local park.
#5 Pick a Pumpkin
Whether you pick it from your garden or a nearby pumpkin patch, nothing says fall like a pumpkin. I like to grow them in my garden, so I have an abundance every year. They start as porch decorations and when I’m done with them, they end up as pumpkin bread. I also have fun tagging along with my granddaughters – and their parents – to the pumpkin patch. It’s an event we look forward to every year.
So that’s my list. What Fall activities do you look forward to?