How to Make the Most of Fall

Fall is the favorite season of many for a reason. Cool soothing temperatures, classic local events, the beauty of changing leaves, and preparation for the upcoming holiday season are only a few of several reasons why fall is so wonderful. Fall activities are part of what makes fall such a memorable season. So how do you get into the fall mood when you're in a fall funk? Here are ten great ways to make the most of fall.

ONE: Love the leaves. Collecting the beautiful fall leaves and preserving them in silica gel is a wonderful afternoon activity. Simply select various leaves and if they have dew or rain on them, pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, take a sealable rectangular container large enough for your largest leaf to lay flat in its base. Pour a layer of silica gel in the bottom of the container, add a leaf, add more silica, and so on. The silica gel should dry out the leaf but preserve its vibrant color. Go to a park and take photographs of the foliage. Fall foliage appreciation is a favorite pastime. Most individuals enjoy a stroll where they can see the foliage first hand. Others prefer a drive through the countryside. Whatever your preference, fall foliage can be quite a breathtaking sight. When you get home, you can upload your photos and share them with loved ones.

TWO: Plan a trip to an orchard. You-pick orchards offer a great setting for spending the afternoon. Typically priced at a per-bag level, a you-pick orchard gives the hands-on experience of actually selecting the apples you take home. If no you-pick orchards are available, a standard orchard shop may be a nice trip. Try a weekday to maximize the experience, as many orchards allow patrons to test apples and cider during a slower week day.

THREE: Decorate. A fall atmosphere around the home is a great way to make the most of fall. Indian corn, gourds, and festive fall décor create a welcoming and warm atmosphere. Consider purchasing kitchen towels in autumn golds, browns, or orange or decorating a wreath with pinecones and assorted dried flowers.

FOUR: Make pumpkin soup. To make pumpkin soup, you needn't be a whiz in the kitchen. Simply cut open a small pumpkin and clean out the seeds and stringy guts. In a saucepan, prepare 1 large can of pumpkin, 1c milk, 3T butter, 1T sugar, 1t nutmeg, 1t cinnamon, and ½t ginger. Warm over medium low heat until simmering. While your soup is cooking, place your small pumpkin in the oven at 250 degrees. Bake for 35 minutes or until a fork goes in and comes out easily. Be sure to test at the top of the pumpkin, because the soup will be poured into the pumpkin shell for serving. Add soup and serve with soup crackers.

FIVE: Drink warm cider. Warm cider with a sprinkle of cinnamon is a great fall treat. Prepare it either in a saucepan or microwaved. Add cinnamon just before serving. For an ala mode flavor, add a bit of warm whipped cream to the cup with a cinnamon sprinkle on the topping. For a more festive flavor, cream with hazelnut coffee creamer.

SIX: Go to a local football game. Football games need not be kept for highschoolers only. Wear your team colors and head to a game. Be sure to bring a comfy blanket for cold nights and plenty of money to support the snack bar football boosters. Even if you've never been a fan or experienced a live game before, there is something magical about the crowd, the chill, and the cameraderie.

SEVEN: Make fall for the birds (or squirrels). In the fall, things have gone to seed and flowers are dying. Birds either fly southward or start making plans for the winter. Once the seeds have become scarce, it's a good time to start helping the wildlife along by putting up squirrel and bird feeders. By winter, your feeding site will be a happy spot for them to visit.

EIGHT: Plan a trip to a pumpkin patch. If you've not been to a pumpkin patch in a long time, make this year the one to start again. If you've never been to a pumpkin patch, it may be one of the most memorable sights of the fall. Pumpkin patches are fun because every pumpkin is as different as the people who choose them. Some prefer round, some oval, some short and some tall. Some people love big pumpkins and some prefer small ones with curvy stems. The pumpkin you choose is up to you. Just be careful, or you may end up falling for more than one!

NINE: Buy festive fall Trick-or-Treats to hand out. Part of the fun of Halloween or a fall party is the preparation. Companies like Oriental Trading Company and Kipp Brothers offer several varieties of fall novelties that help make any fall party a hit.

TEN: Send handmade fall cards. Fall cards are a great way to show people that you care. Anyone can fire off an email, but it takes a lot of heart to use the post office these days. Think of people you may have lost connection to or individuals who aren't on the internet. Consider writing a thoughtful note, or perhaps including a preserved fall leaf.

However you spend your fall, make it a memorable one. It doesn't take a lot of money to make the most of fall, but it takes heart. Have a happy fall!