There are so many things about the upcoming holiday seasons that really put us in high spirits. Seeing as the last few blog post we haven’t been able to get our minds off of the fall season, I figured i’d make a list of the activities we’re most looking forward to and why. And although the fall doesn’t officially begin until mid-late September we like to get started a bit sooner.
Home Decor
Around the beginning of September we drag out the big orange storage bin containing all of our fall decorations. The mellow shades of orange, burgundy and greens encompass our home. From the curtains on the windows, to the pillows on the couch, the flowers on the island, down to the clothes in the closets, we really embody the season. There was a time when I truly didn’t appreciate these small changes to the home and quite honestly resented them as unnecessary waste of time. I’ve really come to appreciate what they actually do for our state of mind in our home. We’ve learned to turn our home into an escape from the day to day, and the things that surround us truly have a way of affecting our well being, so we’ve learned to make them work for us.
Baking
The season just doesn’t feel complete without baking up some apple pie and apple cider donuts. I love how these little things can have such a positive effect on our mood. I guess because to me it’s a rewarding experience beginning with the trip to a local apple farm where we meticulously pick out the best apples in the bunch. At this time we also make certain to grab a couple gallons of apple cider to make our donuts. As well as grab a few donuts while we’re there because we are weak and can’t help ourselves.
Festivals
Around our way during the fall we have the luxury of having tons of great fall festivals, such as The Big E and The Topsfield Fair. Now I’ve come to develop a weak stomach for carnival rides, luckily for us activities are most definitely not in short supply. From circus acts, to petting zoos, and even hay rides there’s something for everyone. And sure, maybe you can find these things any other time of the year, but I think the luxury of not baking in the sun is a big win for these festivities that tend to be in wide open fields. Also the best blooming onions I find are always at carnivals. I’ve been craving one for almost a year now!
Halloween
So, I have a really strong argument for why Halloween is better than Christmas. Now they’re both great, but only one makes me go out shopping in crowded malls and spend too much money, I’ll let you figure that one out. While you think about it, i’ll give you some Halloween favorites of mine. Visiting a pumpkin patch to carve our jack o lantern is a big one for us. Visiting Salem, Ma is something we do throughout the year but doing so on the days leading up to Ol’ Hallows Eve is an amazing energy that just can’t be beat. We love doing some kind of costume makeup and getting into the festivities. The entire week leading up to Halloween is chock full of things to do. Haunted houses, wax museums, witch museums, guided tours, and live action role plays are only a small sample of the things you’ll find in this bustling town. As well as plenty of vendors selling their wares. The most excitement you’ll find all month guaranteed.
Foliage
I’ve grown up in New England, born and raised. There are plenty of things that are unique to our small corner of the U.S. but the change in foliage that we get to experience here is second to none. There’s a reason why photographers come from far and wide to witness the transition. Personally I think growing up movies played a huge role in what interest me now. I always loved scary movies, Stephen Kings movies always seemed to take place during the fall in towns that looked so similar to what i grew up. One of my favorites is the original It movie. Literally reminded me of a town near my home and maybe I’m a little weird but that always made me happy for some reason.
Wedding Anniversary
Of course I save the best for last, and it’s no coincidence that our wedding happened to take place in the fall. I guess we didn’t necessarily plan it that way, I mean we were engaged and married within two months! But I also don’t believe it was an accident. Our wedding anniversary is also our relationship anniversary. We really started our journey together in the fall. I don’t tend to be very superstitious or have to many beliefs but I think this one things here was simply fate. Sometimes things just happen in such a serendipitous way that you can really just smile and ride this roller coaster that is life.
