Sofie (not quite 3 years old) tries to pick up a pumpkin.
- Pumpkin patches and apple orchards. What could be a more fun, nature-oriented family activity than this? We have a fall tradition of visiting our local Schartner Farms to buy mums, gourds, and pumpkins for the season. And in New England, we have our pick of happy apple orchards—although we have not yet gone this year. Both activities get us outside, tramping through fields and trees, selecting from nature’s bounty. We love the colors (yellow-gold, burnt orange, fiery red), the smells (fresh cider, fresh baked pies, fresh-cut red potato fries from Schartners) and the lessons from nature (read 9 lessons kids can learn at the pumpkin patch).
- Perfect weather. No need for air conditioners, fans or heat. It’s the most eco-friendly time of year in that respect. Although my husband tends to disagree, I relish fresh air breezing through open windows. I love snuggling into flannel sheets at night. Whereas during summer, we camp out before the TV in the cooler basement more often than I care to admit, autumn finds us cozying up to fireplace ambience. And since the fireplace is nowhere near the TV, it also means more interactive family time around games and puzzles.
- Switching from salads to soups. While my husband can eat soup all year around, I’m definitely more of an “eat with the seasons” kind of person. Once I feel a chill in the air, I whip out my recipes for soups and stews. I tend to avoid the kitchen in summer, but am drawn to hours-long cooking fests in fall. This bodes well for my family who, thankfully, enjoy eating my barley pecorino soup, meat lovers chili and tortilla soup.
It’s the Great Pumpkin,
Charlie Brown
- Charlie Brown holiday specials. It’s not Halloween without The Great Pumpkin, not Thanksgiving without Snoopy’s popcorn and toast feast. When I look at these shows with an eco mom’s eye today, I notice an overabundance of sitting in front of the TV and a lack of good nutrition. On the other hand, Charlie Brown and friends frequently spent time outdoors and they had a strong sense of community: playing team sports, putting on plays, sharing meals. That’s what brings me back year after year to enjoy these classics with my daughter. That and the catchy Vince Guaraldi soundtrack.
- Prelude to the holidays. Even as a kid, anticipation of the holidays often seemed more joyous to me than the day itself (when all I would do is worry that it would soon be over). As an adult, I used to gripe about the commercialism of the holidays — how Christmas is marketed in stores beginning mid-October. But now I just see it as a longer period of anticipation where I can (hopefully) teach Sofie the lesson of enjoying the journey more than the destination. The prelude to the holidays is a nice, long buildup of family activities, making gifts, sharing meals, planning our annual Winter Solstice gathering … and it distracts us nicely from the increasingly colder temps.
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Fall is definitely a beautiful season. Sometimes I wish it would last a little longer.
I also enjoy the preparations for the holidays just as much as the actual holidays themselves. It’s fun to make plans for family get-togethers, do some holiday baking, a little decorating, and so on. It’s a great time of year to catch up with old friends and spend a little extra time with loved ones. All the best to you and yours this fall and winter season!
Thanks, Genevieve, for your comment! The prelude to the holidays doesn’t have to be a blur of shopping and activities. It really is a wonderful time of connection.
All the best to your family as well!