5 Favorite Fall Traditions

Saturday marked the start of the Autumnal Equinox, AKA the first day of fall. Just a few weeks ago, with summer ending, I wrote about some summer traditions that I wanted to squeeze in before the seasons changed.

However, with the temperature soaring over 90 degrees here in southern California for the past several weeks, and with little relief in sight, it seems that summer is here indefinitely.

And, while it has been unseasonably hot, the official changing of the season reminds me how much I love fall. So, I thought reminding myself of the things I love to do in the fall will help me get through the heat wave and ready for when the weather does cool off.

Here are some of my favorite and festive ways to greet fall:

First, in spite of the heat, I am going to do what I usually do: decorate the house for fall. I use natural items like leaves, pinecones, pumpkins, and gourds to get me in the spirit. Sometimes I use these items to create an autumn wreath. But most of the time, I make a simple yet colorful decoration by filling a basket or bowl with various decorative gourds, different varieties (and colors) of corn, cornhusks, mini-pumpkins, and other hard-shelled squash.

To make the decorating more enjoyable and to really get in a festive mood (and to get some help), have a fall and/or Halloween decorating party. Serve some fresh apple cider using the season’s first apples.

Next: four more wonderful autumnal activities

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Fred H.

12:58PM PST on Jan 11, 2013

Thank you Judi, for Sharing this!

January 11
send a green star

Dina B.

3:31PM PDT on Nov 3, 2012

Fall is a very fun time of year!

November 3
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Valentina R.

6:14AM PDT on Oct 20, 2012

Thanks for these wonderful Autumn ideas, inspiring - all to try.

October 20
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Joe R.

8:35AM PDT on Oct 18, 2012

Corn mazes are fun!

October 18
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Heidi H.

2:53AM PDT on Oct 18, 2012

Nice

Dave C.

5:02PM PDT on Sep 30, 2012

fall is very colorfula nd beautiful.....our big fall thing is apple-picking at a local farm (pumpkins, too, if our home garden doesn't grow them well).....

September 30
send a green star

Magdalen B.

2:25AM PDT on Sep 26, 2012

I've picked the last of the beans and marrows. For the last eleven years we've helped out at our CAMRA beer and cider festival, which is held at the local cricket club, during the last weekend in September. Otherwise, what I do is put the thicker curtains up. (Temperature today in our living room is 18.1c)

September 26
send a green star

Mara C.

6:11PM PDT on Sep 25, 2012

Going to a Cider Mill with my daughter for cider cooked hot dogs and other apple related goodies!

September 25
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g d c.

3:21PM PDT on Sep 25, 2012

Chris C.

11:37AM PDT on Sep 25, 2012

We really haven't had a "Fall" yet - I'm up for a very LONG, very wonderful sunny, blue-skied, fleecy-clouded Indian Summer - with temps in the 60's to 70's. I've always hated Fall but only because it meant a long, hard, cold, icy, dangerous-roaded winter was coming. I always had so much anxiety about having to drive on icy, snowy roads with only my cat to know I didn't make it home. Now I'm retired and I'm SO enjoying the coming of the beauty of Fall - it's exquisite in my area, with red/gold colors. Now I can really enjoy it and I will LOVE a hearty snowfall and be able to revel in the sparkly quiet after a big snow and before all the activity starts. It will be a JOY to finally enjoy the seasons of Fall and Winter. And...as soon as it gets cold, I'll do some baking and make a huge pot of vegetable beef soup AND my favorite, CHILI. YUM!