10 Things for Your Fall Bucket List
Borrowed from The Big Basket Blog
Fall is my most favorite time of year. The leaves are changing, the air becomes crisp, and there are tons of amazing things to do with your friends, family and even perfect strangers. Don’t let the beginning of the cold air start to bring you down – have fun and do some things that you may have never done before! Here are ten things you don’t want to miss doing this fall!
#1 Go Camping in the Backyard
This may seem crazy – but I promise you will have so much fun. I looked forward to this when I was a kid! You only need a few things: a tent, pillows and blankets, flashlights, and good storytelling. Get away from your TV and cell phone and enjoy the good old outdoors. Also, if you forget anything or become uncomfortable, the comforts of home are only a few steps away!
*Tip: Make sure your sprinkler system is off and the weather isn’t calling for rain—this really puts a damper on camping if you forget
#2 Go Apple Picking
I loved going apple picking with my mom when I was a little girl – and still look forward to going to the fruit farm every year with her. We always take our Market basket and enjoy an hour or two together picking apples at the orchard. You can follow up this activity with apple pie baking, or use them in bobbing for apples at a party.
#3 Make S’mores by the Bonfire
It isn’t fall if you haven’t had a s’more yet. Bonfires are a must in the fall- and what is a bonfire without a s’more! You don’t need a fancy firepit or a lot of time – just some space in the backyard, firewood, and your favorite s’mores ingredients!
#4 Collect Your Favorite Colored Leaves and Create a Scrapbook
This is a fun and easy craft to do with kids (or leaf-lovers of all ages!). Make a day of it by going outside and having everyone pick their favorite leaves, and then sit around together to put your new scrapbook together. It’s a memory you can keep, or a great gift for the grandparents!
#5 Rake a Huge Pile of Leaves and Jump in Them!
Trust me, you’re never too old to enjoy this classic fall tradition. You can even make it a family competition and see who can make up the biggest pile of leaves!
#6 Go for a Fall Hike
We used to love going to Hocking Hills in Ohio to walk through the woods and trees as the leaves fell and changed color. Go to a nearby park or take a walk in your neighborhood with friends or family. Leave your cell phones in the car… unless you want to take pictures!
#7 Football Games and Tailgating
Go to your favorite team’s game! Even if you don’t have a ticket, walk around and try going to a tailgate. Have some good food and enjoy hot cider or a beverage of your choice. This is such a fun way to spend a Friday night or Saturday morning with friends!
#8 Learn How to Make Pumpkin Pie
There’s nothing like the smell of pumpkin pie filling your home with the delightful atmosphere of fall. Choose your favorite pie crust and then just whip up this delicious filling to wrap up your home with a taste of autumn:
You Will Need:
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In large bowl, beat eggs slightly with wire whisk or hand beater. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ginger, cloves, pumpkin and milk. To prevent spilling, place your pie plate with the crust on oven rack before adding filling. Carefully pour pumpkin filling into pie plate. Bake 15 minutes. Next, reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake about 45 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Place pie on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
#9 Make White Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Ghosts
These fun and scary treats are perfect for a Halloween party or as a delicious snack for around the house. Check out the recipe here.
And last but not least…
#10 Go Pick your own Pumpkin
I LOVE to carve pumpkins, but the best part is when you get to roast the seeds after you clean out the inside of the pumpkin. It seems like a hassle, but it’s really not hard at all and you will love the way they taste! This was a family favorite of my mom’s and we still love them 24 years later!
You Will Need:
The raw pumpkin seeds you scrape out
Olive oil
Sea Salt
Directions: After getting your seeds out of the pumpkin, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Then clean the seeds by separating them from the stringy pulp. Rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don’t blot with paper towels because the seeds will stick. Then spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out. Finally, toss the seeds with olive oil and the sea salt. Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.
Bonus Suggestion: Plan a fall road trip and come visit the Big Basket and Longaberger Homestead. While you’re here you can make a basket, shop, learn about American crafts and meet our basket makers and family members! Especially through October, our area has some of the most fantastic fall colors you will ever see! Plus we would love to welcome you to our East Central Ohio home.
#1 Go Camping in the Backyard
This may seem crazy – but I promise you will have so much fun. I looked forward to this when I was a kid! You only need a few things: a tent, pillows and blankets, flashlights, and good storytelling. Get away from your TV and cell phone and enjoy the good old outdoors. Also, if you forget anything or become uncomfortable, the comforts of home are only a few steps away!
*Tip: Make sure your sprinkler system is off and the weather isn’t calling for rain—this really puts a damper on camping if you forget
#2 Go Apple Picking
I loved going apple picking with my mom when I was a little girl – and still look forward to going to the fruit farm every year with her. We always take our Market basket and enjoy an hour or two together picking apples at the orchard. You can follow up this activity with apple pie baking, or use them in bobbing for apples at a party.
#3 Make S’mores by the Bonfire
It isn’t fall if you haven’t had a s’more yet. Bonfires are a must in the fall- and what is a bonfire without a s’more! You don’t need a fancy firepit or a lot of time – just some space in the backyard, firewood, and your favorite s’mores ingredients!
#4 Collect Your Favorite Colored Leaves and Create a Scrapbook
This is a fun and easy craft to do with kids (or leaf-lovers of all ages!). Make a day of it by going outside and having everyone pick their favorite leaves, and then sit around together to put your new scrapbook together. It’s a memory you can keep, or a great gift for the grandparents!
#5 Rake a Huge Pile of Leaves and Jump in Them!
Trust me, you’re never too old to enjoy this classic fall tradition. You can even make it a family competition and see who can make up the biggest pile of leaves!
#6 Go for a Fall Hike
We used to love going to Hocking Hills in Ohio to walk through the woods and trees as the leaves fell and changed color. Go to a nearby park or take a walk in your neighborhood with friends or family. Leave your cell phones in the car… unless you want to take pictures!
#7 Football Games and Tailgating
Go to your favorite team’s game! Even if you don’t have a ticket, walk around and try going to a tailgate. Have some good food and enjoy hot cider or a beverage of your choice. This is such a fun way to spend a Friday night or Saturday morning with friends!
#8 Learn How to Make Pumpkin Pie
There’s nothing like the smell of pumpkin pie filling your home with the delightful atmosphere of fall. Choose your favorite pie crust and then just whip up this delicious filling to wrap up your home with a taste of autumn:
You Will Need:
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In large bowl, beat eggs slightly with wire whisk or hand beater. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ginger, cloves, pumpkin and milk. To prevent spilling, place your pie plate with the crust on oven rack before adding filling. Carefully pour pumpkin filling into pie plate. Bake 15 minutes. Next, reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake about 45 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Place pie on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
#9 Make White Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Ghosts
These fun and scary treats are perfect for a Halloween party or as a delicious snack for around the house. Check out the recipe here.
And last but not least…
#10 Go Pick your own Pumpkin
I LOVE to carve pumpkins, but the best part is when you get to roast the seeds after you clean out the inside of the pumpkin. It seems like a hassle, but it’s really not hard at all and you will love the way they taste! This was a family favorite of my mom’s and we still love them 24 years later!
You Will Need:
The raw pumpkin seeds you scrape out
Olive oil
Sea Salt
Directions: After getting your seeds out of the pumpkin, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Then clean the seeds by separating them from the stringy pulp. Rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don’t blot with paper towels because the seeds will stick. Then spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out. Finally, toss the seeds with olive oil and the sea salt. Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.
Bonus Suggestion: Plan a fall road trip and come visit the Big Basket and Longaberger Homestead. While you’re here you can make a basket, shop, learn about American crafts and meet our basket makers and family members! Especially through October, our area has some of the most fantastic fall colors you will ever see! Plus we would love to welcome you to our East Central Ohio home.
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