Why am I so late posting my Fall Bucket List? For my fellow southerners out there, you know the drill – we LOVE fall. It’s my very favorite season. The crisp, cool air. The gorgeous leaves that seem to set the sky on fire as they turn shades of golden yellow, pumpkin orange, and red. Bonfires, plaid, apple cider. It’s the whole reason why I got married in the mountains in the middle of October.

There’s just one teeny, tiny problem. It never seems to come here in North Carolina. And when it does, it has a really short window (but it’s the BEST when it does!). The mornings these past few weeks have filled me with so much hope that fall had finally arrived – I could see my breath as I walked my dog in the morning…and sweat my makeup off at lunchtime. No bueno.

It seems like Fall has finally found it’s way to the Queen City this week, so I’m ready to start crossing off items from my Fall Bucket List. I hope that you join me in completing the list! Without further ado, here are the things that will make my little Southern heart soar if I can accomplish them this Fall:

Visit the Fair

Spoiler alert: I already did this. The hubs and I headed to the state fair on our anniversary earlier this month for food, fun, and rain? Yeah…it rained half the time we were there. But we made the most of a bad situation. Red velvet funnel cakes, pig races (can someone let me know if this is just a Southern thing?), and one ginormous 1,400 lb pumpkin made for an adventurous day!

Go (Hard) Cider Tasting

We are so lucky to live in a brewery obsessed city. Except for one little thing – neither of us are beer drinkers. Que the cideries. If you have one near you, it’s definitely a must-do for the Fall season. I suggest one that’s on an apple orchard because they usually have other fun fall activities to enjoy.

Our favorite is Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill. Not only do they have cider flights, but also apple cider donuts, an open-air farm stand, fire-pit with music, and chickens and pigs roaming the grounds free (what is my obsession with pigs?). We like to wait until there’s a constant chill in the air so we can sit around the fire with our cider. Ah, fall!

Sit Around a Bonfire

When I was a little girl, my great grandma’s neighbors would have a bonfire every Halloween. Roasted hot dogs, smores, candy. It’s synonymous with Fall to me. And that takes us right into the next item on my list…

Make Smores

You’re killin me smalls! First you take the graham. You stick the chocolate on the graham. Then, you roast the mallow. Then when the mallow is flaming, you stick it on the chocolate. Then, you cover it when the other end. Then, you stuff! – The Sandlot

Ah, is there anything better than smores? Toasted marshmallow, melted chocolate? If you really want to take it up a notch, make it with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and thank me later!

Jump in the Leaves

Even though I’m in my 30’s an adult, there’s just something about the fall leaves. Since we don’t get real winters, I have more memories of raking up a big pile of leaves, jumping on in, and then making “leaf angels” rather than making snow angels. If your inner child doesn’t speak to you as much as mine, then at least go for a drive or a long walk and check out the leaves as they change colors.

Bake an Apple Pie

I know this is the time that people want everything pumpkin, but that’s not really my jam. Bring on the apple pie. My mom baked one once that had cheddar cheese in the crust – you know because you eat cheese on top of apple pie? So yummy! While I’m at it, add in a sweet potato pie. My great-grandma (a different one than the above!) used to make the very best sweet potato pie. I always work to create one that’s as good as hers (I feel a recipe post coming on!).

Go to a Pumpkin Patch

So even though I don’t like eating pumpkin, doesn’t mean I don’t like looking at them. While I already have pumpkins (white please!) on my front porch, I think I’ll add a few more for my Thanksgiving decor. Nothing screams “Fall” more!

Day Trip to the Mountains

We are so fortunate to live so close to the Appalachian Mountains! They are in their absolute glory this time of year! Some of my fondest memories are from quick, day trips up to the mountains. Freshly picked apples, cheese curds (thanks to Ashe County Cheese), beautiful sites and fresh mountain air. There’s nothing better.

Go to a Football Game

I hate watching sports on TV. But, I grew up in a “football town” where Friday night games were a way of life. Nothing beats the thrill of watching a game in the flesh. Now that we’re adults, we cheer for our college alma mater now (Go Wolfpack!), and our hometown Panthers.

Hand Out Candy to Trick-or-Treaters

My mom used to create epic Halloween costumes and make-up for my brother and me. We’d head out for a night of trick or treating, hitting all the best neighborhoods. We would then induce a sugar coma before we headed off to our treat induced dreams. The first thing I was super excited about doing when we moved into a house of our own was handing out candy to trick-or-treaters (yes, I’m a nerd).

I always look forward to what the hot costume will be (I fully expect it to be clowns this year, eek!), and connecting with my neighbors. While waiting for the doorbell to ring, we watch scary movies and eat Halloween snacks (Monster Mash Mix anyone?). Since I’m a kid of the 90’s Hocus Pocus always makes an appearance!

Decorate

Not once, but twice. Obviously, I have to decorate for Halloween first (check out my Halloween Home Tour here) and then update my home decor for the fall. Metallics and textured fabrics are my go tos.

Bake Snickerdoodles

I gotta be honest, I never quite understood the appeal behind a Snickerdoodle. Not quite a sugar cookie, not really a cinnamon cookie, what’s the point? I think because I love cinnamon, I need more of the good stuff. I was converted to a Snickerdoodle lover once I had one from a local bakery. So, I’m on a mission to replicate it this year!

Scary Movie Marathon

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know that I don’t really like being scared. When my husband and I first started dating, he got me to watch Saw with him. I really actually liked it, so a tradition began. We went to see the newest installment on Halloween weekend every year (no matter how crappy the films became). Now we love finding the best scary movies on Netflix each year!

Make a Tree of Thanks

2017 has taken us on a wild ride. But it hasn’t been without blessings. I want to remember all of the amazing things I have to be thankful for this year. I can’t wait to share a tutorial post on this with more info!

Sip Warm Apple Cider

I mean, really? Is there anything more Fall-like?

 

Did you make it through? It’s ok if you just skipped to the end! You can download the free printable of my Fall Bucket List by subscribing to my email list! Let me know in the comments below your must-do activities for the Fall!

Stay Dairing.

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