I used to be ambitious with my fall bucket lists, and my summer bucket lists for that matter. The last fall bucket list I could find had ten items on it, with little doodles illustrating the items. This year I focused on our top priorities: food, travel, and, you know … overpriced pumpkins.
The memories are priceless, right?
1. Eat all the Pumpkin Things
Hooray for Trader Joe’s! But I hear Aldi’s has a great selection also.
2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
The most popular pumpkin patch in our area costs $18 a person. So… we found a cheaper option that ended up being just as much fun for Edison, I’m sure, considering that his favorite things were the corn maze, seeing a tractor, and looking at all the pumpkins.
3. Take a Day Trip to See Fall Foliage
Our #3 item started as a day trip to Sedona, but we ended up going past Sedona to Flagstaff, because more than anything, we wanted to feel cold. When the sun was setting, we rolled the windows down as we drove through the mountains, and shivered happily for as long as we could, before putting on sweaters.
We went for a “hike,” more of a walk, in Munds’ Park to enjoy the orange and yellow oak and aspens.
4. Explore a New Place
Google “best small towns,” “scenic drives,” “best diners,” “historic landmarks,” in your state and see where it takes you!
We’d been to Flagstaff before, but we discovered new places this trip. We had turkey ruben sandwiches and deviled eggs at Aspen Deli, and spent the afternoon going to shops downtown and watching trains. And we found this incredible mural on Orpheum Theater!
5. Organize Closets
I started with Edison’s closet, and took a Saturday to sort through the pile of clothes Edison has outgrown that I’d been shoving into totes in his closet without any organization. I now have a trash bag full of stuff to donate, and one big tote full of all my favorite baby items, and one more tote full of clothes for Edison to grown into.
Making a capsule wardrobe for yourself, or your kids, is another great way to spend a Saturday and organize your closet.
6. Run a Turket Trot
The evenings are cooler, so after work I’ve been loading Edison into the stroller and taking Sirius along for a mile run. My goal is to run every night, but some nights Brian comes along and we’ll go for a longer walk. Other nights, it just doesn’t happen. Progress, not perfection. I’m just looking forward to that pumpkin pie at the end of the race!
7. Paint a Pumpkin
Easier and less messy than carving, plus, it’s great for little ones to get involved! Check out 30 painted pumpkin ideas!
8. Bake a Dessert
There’s so many fall recipes I’ve pinned, and never made. I think I should start with something simple. I’m thinking this three ingredient pumpkin bread might be a great choice, or these pumpkin oatmeal breakfast bars, or some pumpkin pie truffles.
9. Find the Best Apple Cider
Last year, we bought a jug of apple cider from a grocery store that will remain nameless, only to discover that it was indistinguishable from apple juice. This year, we tasted samples of cider at Trader Joe’s before purchasing, and then we found a new brand of apple cider at our Fry’s grocery store that’s also pretty decent. We still haven’t found any as good as the stuff made by the apple orchard in our hometown, so the search continues.
These Apple Cider Moscow Mules from Pretty Plain Jane’s look stunning!
10. Start watching the Harry Potter Movies
This is our own family tradition – usually in October, we begin the series with little Harry in the Sorcerer’s Stone, and by January, usually we’re finishing with the Battle of Hogwarts. If you’re not into Harry Potter, that’s ok (I guess), but you can start a different series you like, like Anne of Green Gables, Gilmore Girls, Star Wars, etc.
What’s on your bucket list? Share your ideas below, or on social media!
Other Fall Ideas:
