Give Thanks. Eat Pie.

It's that time again. Autumn is here! There are many reasons we celebrate this time of year, and many fun celebration activities.

Autumn represents a shift in our lives. The start of a new school year, new clothes, new decor, and creating a cozy hibernation place in preparation of cooler weather.

Life starts over again when it gets crisp in the fall. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Design a warm and cozy home

Every year at this time I redecorate my home. Out come the pumpkins, leaves and delicious smelling candles. When all the kids were home, I would use the time while they were in school to change up the decor, light a candle or bake something yummy so when they came home at the end of their day it was like entering a whole new world. Every time their little faces would light up as they walked around and looked at "all the pretty things". This year I only have the 17-year-old home. I did not wait until he was at school, I just used a Saturday morning to put up decor. I had not baked anything or lit a candle yet. When he came down the hall he stopped as he entered the living room and looked around, then he looks at me and say's "I can smell these decorations!" Lol!! All those times of changing up the decor and making it magical when they came home has made a mental impact on them and I love it!

Fun Fall Family Activities

I absolutely love fall activities! I try to plan a fun fall day where everyone comes back home with their families and we can spend time together. We visit a pumpkin patch, play fun backyard games, and end with a fire in the fire pit with hot chocolate and s'mores. Here are a few more activity ideas that are easily planned that any family will love.

Visit a local orchard

Go on a hayride

Rack leaves and jump into the pile

Go on a nature hike

Drive to a place where the leaves are changing colors

Make hot chocolate

Get cozy and read

Watch a movie together

Make caramel apples

Play a game of family football

Relationships that don't Fall apart

Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Author Unknown

Fall is an excellent time to take stock of your relationships. This time of year slows down a little. The fun and constant activities of summer have stalled, and the business of the holidays have not quite kicked in yet. Take this time to hand write a letter to your family members. Tell them all the things about them that you are thankful for. Mail it to them as a fun and special surprise from you. Everyone loves getting personal mail and a handwritten note makes it that much more special. It doesn't even need to be anything fancy or on special paper. The simplest of messages can make a big impact on a relationship.

Fall is definitely a great time to renew, to settle down, and to reflect. Make the world around you a cozy place to be. Recognize and acknowledge everything and everyone that you are grateful for. Now go tell your family you love them. ♥︎♥︎♥︎