And now… moving on.
As we all know, I am obsessed with fall. Halloween is my absolute favorite day of the year, and I love horror year-round. I love fall probably due to my love of horror and the fact that it’s the spooky season. I also love it because the weather is perfect for me. I really, really don’t like heat, so summer is tough for me, as is winter because… snow. I love the fall because it’s comfortable, has a nice chill, you don’t need boots or heavy jackets, and you’re not sweaty. It’s also beautiful… no one can deny that! The leaves and colors and smells… just amazing. Because it’s my favorite, it of course never lasts long. That sweet spot of perfect temperatures in between the scorching summer and freezing winter is never quite long enough. And since we already started getting a ton of snow in the last couple of weeks, I sadly must consider fall to be long gone and bid it adieu.
Because of my love for all things fall and spooky, as soon as September hits… my family knows IT’S ON! What I mean is, I usually have lists and lists of fall activities and festivals planned out in my head. We never quite get to everything every year, but I cram in as much as possible. I also aim to read and watch as many scary and festive books, shows, and movies as possible. Here’s a list of all the festive activities we / I got through this year, followed by the festive things I read and watched!
Activities & Places
Herman’s and Bauman’s Farm Markets: we hit up these two farm markets on the same day because they’re literally on the same street. This day kicked off our fall festivities for the season on September 14th! Herman’s has our FAVORITE seasonal fry cakes (determined by the very official and scientific Donut Quest that Jerry and I undertook a few falls back). We got our fry cakes at Herman’s then scooted over to Bauman’s for apple cider because Herman’s didn’t have theirs out yet.
Power’s Farm Market / Spooky Hayrides (x 2): on a very wet and rainy September evening, Jerry and I took Caleb out to this farm market that we hadn’t been to before so that we could go on their family friendly nighttime “spooky” hayride, and have some treats. Caleb was SO obsessed with the hayride that we went again a couple of weeks later. This time, we met up with my parents, brother’s family, and cousin. It was another great night!
Hamlin Scream Fest: this is a small Halloween festival that I enjoy going to every year with the hubby and kids. We’ve gone every year since they started it 3 years ago. This year, Caleb did the Puppy Kissing Booth.
Great Pumpkin Run 5K: I participated in a virtual 5K with my aunt, mom, friends, and Caleb. We walked our 5K on a local trail on the most gorgeous fall day. It was physically tough but rewarding and fun.
Kelly’s Apple Farm: this is another farm market who makes incredible fry cakes. After the 5K, my aunt, friends, and I headed here for fry cakes and cider on our way to the next event that night….
Spooky Lighthouse Tour: I went to a local lighthouse / B&B with my aunt and friends that night for a “spooky” tour. It was SO MUCH FUN! It was dark and we got to carry around lanterns while listening to the host tell stories. This was probably my favorite event of the season.
Cobble Creek Farm (x 2): Jerry and I take the kids here every year for a fun, family fall day. We ride a tractor out to the pumpkin patch, eat donuts, let the kids ride in a barrel train ride, look at the pumpkin people, and more. Caleb’s preschool also goes on a field trip here (this year AND last), so I got to go with Caleb, my nephew, SIL, and the rest of the class. We rode the tractor and each picked a small pumpkin!
An Evening with Kathy Nimjay and Hocus Pocus Screening: my two besties and I watch this movie every year, but this year, we went to a special event. Kathy Nimjay visited and did a Q&A discussion session, which was followed by A screening of the film. Very cool!
Verhulst Haunted Hayride: we went on a haunted hayride with our friends Angela and Evin, who we’ve gone with in the past. It was a really fun night! We waited about an hour or so, but had fun chatting.
Spirits of the Past Tour: Jerry and I go to this tour every year at the local living history museum. You walk around the village visiting the different houses where actors perform scenes. It’s a lot of fun!
Preschool Halloween Party: Caleb’s school hosts an evening Halloween party every year! The kids perform Halloween songs, enjoy treats, play, and they even have a balloon guy and makeup artist.
Mother Daughter Halloween Dinner: my besties and our moms try to get together for dinner several times a year. This year, we had a special dinner at Mama G’s house. We all brought Halloween goodies, ate brains and eyes (spaghetti and meatballs), and dressed the kiddos in their costumes. A night with my besties is always good for my soul.
Green Acre Farm: the day before Halloween, I stopped here to pick up cider and fry cakes. I wanted to squeeze one more farm market / fry cake stop in for the year, plus I needed cider for Halloween! I just stopped in with my mom and Holden while Caleb was at school.
Halloween Night: of course, the finale of the season. It was POURING this year, but Caleb and cousin Lucas (and me and my SIL) braved the rain for over an hour. The babies, dads, and cousin Nico didn’t last long, but we did! I love hosting Halloween at my house every year with my parents and brother’s family. This year, we had pizza before trick or treating. Yum! We also had some other guests who stopped in to see the kids: aunts Karin and Nikki, cousin Toni, and our friend Ania. My aunt even set up trick or treating in the house for the kids! My boys were both pumpkins this year.
Books I Read
- Kill Creek by Scott Thomas (horror)
- Those Who Came Before by J.H. Moncrieff (horror)
- The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice by Donna Kauffman & others (festive romance)
Shows I Watched
- Halloween Wars
- Haunted Gingerbread Showdown
- Halloween Baking Championship
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Movies I Watched
- Hell House LLC: my new favorite horror movie.
- Hell House LLC II
- Hell House LLC III
- The Shining: my very first viewing of this classic!
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space: a cult classic that is sinfully bad and corny.
- Doctor Sleep: saw this one in theaters with Margaret and loved it!
And that about it does it for the fall and Halloween season of 2019! I was sad to see it go because I’m honestly in my element in the fall. I took SO many outdoor walks around my neighborhood and just enjoyed it as much as I could because it is always so fleeting. For now, I say bring on Christmas! I don’t love it nearly as much, but there is something special about the magic it brings for the kids.
See you soon, fall 2020! I already can’t wait!
No comments