After a pregnancy-and-injury-and-newborn phase where we didn’t get out and about as much as we would have liked, our whole family is excited for fall! In a twist on our usual fun list, I asked June and Shep what they’d like to make time for this season yesterday after school. They are now actually old enough to remember things from last fall, and it was fun to hear their priorities. I combined their answers with John’s and mine, and printed out this list for our fridge. Here’s to a beautiful season ahead, and happy first day of fall, friends! — Enjoy our annual mountain trip (Black Mountain this year!)— Make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins— Biscuits, hot dogs, and the ferris wheel at the State Fair— Play at the Museum of Life & Science— Walk to our neighborhood food truck festival— Go on a Halloween neighborhood scavenger hunt using this sweet printable— Celebrate Thanksgiving— Make pumpkin pie with June (it’s in her baking book and she’s been asking for MONTHS)— Pick pumpkins at the patch and go on the tractor— Decorate our front porch and house— Hike somewhere with beautiful leaves— Add candy googly eyes to things during the month— Make a chocolate chip Dutch baby (I’ve never made one before, but they look fun!)— Pack a picnic and eat lunch outside— Camp with friends— Make apple cider scones for our teachers— Host the pumpkins and soup party (maybe modified? we shall see!)— Pick apples— Have a sidewalk bakery— Dress our mantel for fall (I bought these vase fillers to make a garland!)— Roast s’mores in our fire pit— Dress up and trick-or-treat as a family I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to this fall! I didn’t even add any savory foods I’m looking forward to making/eating to this

I apologize for those longtime readers who have now read 4 or 5 of my fall to do lists over the years… but they’re my favorite! Even though the items don’t change that much year to year, I love being reminded of my favorite things to do when the temperatures get cooler and the leaves get crunchy. And since I’m starting early (fall doesn’t officially begin until September 23), I have my fingers crossed I’ll check all of these off! — Go to the driving range — Listen to my Cozy Fall playlist on repeat — Drink hot apple cider — Introduce John’s parents and aunts to Asheville on our annual trip — Make my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins — Venture out into another pumpkin recipe – I’m eyeing this one — Buy a fall scarf – eyeing this one — Host the third annual pumpkin carving and soup night — Catch the goat showmanship competition at the NC State Fair (Fun story: last year an EFM reader came up and introduced herself to me while I was watching! The best!! If you go and see me, say hi!) — Make biscuits at our church’s Fair booth — Listen to lots of great music at the Wide Open Bluegrass festival with my parents — Cheer at a high school football game under the Friday night lights — Make a trip to Monuts (they are open year round but for some reason I love to do this in the cooler months!) — Hike somewhere with beautiful leaves What are you hoping to enjoy before December 1st? To me, that’s when winter begins :) P.S. Linking up with Day 8 of Bailey’s Blog-tember Challenge! :)

Hooray for crisp air, babbling brooks, pink sneakers, everyday adventures, and the month of October! September goal recap: Sort pile in small bedroom Weekly tennis dates with John in addition to our monthly couples tennis dates Edit and sort photos from Natalie + Joe’s wedding weekend, Maine, and family Christmas card shoot Open an account at my local consignment shop and bring in items to sell Write at least 8 blog posts this month Yeah!! Feeling pretty good about my progress last month! The only thing I did not check off was selling my clothes at a consignment shop. I actually tried – I rounded them up and took them in – but they said they weren’t currently accepting items and to call back in three weeks. Harrumph. I only have about five items to sell, and I’m wondering if I should continue to pursue the consignment route… or perhaps I should try to sell them on instagram? Or post them on the lightly-used EFM Facebook page? Happy to hear any thoughts or advice from friends who have successfully sold clothes recently. On to October goals! — Finally paint our front door now that the weather is cooler! — Make sure my voter registration is correct after our move last year — Dust/spot clean the inside of my car Aaaand… that’s it! Well, not exactly – I’m also planning to check off many of my fall to dos this month, including but not limited to picking apples, hosting a pumpkin carving night, handing out candy to trick or treaters, cheering under the Friday night lights, making pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and frequenting the NC State Fair. On top of that, I’m traveling to New York/New England twice, and welcoming house guests one of the other remaining weekends. It’s going to

After a gloomy, rainy week in North Carolina, the glorious weekend we just had reminded me of everything I love about fall. These seasonal lists serve the same purpose – they get me excited for the months to come, and remind me of all the things I really want to do but might not remember to do! What’s on your fall to do list? Pick apples at an orchard Make apple pie biscuits Host the second annual soup and pumpkin carving night Make Thomas Keller’s chicken pot pie from scratch (filling, bechamel, pie crust, and all) Hand out candy from our front steps (we’ll see if we can top our total from last year!) Cheer at a Friday night football game under the lights Make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins Order Christmas cards Watch the goat showmanship class at the State Fair (yes, it is as awesome as it sounds) Make biscuits at our church’s Fair booth Hike somewhere new with beautiful leaves P.S. The Caitlin Wilson Designs giveaway is open until Friday!