Festivities

I was committed to enjoying the Fall season this year. In the past, I've been guilty of by-passing Autumn in a hasty rush to celebrate the Christmas season (which I love... even now, I get this really exciting, happy feeling!). My family never ceases to amaze me in the fun we have on and all around Christmas. It's really a two month long holiday, and thus, hard to focus on the Fall in anticipation!  November 1st marks the date of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer watching, Mariah Carey Christmas music listening, Christmas decoration shopping, hallway decking, and Christmas list making....Before I get carried away.....


 A few more of our MUST'S from our Fall list were met this week!


On Saturday, I helped mom work the Elberta German Sausage Festival. We woke up at 3 am and I had a great burst of energy that lasted until about 8 am, and the rest of the day was a fight! My mother and father make beautiful crafts, so I help mom sell at crafts shows and festivals when able. We enjoyed apple fritters and German Sausage dogs in between customers. Check No.3.
 

Sunday morning Trent and I did "Trunk or Treat." Last year we won first place with our hunting theme! This year there was no contest and we went as Fishermen. 

                                                                                           

We went to a costume party Sunday night with a Bizarro them (which means "opposite of yourself"). My favorite was our friend Matt who felt opposite of himself was to be silent the entire night. He was successful,  but unfortunately his jokes were missed!
    
Sunday night we watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" A great wrap-up to this weekend's Fall festivities. 


Because November 1st holds a list of traditions, and leaks into the traditionally Cornelson/Catchpole Christmas season, a recap of Fall festivities seems fitting on Halloween night....


1. Go to a football game, preferably Alabama. We went to the Alabama vs. Vanderbilt game...Roll Tide! (pre-blogging adventure!)
2. Visit a pumpkin patch. Remember the homemade patch?!
3. Carve/Paint/Decorate pumpkins. Did you pick your favorite?
3. Attend a festival celebrating some food of some sort. Sausage Festival won :)
4. Go to a concert. The incredible Downtown date.
5. Make Fall Dinners. I made a basic pizza, but used sausage and red, yellow, and orange bell peppers (fall colors). Apple spiced pork chops (I followed the recipe on the McCormick premixed packs), and Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Chicken (This was a HUGE hit...loved it!) with homemade yams...yum!
6. Throw or attend a costume party. Bizarro was the theme I wanted!
7. Get lost in a corn maze. We got lost. Several times...
8. Roast a marshmellow or two at a bonfire. I got to do this twice!
9. Create a Fall playlist (there are actually songs that set a Fall mood). This was a FAIL this year :(
10. Visit a small town and check out their Fall decorations. A second Fail unless you count Elberta...then it was a success!
11. Fix a few Fall-ish Desserts. Monkey bread was the dessert of choice! Canned biscuits rolled in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
12. Have a cup of Fall flavored joe from a local coffee shop. The Jack-O-Latte!
13. Go to an outdoor market. I loved the market!
14. Watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! Success! 
15. Go to the Fair (Thank you billboard). We were too tired on the night we were free :(
16. Have a hot chocolate picnic at night so we can star gaze Fall constellations (little bit of a romantic). Fail, but this can always be added on another list!
17. Toast pumpkin seeds (seeing we will have ample). We made 3 different flavors!


I loved doing this list! We will probably do another one for the next season. The list was great for more than one reason -  it made me look for new things to do and motivated me to be more active and creative, instead of letting Fall pass by! Clearly, it is still Fall, and some of these things may get accomplished, but because I know how I am after November 1st, it seems appropriate to wrap this list up. My computer stopped working for me last night and I am just getting to post this...so HAPPY NOVEMBER 1st! I cannot believe it! I loved October. I loved myand TC's adventures. I love that I still have so much to look forward too.