The calendar has turned and there’s no use in denying it: fall is here.

Time to embrace some classic fall activities and enjoy it while we can!

Time to pull out those sweaters, scarves, and boots, or if you are one of those people who likes colder weather, then maybe it just means you finally have to wear pants. We like to think of September as the month where we pretend it’s still summer. But with October arriving, it’s truly fall – we can’t deny it anymore.

Just like everything else in our language, the word “fall” did not originate in North America. The word is actually a shortened version of the English phrase “fall of the leaf” which was common in England in the 17^th century.[1]

Even “autumn” is both foreign and old – an English version of the Latin “autumnus” which can be traced back as far is the 1300s.[2] So, we can thank our foreign roots for the name of this season that most people love so much.

The calendar year wasn’t always split up into the four seasons that we have today. For instance, in some American Indian cultures, time was measured solely by Winter.[3] For instance, four winters would actually mean four full years. Game of Thrones, anyone?

Fall becomes the official season for the Northern Hemisphere once we reach the autumnal equinox. The term equinox is Latin and literally means equal (equi) night (nox) to mark when the sun passes over the equator and day and night are almost the same length.[4] For the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of fall, as we are starting to tilt away from the sun. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the time when their hotter seasons starts.

Since our equinox has come and gone, bring out all things pumpkin! It may be cliché, but it’s only because it just feels so right as the temperatures start to drop.

Whether its pumpkin flavor, pumpkin scented things, or pumpkin decorations, now is the time to embrace it all.

Looking for a few ways to enjoy fall?

For the kids:

Pumpkins are everywhere! At the farmers market, the grocery store, the local pumpkin patch, or even in a cart on the side of a country road. The ideas for what to do with them are almost as vast as the number of pumpkins out there to pick from. While we won’t explain every single one, here are a few unique ones we found[5]:

Paint or glue decorations on them rather than the traditional carving. This may be a safer option for younger kids, and everyone’s pumpkins can look different with colors, beads, leaves, or whatever you have around the house that can stick with glue!

Use it as a planter. Hollow out the pumpkin and place fresh flowers inside for truly fall themed décor.

Pumpkin bowling. Set up whatever you’d like as pins in the yard – bottles, cans, tubes, etc. and pick a pumpkin you have that looks round and get your lane up and running. We can only guess how many weird bounces it will take!

Already at a farm to look for pumpkins? Take a hayride through the property for the kids to see the farmland, look around at the fall colors and trees, and enjoy the novelty of bouncing around being pulled by a tractor. Or, if you’re feeling extra ambitious, take a trek through a corn maze – just make sure you have a map! Give it a try, this opportunity only comes around once a year!

Maybe pumpkins aren’t your thing. Another crop ready for picking in the fall is apples, or Asian Pears if you live in Florida![6] This has become a popular picture-worthy fall activity. If you can dodge the selfie takers, kids and adults alike can enjoy the rows and rows of different varieties and enjoy the hunt of finding one that’s perfectly ripe!

For the adults:

With all the fresh produce you’ve picked, there are many ways to use it and you’re sure to find something you’ll love. Pumpkin french toast, baked pumpkin seeds, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin flavoring in soup, or pumpkin bread – the options are almost endless! And apples…need I say more? Applesauce, apple pie, apple strudel, oh my!

Pro tip: pumpkin puree can replace oil and butter in many baking recipes and adds extra flavor and creaminess while also being low in calories and fat, and high in vitamins and minerals. If you’re feeling ambitious, try this recipe for Pumpkin Alfredo sauce – yes, you read that right!

Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 large clove garlic chopped
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg or allspice (more pumpkin pie flavor)
• 2 cups light cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (optional)

Heat butter and sweat the garlic. Add cream and heat but do not boil. Whisk in cheese and spices and simmer for 5 minutes until cheese is fully incorporated. Whisk in pumpkin. Toss in your favorite prepared pasta.[7]

Throwing a fall harvest or Halloween costume party? Fall flavored cocktails can take your party up a notch for the adults! Try things like a Pumpkin Spice White Russian or an Apple Cider Hot Toddy. We did some research for you; find an extensive list of recipes here.

Also, all of the kids things above, because you never are too old to enjoy some simple fun!

We can’t deny fall is here. The air is cooler and more crisp (which is a funny way to describe air, and yet we all know what that means) and it’s finally time to accept it and enjoy it! Take your kids and grandkids out to enjoy some of these great activities, or you can enjoy them yourselves!

As the kids say these days, Happy Fall, Y’all!

[1] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/autumn/autumn-facts

[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/autumn-vs-fall

[3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/15981

[4] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/equinox-and-solstice

[5] https://christianwayfarm.com/2019/10/10/top-14-things-to-do-with-pumpkins/

[6] https://www.visitkeystoneheights.com/fruits-vegetables-picked-during-fall/

[7] https://www.heraldstandard.com/food/locally_carei/locally-carei-use-pumpkin-puree-as-a-substitute-in-cooking/article_eafa014f-c4ae-54e5-ba6f-cd21a27f2e45.html