2018 Fall Bucket List

1. We are fully into fall being near the end of October. I still have some things I would like to do before winter comes. Here is my fall bucket list. What are your plans for the fall?

1. Go to the Pumpkin Patch. G will have a great time and I love taking fall pictures there.
2. I am taking G Trick or Treating for the first time in years. Even though we are not together, his dad has always done Halloween. This year he has to work.
3. Karate School Trunk or Treat. Similar idea but I am not used to taking him to many outside activities but he wants to go and I think he will have fun…plus more pictures.
4. Take G to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It’s a bit of a drive but if we can get it approved as a field trip through his homeschool/charter school than the entrance is covered. He loved science and I think he would love this hands on science museum.
5. Do fall family pics of all the kids together. I rarely do this and haven’t in a long time. I want some more recent group photos of my kids.
   Apple Hill. It is a fun trip that isn’t that far away and I think the kids might get a kick out of. They have when we have gone before.
6. Make a homemade apple pie. I have never made an any kind of apple pie. I have done pumpkin pies and berry pies but never an apple. I think it’s time to change that.
7. Pumpkin bars or muffins. It’s Pumpkin season and I love everything pumpkin. So these will be happening real soon. I’ll take pictures and share.
8. Veggie crockpot stew. I am a vegetarian, my kids are not. They will most likely not touch my stew with a ten foot pole because there will be delicious mushrooms in it. I’ll have to make them a beef stew without mushrooms.
9. Butternut Squash Apple Soup. This is one of my favorite and easiest recipes to make. You basically roast Butternut squash, onion, red bell pepper, and 2-3 apples and a carrot seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon. Once roasted, you simmer them in veggie broth for a while until soft and the broth is flavored, then use a blender or hand blender and blend until smooth. It tastes so yummy and creamy. If you want, you can always throw in a dash of cream at the very end. Here is my full recipe.
10. THREE Birthdays in November. I’ll let you know in December if I survived. I have two girls, one turning 21 and the other 16, and the boy turning 10.
11. I love the changing of leaves in the fall and go out every year hunting for leaf photos.
12. I did a fall Friendsgiving with just a couple of friends last year and I hope to do it again this year. I can’t host it at my house, so I will borrow one of my friend’s houses. But I love to do it, it is so much fun. Check out the story and pictures here.
13. Create a fall tablescape for my small dining table for Thanksgiving. Most of the time it is home to children’s laptops and miscellaneous other items but I think I can get it to be object free for one day.
14. Create a fall wreath. That’s my project for this weekend. I already have the fall leaves, and I think a wreath or even a broomstick. I have all kinds of unknown craft supplies that I really need to organize.
15. Pumpkin oatmeal breakfast cookies. I just found this recipe on Pinterest and have to try it. Even if all I can eat is part of a cookie. It looks so delish!
16. Create a gratitude bucket for the month of November. My kids really need this practice. I have been hearing far too many “I wants…” and not enough “I am glad I have…”
17. Make pumpkin donuts or cinnamon rolls with the kids on the weekend. If you hadn’t noticed I love pretty much all things pumpkin flavored.
18. Try my hand at pumpkin chili. I love chili in the fall. It’s so warm and filling and comforting.
19. Collect fall leaves and make a collage of some kind after pressing them. This is an activity I used to do with my little preschoolers and toddlers using contact paper and it was so much fun. This time I think I will use glass picture frames done in the style of pressed flowers.
20. Decorate and possibly carve a pumpkin. This is usually done by the kids dad but since he isn’t here this year, I guess it’s my turn. I saw a tutorial that used cookie cutters and a hammer to pound into the sides for the designs. I may try that. If I get it done, I’ll post a pic.
21. Make a delicious crock pot apple cider. My middle one, E, has been asking for apple cider. Maybe for Halloween dinner.

What’s on your Bucket List this Fall?