Adoring Autumn

“Delicious  autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”
–George Eliot

That quote about sums it up for me- there is no season that I love better than fall.  Just doesn’t get much better than pumpkins, pansies, hayrides, and candy corn!  The color of the leaves with the crunch of them underfoot and huge, beautiful mums are some of my favorite things.

We have several fall traditions that we love to do at our house and I thought I’d share a few; apple-picking, scarecrow making, and pumpkin hunting!

As soon as the apples come in at Breeden’s in Mt. Juliet, we are there.  Now if you’ve ever been, you know that this is not a child friendly place.  Matter of fact, they will come right out and tell you that.  But we don’t care.  It’s right down the road and I’ve been taking my kiddos since they were wee tots, and I will continue to take them as long as I can.   Even if they do scowl when they see Max a’ coming! 

This year we made our usual homemade applesauce- which is super easy- and apple cobbler.  Such fun and easy things to make, and we had a great time.  Here is the recipe for spiced applesauce:

Spiced Applesauce

8 golden delicious apples, cored, peeled and cubed

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup water

1 t. pumpkin pie spice (sometimes I just use cinnamon)

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; stir to mix.  Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours.  When done, stir with a wooden spoon.  Gently crush applesauce against side of slow cooker to desired consistency.  Makes 8-10 servings.

 Source:  Autumn with Family and Friends, Gooseberry Patch      

We’ve been making this for years, and always cook it on low for 10 hours.  Your house will smell heavenly!

Another one of our traditions we simply love is the scarecrow workshop at Garr’s Rental and Feed in Mt. Juliet!  And believe me they ARE kid friendly- they welcome you with open arms!  For $25, you make your own scarecrow complete with hat and decorations.  You take your own overalls and shirt, and they provide everything else.  It is so festive there and such fun!  They even have a beautiful backdrop to take your picture with your new scarecrow- great fun for all ages!  You have to make your reservation early though; they start taking them in August!  We’re already down for this year and can’t wait!  Garr’s Rental and Feed is located at 11620 Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet.

Quite possibly our favorite of all would be Pumpkin Hill.

 Again, right up the road from us, is the most fabulous pumpkin patch.  A wonderful way to spend a fall afternoon; Terri and Mack Moss don’t forget one detail when it comes to fun at their Pumpkin Hill!  You can take a hayride, pet animals in their petting zoo and even wind your way through their corn maze. Another place we’ve been taking our kiddos since they were babies, and it wouldn’t be fall without a visit to see them.  Pumpkin Hill is located at 431 Bender’s Ferry Rd in Mt. Juliet.

This picture is one of my favorites from Pumpkin Hill- look how little my baby boy was!! This was on the hayride to pick a pumpkin.   Both Garr’s and Pumpkin Hill can be found on Facebook as well, so be sure and friend them to keep up with their specials!

And last but not least, one of our favorite fall treats is what we call “chicken corn.”  Candy Corn and peanuts mixed in a large bowl that we enjoy as soon as the candy corn comes out in stores.  My silly husband said it looked like chicken corn they used to feed the chickens with when he was growing up, so that’s what our babies started calling it.  You know fall is here when the chicken corn appears at our house! 

We have so many neat things to do here in Wilson County so get out there and enjoy some fall fun!!

What are some of your favorite things to do this season?  We are always looking for new things….so leave a comment and share the neat things you do with your family!

Also, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/superiorconstructionanddesign and on Pinterest at Elizabeth Scruggs.   Send your questions about construction or design and I will answer them in a future blog- and thanks for reading!