4 ways to celebrate November

We tend to go from Halloween straight to Christmas.  Now is a great time to focus on each and every day and enjoy November!

1) Be Grateful.  Be Thankful. Everyday.  Don’t forget the small things that make you happy.  Don’t focus on the worries that follow you.  Take a deep breath and just live in the moment.

2) Start a November family tradition.  The hustle & bustle of December is right around the corner. Take this month to create memories with your family & friends!  Let November be the calm to your December crazy.

3) Get outside.  Open your front door, step outside, and enjoy the cool, crisp air.  Listening to leaves crackling as you walk down the sidewalk.  Take in all of the sounds fall has to offer!

4) Cook!  So many delicious fall recipes that seem to disappear once the first snow hits. Apple cinnamon cider. Pecan pie. Pumpkin anything. Crockpot goodness. Caramel apples. The list goes on and on!

Happy November! 

PUMPKINS!

I know everything is popping up pumpkin flavored right now.  But that is not exactly what I am talking about here!  I am talking about the actual pumpkin.  The official symbol of fall.  (OK, so I’m not sure if it is the “official” symbol of fall, but to me it is!)

Sure, you can go grab a pumpkin out of the big box in Walmart.  OR you can take a day trip to go visit a pumpkin patch, have some kettle corn, have some apple cider donuts, have a cup of hot chocolate and come home all worn out and dusty.

Even though our kids are a little older now, we still love going out the pumpkin patch!  My youngest son (age 10) has to find the biggest possible pumpkin.  His life motto (so far) is “go big, or go home”!  My oldest son (age 13) – finds the first one that isn’t rotten and decides that’s the one.  Can we go home now?  But he is a good sport, waiting for little brother to find the perfect match.  All in all, it’s a great family day that we get to sneek in to our busy fall schedule.

In case you were needing some pumpkin patch ideas, here you go …

Our go-to pumpkin patch each year is Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch.  It’s free to get in.  It’s has free hayrides.   The pumpkins are reasonably priced.  It’s just a great, local pumpkin patch.  It’s not huge, it doesn’t have giant trampoline, there are no zip lines – it’s just a pumpkin patch.  But it’s also great family fun.  Opens September 24th!

Louisburg Cider Mill & Pumpkin Patch.  Apple Cider Donuts.  That’s all I have to say!  OK, there is a lot of fun here also for kids of all ages – corn maze, slides, giant jump pillow, the list goes on!  Pumpkin Patch opens September 15th!

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch.  Old fashioned wagon rides into the pumpkin patch,  jump on Little Bud’s Railroad, watch live pig races, mine for minerals – are just a few of the activities at this pumpkin patch!  Open 7 days a week from 10am – 7pm starting September 16th through October 31st.

What is your favorite pumpkin patch or do you prefer the big box at Walmart?  I promise, I won’t judge!