Happy Monday friends! Is anyone else out there in a total state of mind blow and believing that next week we are going to roll into NOVEMBER? NOVEMBER people! If I was standing in front of you, I’d have you by the shoulders and be shaking you back and forth yelling NOVEMBER, NOVEMBER. #youdodgedabullet
Once again I’m participating in The Blended Blogs prompt and link up for Fall Traditions. When I think FALL there are always certain things to come to mind.
1) Bonfires (not that we do that on the regular)
2) Hayrides (same⬆️)
3) S’mores
4) Caramel Apples
5) Pumpkin Patches
6) Apple Picking
7) Pumpkin Bread (recipe here)
8) Halloween Costumes
9) Ghost cookies
10) Sweaters and all things cozy
I could go on conjuring up all kinds of fun fall mental images for you, but I’m pretty sure you get the picture.
So what are the “Fall Traditions” in the Richardson house? Well that’s a great question and I only wish I had a definitive answer for you. HA! Had you asked me this 15 years ago when our kids were young I could have rattled off a list of things we liked to do once fall days set in, like going to the pumpkin patch (see pictures in this post), Halloween parades in our neighborhood and Fall Festivals at school, but being empty nesters, well that means fall is a little less exciting for us. Especially fall in California. While I love that our temperatures are moderate here and honestly, I’m spoiled, it’s also mentally hard for me to change gears without the prompt of seasonal weather changes. We really have two season, warm and cool.
There are still things that I like to do for fall starting with changing up some of the decor in the house.
DECORATING
These are some the things I’ve done in the past. This year, I’ve been a real minimalist. I need to do some replacing of a lot of my decorations. I want to get away from the typical fall hues of orange and brown and migrate over to the more neutral whites, and muted pale greens and blues. With all my travel at the onset of the season, I kind of missed the decorating boat and waited too long to purchase new things, so I’ve just got a few fall touches here and there.
⬇️FALL INSPIRATION⬇️
images via Pinterest
TREATS
One of the things my family loves at fall are treats and specifically GHOST COOKIES. No matter the age, they love them. I say this because someone I live with (ahemm…Kent) keeps saying, “You know what time of year it is? Time for ghost cookies”. Once a kid always a kid.
These are super easy to make and even more fun to eat. For the detailed instructions, just look under the recipes tab for Ghost Cookies.
I also mentioned our love for caramel apples in this post.
This is my favorite and as far as can tell the easiest way to make caramel apples. Find the mix here, but you can also check your local Dollar Tree or grocery store and maybe get lucky.
SUPER EASY dipped pretzels and then layered to mimic Candy Corn in a bag.
Just use candy melts, dip and lay on wax paper to set up. Sprinkle with “sprinkles” while the candy is still wet.
Here are the supplies you’ll need.
This candy bark is just as simple. I used chocolate graham crackers as a base on a baking sheet, covered with melted vanilla almond bark and then more melted orange candy melts. Then sprinkle on your family’s favorite candies and let harden before breaking into big pieces.
All of these, the ghost cookies, pretzels and bark make a perfect care package for your favorite college student.
Of course adding new fall items to my closet is a favorite at the change of any season. It’s always nice to freshen up our look. Here are some of the things I’m eyeing and have already added to my closet this fall.
So there’s a glimpse into fall for our family. What are your favorite fall traditions? For those of you who are bloggers I can’t wait to read, and for those of you who aren’t, feel free to throw them out in the comments.
And I would be the one screaming back, “Eek!! I know!! And I’m sooo excited that Christmas is almost here!!” Hahaha! Yes, I have to admit that it’s not nearly as much fun when your kids get older and all the fun things about the holidays just aren’t on their radar anymore. Alise won’t be dressing up for Halloween this year for the first time in 13 years and it kills this Mama’s heart. I miss her being little!
What a mental picture of you and I with our hands on each other shoulders shaking back and forth. I can totally see it and it cracks me up. Happy Monday sweetie! XO
That bark looks delicious. I love the idea of putting chocolate graham crackers as the base. No, I can’t believe that November is almost here. My “baby” will be turning 15 this month!
The kids LOVED it when I made it. 15 seems old doesn’t it. I still can’t believe mine are 23 and 21 and one is married. Good grief…hold on tight and don’t blink. XO
I am just eating up all this goodness! That bark, get in my mouth and those ghost cookies are just as precious as can be! You know how to do Fall sooooo Fabulously and you know how to make Fall so fun! Bet you were quite the room mom. Happy Monday…Love ya cutie!
All these goodies would be right up your alley. Hope your week has started of wonderful! XO
And see?! THIS is why fall is the best! Literally the BEST treats, best fashion, best decor. And you nailed it all, of course! I think my boys would die for those ghost cookies, so I guess I’ll be making them for our Halloween party!
Oh yay! I hope they become a tradition at your house too. Happy Monday! XO
I have definitely noticed our fall traditions changing as the boys get older. The one thing I have managed to do is find time to decorate and definitely cook fun fall foods and treats.
Now we wait for grandbabies so we can re-live all those fun times. But we have quite a wait and I’m okay with that. I need to make some treats just for grins. I have the stuff to make cookies for Kent. 😉
Love it all!! We are inspired to make ghost cookies this afternoon, thanks to you!!
Oh YAY! I’m so glad! Hope they are as big a hit for you as they are for me. ENJOY! Happy Monday!
Thank you Abbie! I hope y’all love them as much as we do! have a great week! XO
I’ll tell ya what if Pinterest and Blogs had been around when my boys were little they would have had such a better childhood, lol! I am dying to make all the cute treats but there’s no one here to eat them but ME! I love all the decor with the white pumpkins – I think they are so darn pretty! This time of year I really wish I lived up north where I could actually enjoy a real fall!
xo,
Kellyann
OH MY GOSH…Don’t I know it. I did some pretty elaborate parties pre-Pinterest. I can only imagine what it would have been like with it. Poor moms of today. XO
All those treats look so good.
Thanks Heather! Great news is they are all pretty easy, just a little time consuming. Happy Monday! XO
I can’t believe there will only be 2 months left in the year! Can all those fall clothing pieces be in my closet too?! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I know it, me either. The years are going by so quickly. I’ll share my closet with you 😉
I hear you on California fall not being quite like a Real fall, but you manage to find some GREAT ways to be festive regardless of the weather! LOVE those dipped pretzels!! What a cute (and tasty!) idea!
Gina || On the Daily Express
Thanks Gina! I need to get in my kitchen and make some of these fun treats. XO
All these pictures are beautiful Lisa! You need to come decorate my house for fall – seriously. it’s just a short drive.
Thanks Chrissy! I wish I could pop over and decorate with you. We’d have a ball!!! XO
I’m going to pin those Ghost cookies! They are JUST TOO CUTE! I love that you use a chocolate graham cracker base for your bark!! I love all of your Fall Pinspiration! I’ve really been wanting to get some of those Nickel & Suede earrings that kind of have texture on them! So pretty!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Your kiddos will love those cookies. I swear I think I wear a pair on N&S earrings almost everyday. I have an addiction. XO
I’m loving all this fall inspiration! The ghost cookies and the Halloween bark are adorable! I’m sure my daughter would love to make them with me!
I’m sure she would and maybe a tradition will be born. Have fun! XO
Loved this!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
Thanks Lauren! XO
Love your opening paragraph, I’m still rolling round on the floor laughing now, you crack me up!
Your treats look delicious and I like your super-cute shortcut ideas. It must be heaven popping round to your house for coffee in the autumn … But maybe not just a few days before November # justdodgedanotherbullet! Hugs, Mary x.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com
Hahaha! You get my humor, Mary! Pop on over and I’ll whip something up for you. XO
I have to say that I am jealous of the caramel apples! Traditions are a wonderful thing for a family.
They are so yummy! Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂