https://chitchatwithjean.com/

All Things Autumn

Yesterday, Carrie over at Northwoods Scrapbook mentioned me in  a fun Autumn tag from a blog she follows called It’s Always Something.

Though I seldom do these, I thought I’d play along and share my answers today. And I “borrowed” Carrie’s idea to use older photos for this post since fall is taking the scenic route to arrive around here.

1.  What is your favorite thing about fall? 
Full disclosure that I’m a full on summer person. That said, I do have some fall favorites: the scenery, bonfires, scented candles, a return to “normal” time (I know…I’m odd because most people hate the early dark but I want light in my early morning hours), the comfort foods and warm drinks. However, my very favorite thing would probably be when the different birds start migrating through in the fall.
2.  Do you get fall colors where you live?
Yes though sometimes it takes until late October or early November. And sometimes the wind, takes it all away within a day.
3.  Favorite fall scent?  (wax melts, candles, anything)
I’m oddly seasonal about my candles: September needs to be apples or cinnamon apples. After fall is “officially” on the calendar, I like some Bath and Body Works candles in a scent called the perfect autumn and then as October rolls in…I like to switch to one called pumpkin apple. So I guess anything cinnamon, apple, or pumpkin is my preference for fall. I also love coffee scents. Just nothing too sweet.
4.  Favorite fall food or drink? 
That’s a tough question because I do enjoy so many of the fall foods and drinks. One food I love to get at least once in the fall is a caramel apple (I just buy one from the grocery store usually). “Real” food would be a tie between veggie chili or taco soup. And I always have at least one pumpkin spice latte for the season but mostly I drink hot chai tea once it gets cool enough for it.
5.  Football . . . yay or nay?
Um, How ’bout them….CHIEFS. Yay, of course, Yay. Ironically, both our boys are not sports fans at all. Not sure where went wrong there.
6.  Do you rake, jump in, or burn piles of leaves? 
Sometimes we rake them, sometimes my husband just mulches them with the riding lawn mower. Always jump in them! Or at least crunch through them as you walk.  Our neighbors sometimes burn leaves (though I hope not this year, way too dry out there!) and I do love the smell.
7.  Haunted house or corn maze?
Haunted houses SCARE me so corn maze. I’ve never been to a corn maze though there are quite a few not too far from us. Might have to add it to the fall bucket list.
8.  Have you ever gone on a hayride?
Back when the kids went to pumpkin patches for fieldtrips.
9.  Cider or hot chocolate?  
Depends on the weather. Warm fall days= apple cider. I’ve tried but I’m not a huge fan of hot cider, maybe I just haven’t found the right recipe yet. Cold fall days = hot chocolate. Or really, hot tea.
10. Carve a pumpkin or eat pumpkin pie?
We used to carve pumpkins when the boys were younger. However, I prefer to eat pumpkin pie. Carving is too messy.
11. Do you dress up for Halloween?
I wear pajamas for the Halloween parties if I happen to be working on party day since party days tend to be pajama days (I work at a preschool). Once in my early 20’s I did dress up as a scarecrow for a Halloween party at a different job.
12. Candy corn . . . yay or nay?
Yay, however, too much yay turns into a very quick nay. Just bought some though 🙂
13. Favorite Halloween season movie?
The Nightmare Before Christmas, Gremlins, Hocus Pocus (though I’m not a “super fan” of it), Harry Potter. Those are the ones I tend to watch this time of year…
14. Scariest movie?
I don’t do well with scary AT ALL. Anything with the supernatural and evil ghost type element freaks me out. Poltergeist scares me.
15. Halloween or Thanksgiving?
I like both but probably Halloween because (here, now with older teen/young adult kids) it’s more of a low-key holiday. Thanksgiving is a lot of work so can be a bit stressful and harder to enjoy.
16. Do you watch the Macy’s parade?
Sometimes. Usually not the whole thing. The only parade I really enjoy watching is The Rose Bowl Parade (and that one is in winter, not autumn).
17. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?
Um, both. I love apple pie in season but it’s not the Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie on the table. And let’s not leave out apple cake!
18. White or dark meat?
White and covered in (real, see below) cranberry sauce!
19. Jellied or real cranberry sauce?
When it comes to cranberry sauce, like that old song says “ain’t nothing like the real thing”
20. Will you host or travel for Thanksgiving?
Not sure. The pandemic threw our routines off but really before that we lost the family we used travel to see in 2019. I doubt I’ll host this year but we might travel “across town” (ha, 10 minute drive maybe?) to my brother’s house.

***************

I enjoyed answering these questions. Reminds me of when I did a whole fall series I did over at So Not Organized back in 2017 on Embracing the Fall Season. And of course, also makes me think of my dear friend Rebecca over at Rebecca’s Hearth and Home as I know she’s an all things fall lover. Maybe she’ll find time to join in? Anyone else that would like to join in, please do so!

10 Replies to “All Things Autumn”

  1. Hello! And thanks for playing along and for linking my blog (It’s Always Something). I love your answers and love even more that you used pics. *makes a mental note for next year* And the Chiefs, yay! While we are firmly Vikings fans in this house, I do like Patrick Mahomes. I’m following your blog now and looking forward to reading here. =)

    1. Aw, thank you & thanks for following my blog! Hope your Thursday is off to a wonderful start!

  2. Knowing what a summer girl you are, Jean, I truly enjoyed reading your answers in this post, and seeing how many things about fall you enjoy! Thanks for tagging me! I will respond with a post of my own as soon as I can. Happy Autumn!

    1. Thank you, this year I’m actually ready for some cooler weather and the fall days. Of course, I might change my mind here in a few weeks, ha. Looking forward to seeing your post. Happy Autumn to you as well!

  3. Great answers. I absolutely forgot the time change, but I’m with you. I prefer “normal”time. I sleep better for one thing. I wish I’d thought to use old pictures – next year 😀 Oh our kindred souls on cranberries – MUST BE REAL!!!!! Bath & Body Works has a Honey Champagne Apple fragrance this year that I’m in love with. I can’t even imagine how your kids aren’t sports fans?? You’d think it was in their blood as avid a Chiefs fan as you are! 2 of ours are NFL fans, but the middle one only likes college ball which is weird because NEITHER of us like college ball at all. Have a great rest of the week.

    1. Yes, I need that morning light to help me wake up in the mornings as well. I’d never had real cranberries until I had my first Thanksgiving meal with my husband’s family. And that was it for me. My late mother-in-law’s cranberry relish is actually my favorite component of the Thanksgiving meal (with pie being a close 2nd, LOL). Well, my sister isn’t a sports fan so maybe they inherited it from her? Or it’s a band thing. Who knows. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  4. Thank you SO much for doing this dear Friend! I loved reading all of your answers. 😊
    I forgot all about chai tea – that’s one that I drink up a ton during this season too. And you reminded me how freaked I was over poltergeist too. All those scary supposed to be kinda based on true events stuff. Gives me the shivers!
    I love how homemade cranberry sauce looks like they’re frosted in snow at the start. And I think I need to steal that apple cake recipe. It sounds delish!! 😋
    Happy Fall dear Jean!! 🎃 🍂 🧡

    1. PS: One way you might enjoy apple cider better is if you have it as a “hot toddy”. Simply add a little butterscotch schnapps and top with whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Voila – hot caramel apple cider! It’s so yummy!! 😉

    2. Thank you for tagging me. I enjoyed answering these. The apple cake recipe is J’s favorite, reminds me I need to make it. I tried a different recipe out earlier in September but it really wasn’t as good. Happy Fall to you as well!

Navigation