Enjoy the Seasons (Fall)

When you are trying to get through life, there are projects always waiting in the wings. You have chores that must be done, crises to handle, it may seem like you never have enough time in the day. With winter coming, as a homesteader, or heck just a normal everyday person, you may begin to panic with the overwhelming amount of things that need to be done. STOP!! That’s right….. make sure you take some time to actually enjoy the seasons.

I know in the spring for us, it is all about taping our maple trees and getting it boiled, and then their is the garden to plant. Summer is taken up by tending the garden, running the oldest country kid to 4H meetings, and the county fair. Then *BAM* the leaves are turning, and it is time to harvest. The temps being to drop and it is time to winterize. Seriously, sometimes I wounder how my “to-do” list got so long because it always feels like I am plugging away! It can be draining at times….

That is why I say STOP. Trust me, all the must do items will still be there the next day, but once in a while you just need to slow down, take some time off, and enjoy the seasons. Call it a detox day. Trust me, your soul will thank you, because lets face it, all work and no play can make anyone a cranky butt head to have to be around! Not to mention, when you take a little “me time” you feel refreshed and can go back at life with a little more oomph.

There are so many wonderful things to do this time of year and frankly, they don’t even take a full day to do. I mean when was the last time you just sat and watched the fall colored leaves dance in the wind or took a deep breath and inhaled the beautiful aroma of fall leaves baking in the sun? Heck, sometimes when I am overwhelmed with homeschooling, I declare a 15 minute break and go sit in the yard and just watch the ducks rummage through leaves to relax. Can you tell I am totally a leaf girl?

A few of my favorite Fall things

So here are just a few ideas to help you slow down, relax a little, and enjoy fall. Oh don’t worry, the canning, critters and whatever else chores you have to get done, will still be there, but the small amount of time you take to do some of these can refuel your inner strength to keep going and give your a calmer balance to life.

1.) Jump in a leaf pile!! After you have looked at, watched and smell the leaves, become one with them. You are never to old to let your inner child out to play. As you get older though, how you land in a leaf pile becomes more important. Our old bodies can’t take a beating like they used to! Protect your tail bone!

2.) Spend time with pumpkins. Go to a pumpkin patch. The thrill of looking through all the pumpkins to pick “the best” and admiring the variety of shapes and sizes they come in can be very relaxing. Be a kid again, carve a pumpkin. Make sure you save the seeds and roast them. Pumpkin pie is defiantly a fall time pleasure too, so bury your face in a nice slice.

3.) Have a “camp” fire, even if it is in your own backyard. I love the smell of a campfire not to mention watching the flames flicker and the embers glow. Grab some marshmallows and make some s’mores. Grab a beverage, be it coco or adult in nature, and enjoy some good company around the fire.

4.) Bake something or everything. The cooler temps of Fall are a great time to fire up the oven and add 10 lbs to each family member, be it through, cookies, pies or breads.

5.) Curl up under a blanket with a good book or movie. It is amazing how an hour on the couch can build you back up when the chill in the air takes it out of you. Don’t just sit on the couch, curl up on it or lay down, relax and become one with it for a short time. Of course the blanket might hold you down for a nap *wink*

6.) Donuts and apple cider are a must at least once a year. There is just something about that combination that screams Fall. Throw your diet to the wind and snarf donut holes and chug cider!!

7.) Go for a hay ride. While the “hay,” which is actually straw, may not be as comfortable as you remember as a child, there is just something about being in it, the sound of the tractor or horses pulling the wagon, and the sights and sound of a hay ride that just make you smile.

By no means is this list of ideas complete. I know everyone likes different things. Some people despise pumpkin flavored foods. But the point I am trying to make is this…. No matter how busy or overwhelmed you are, take time for you. Stop and enjoy the world instead of rushing through it or being consumed by the things that need to be done. You will be amazed how much better you feel with just a few minutes of “me” time.

Sandhill cranes flying over

**Homestead Tips on Tuesday is a weekly series where we help you learn skills, tips, and trick to help you on your journey of homesteading. Many places post list of things you should/could do as far as homesteading skill, but I feel lists are at times overwhelming and can make people give up before they even start. So every Tuesday I share one thing for you to try or consider. I hope you join us every Tuesday and I would love to hear about your adventures with each weeks topic.**