Autumn and All the Fun that Comes With it!

Autumn has arrived along with cooler temps and many fantastic traditions. Autumn, also called Fall after all the colorful falling leaves, brings out my craving for hot cider and caramel apples. What are your favorite traditions?

There are countless crafts, recipes and events to make the most of this time of year. Here are some of my favorites!

My Kids love to engage in Autumn Crafts.

Apple Prints are a great way to combine a hands-on activity with healthy food (FamilyFun.com)
Brushing paint on a cut apple gives our fruit-tastic stationery its crisp lines. Cut a round apple in half, then poke out its seeds with a toothpick and set them aside. Blot the cut surface with a paper towel until it's dry. Brush white acrylic paint all over the cut surface, then add a line of red or green paint around the edge. If the stem is attached, brush brown paint on it. Stamp the apple on a folded piece of card stock. To print the seeds, spear one with a pin, then dip it in brown paint and stamp it where desired.

The Thankful Tree has such wonderful meaning and is great for starting a dialog with the kids. (FamilyFun.com)
This project makes a wonderful annual tradition that your family can really grow into.

Materials

• Flowerpot
• Art sand (sold at craft supply stores)
• Bare tree branch
• Colored craft foam
• Scissors
• Permanent marker
• Large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip

Instructions

1. Fill a flowerpot with sand and set in a shapely bare tree branch.
2. Next, cut a pile of leaf shapes from colored craft foam.
3. As your guests arrive, have them take a leaf and, with a permanent marker, write their name and the date on one side and something they're grateful for on the other.
4. To decorate your tree, push a large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip through the stem of each leaf and hang it in place.

Another adorable favorite craft is the Coffee Can Scarecrow (http://crafts.kaboose.com).

The whole family can enjoy the seasonal flavors that Autumn brings.

Try this mouth-watering Baked Apple Recipe from FamilyFun.com!
This classic dessert is gooey and delicious, and our version can be cooked by kids with just a little help from a parent. To make it, heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, stir together 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of butter, and a pinch each of nutmeg and cinnamon. Bring this mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to make a syrup. Core and peel the top third of 4 baking apples, such as Cortlands. Place them in a baking pan, fill them with raisins and walnuts, then pour the syrup over them. Bake the apples for 40 minutes. Serve them warm -- topped with ice cream, if you like.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are the best snack. Check out this super-easy recipe on AllRecipes.com. In the past I have purchased gigantic pumpkin's at the supermarket when they are on sale just for the seeds!!

Lastly, take a break from school, homework and activities to enjoy a seasonal outing together as a family. Check out these Fall-fabulous goings-ons and set the date!

• Go on a nature hike and leaf peep. Check out the local trails at Moose Hill or Blue Hills or take a day trip to Mount Monadnock.
• Attend a college or High School game.
• Take in the  TopsField Fair from Sept 30-Oct 10 or Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo, RI. It runs from Oct 7-Oct 31.
• Learn something old and visit Plymouth Plantation, America's premier living history museum.
• Gobble up apples at the Big Apple Farm in Wrentham or pumpkin picking at Ward’s Berry Farm!

Have a great week. Enjoy!