Fall is here - here is our simple living challenge for Oct.

**homesteadmamma** · 09-30-2005, 10:17 AM

Don't you just love fall. The colors are spectacular with the reds, oranges, yellows and browns. The birds are getting ready to leave for their southern homes. Kids are playing in leaves raked by them, the only time they will do it.

My challenge for this month is to take 30 minutes and get OUTSIDE to enjoy the season. Play in the leaves with your kids, go for a nature walk and observe the changing of the season, watch for animals and see how they are scurrying to get ready for the winter months. Enjoy each moment of these 30 minutes. You don't have to do it all at once, however make it a point to do 30 minutes this month.

Anyone up for the challenge?

**QuilterMom** · 09-30-2005, 10:54 AM

No change of season or leaves changing colors here, BUT hopefully October will bring some cooler temps and I would love to go sit outside and drink it all in.

We have plenty of squirrels on our property that are so funny to watch and I love to hear the horses from neighboring properties.

**canadian gardener** · 09-30-2005, 12:11 PM

yes. It's gorgeous here.

Stormy grey clouds and winds tossing the leaves around, but most are still on the branches, and the colours are fantastic.

I don't know which is better, a moody looking sky with dark grey behind the colours of the leaves or a crisp bright blue sky, sunshine and that last bit of warmth.

**baxjul** · 09-30-2005, 02:43 PM

I'm really missing the changing of the leaves! I didn't really think that I would, but I was wrong! I will go outside for 30 min. and try to enjoy the challenge.

**mom2matty** · 09-30-2005, 04:19 PM

Well I have to pretend it is fall......like QM we don't get a change of season but I sure am dreaming of it right now, especially since it is still 100 plus degrees at my house!!

My goal for the month is to go to our local mountains with the kids and pick apples!!

We have done this for the last several years and we have so much fun!!! It will be as close to fall as I can get right now!

**Mom23boys** · 09-30-2005, 07:53 PM

I love watching the changing of the season.

Last night Dakota was pointing to the sky at the flock of birds migrating south for the winter.

I love the cooler temps and enjoy being outside much more in the fall.

**Mamaw** · 10-02-2005, 08:53 PM

I am in, in , in.
Today I spent 30 minutes in the yard gathering acorns for the goats. Filled up a big 28 pound cat litter bucket ( recycling those buckets is a great!) i had both goats out with me so they got to munch at the same time. It was so peaceful to just kneel on the ground, pick acorns, listen to the goats and breathe fresh air.
I will try to get out at least 30 minutes several times a week. The cooler temps are wonderful and it is such a great time of the year!

**hollyhill** · 10-03-2005, 02:11 AM

Oh, yes. I love fall.
My viburnums are the most vibrant red and the Vine Maples are orange. I love to sit outside in a sheltered spot and sip tea and soak in the last warmth of the sun.
The Juncos have returned on mass and the swallows have long gone. It is a time to contemplate and remember mmmmmm.

**slipofagirl** · 10-17-2005, 09:00 AM

You can count me in. I normally dislike the change of seasons as they make me feel dull and miserable, but there's something about *this* Autumn which is bright and wonderful. The sky is the deepest blue I have seen for a long time and the trees are turning the prettiest colours. I've been wandering around collecting conkers and making little piles of them to give the inside of my house a little feel of the outside.

**daddys3chicks** · 10-17-2005, 09:19 AM

Well, generally fall makes me sad for some reason, so I'll give this a try. Leaves haven't started changing here, but it is cooler in the mornings. I think we accomplished part of this by going to the pumpkin patch Sat.

**pkellyc** · 10-17-2005, 10:32 AM

Foliage is just starting to go here. Lots of yellows and not so pretty this year. Due to the lack of rain this summer and the warm weather we have been having. We are so far behind, this challenge is easy. The way things are looking, I could be enjoying it right up until Thanksgiving.

**Kimberlina** · 10-17-2005, 11:30 AM

We've already starrted doing this. We actually went for a drive the other day (looking for a new apple orchard) and spent a lot of time looking at the leaves. And we spent a good deal of time outside that same day enjoying the cooler weather and a good book. DD loves to pick up all the leaves and pine cones that she sees on the ground.

**mom2matty** · 10-17-2005, 01:41 PM

Just wanted to come back and share that we achieved my goal for this month!! Last weekend dh, ds and I picked apples!! We picked 18lbs. of rome apples and 8 lbs. of granny smith apples!! We had a blast and of course my digital camera didn't work so I don't have pictures

We stopped at a little road side barn and had apple cider (fresh pressed) and we looked at all the little goodies they were selling. We are hoping to go back in the next week or so and we will take a picnic this time!!