A Fall Bucket List

  Fall is time to bring our sweaters, jeans, boots and jackets out of storage. And loving the changing color of the leaves while enjoying a glass of wine in front of the fireplace on our chilly nights.... Here are a few of my favorites for Fall....did I mention apple picking at an orchard near you?🍂🍂  

                                       

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Here's a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. Celebrate with s'mores by the bonfire tonight.

🆊 Hammock

🆊 Bug Spray

🆊 Lawn Chair

🆊 Flip Flops

🆊 A Swing

🆊 Road Sign

🆊 American Flag

🆊 Bug

🆊 Sunglasses

🆊 A Bike

🆊 Sunscreen

🆊 A Blade of Grass

🆊 Flowers

🆊 A Hose

🆊 Pinecone

🆊 A Birdhouse

🆊 A Furry Creature

🆊 A Grill

Happy Weekend!

Board Game Marathon

Spend the weekend reconnecting and unplugging. Recently we had a family weekend at the lake. There were 8 of us and I looked around and realized everyone was looking at their electronic devices.  We all laughed about it and immediately turned them off and placed them in a basket for the evening.  

We brought out the board games and had a lot of laughter over our competitiveness to be the winner of "Blockhead".  Along with our ritual of "lakehouse" nachos.  I can seriously make these in a record 2 minutes,  complete with peppers, sour cream and the works.  I always keep the ingredients for nachos on hand for just this reason.  

Has anyone been to a board cafe I've been reading about?  A cafe serving pastries, coffees, teas, and shelves of board games to play with other guests for hours on end while enjoying conversation and a feeling of community.  Such a great idea!

~Happy Weekend~

Host a Scavenger Hunt this Weekend

  This post is back by popular demand for fun family Fall activities requiring everyone to be outdoors. Visiting the local pumpkin patches and corn mazes are at the top of the list.  Tree colors are changing and the leaves are falling.  Host a scavenger hunt with a Fall nature theme this weekend.  Family and friends of all ages enjoy this activity together. 

After everyone has checked off all of their findings on their list,  build a bonfire and set up a S'more bar with all of your favorites!  What's not to love with Nutella, peanut butter, and chocolate between a toasted marshmallow and graham crackers?  For a different twist, instead of graham crackers, use chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies.  Super twist is Dip your S'more in a cup of Bailey's before biting into it!  Trust me, it's a delight:)!

  Head outside and get started. So much fun for all ages!   After everyone returns with their "finds", take a picture of everybody, print and frame it as a reminder of your Fun Fall Day. 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Lake Geneva Shore Path

If you live or are visiting the Midwest the next few weeks, please take advantage of visiting the LakeGenevaWi area to explore nature at it's finest.  Not to mention great restaurants, hotels and shops.

One of the best attractions in the LakeGenevaWi area is the historic shore walk path that allows you to walk around Geneva Lake in it's entirety via lakeside.  The entire path is approximately 21 miles.  Bear in mind this is a foot path and there are some spots the path may have steep climbs or narrow crossing.  Native Americans used it as a rough trail more than a century ago. The paths face has become worn and a bit rugged, but it still shows beautifully after the years of walkers on this fine and precious gem.  If your mobility is limited, walk just a small distance and return.  You will still be able to share the true beauty the path has to offer. You have opportunity to walk in front of the oldest and most beautiful estates on Geneva Lake. Estate owners for the most part embrace walkers enjoying the trail. Some provide a comfortable bench, seat, or swing for the weary walker to seek a few moments of rest before moving on. You can actually feel their hospitality and love for the area with their act of kindness.  Such a true portrayal of the people of LakeGenevaWi.  

Our husbands enjoying sports talk along the way.  

Kaitlyn of sistersmarie loves the path. So does Lisa!

I made a friend along the way:)

We've almost made it to our destination! The view is majestic. Fitz loved the walk.  

Have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the moments! Thanks for stopping by today.

Lose the Winter Blahs with a Game Weekend

Very Fierce Competition!

Grab your snacks, drinks, and most comfortable sweats and have a fun game weekend.  Our family favorite is "Blockhead".  A box of wooden blocks different shapes, colors and sizes, and everyone takes a turn placing a wooden piece on top of the others creating some of the most outrageous looking sculptures you can imagine.  By the end, you hold your breath in anticipation of your piece knocking the entire thing down.  It's great fun for all ages.  Even our 4 & 6 year old family members got into it, and by the way, did better than the rest of us at times. 

Blockhead by Pressman can be found on Amazon.com  (for $14.00), as well as some of our other family favorites, Operation for $15.75 (yes, it is the same fun you had as a kid),  Uno card game, and Hasbro Electronic Catch Phrase. Guaranteed hours of fun! Also try Catch Phrase for a large group.  

Don't forget the chips, dips, salsas,  nachos (did I mention I am a wiz at making 5 minute nachos?),  make up a batch of Chicago style cheese popcorn/caramel corn mix (the BEST!), wine, beer, sangria and juices for your "littles".  

What's your favorite family game?  

Happy Weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Orchards and Wineries

Photo Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

Photo Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

Visiting pumpkin farms,  apple orchards and wineries are the perfect activity for the family on Fall weekends.  Many provide hayrides, corn mazes, wine and apple cider tastings, and did I mention sell these apple cider donuts pictured above.  Is there anything better to help say goodbye to the Summer and embrace Fall?  

Applebarnorchardandwinery in Elkhorn Wisconsin is a favorite of ours.  Once you visit their Country Store and Bakery, you'll never want to leave. Apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (I'll be posting a recipe for these on a future date), apple pies, local honey, jams, salsas and unique gifts along with seasonal decor.  They typically produce 11 wines, with offerings of apple, pear, strawberry, cranberry wines just to mention a few.  Their website gives directions and details.

Another that will become a family tradition once you visit is ElegantFarmer located in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.  Years ago I was a chaperone on our daughter's class camp trip and while the students were busy with activities, I set out to find a bakery that sold cookies I could bring back for the students.  I discovered ElegantFarmer and have been going back every since.  Visit their website and check out the electric train schedule and check out the Fall colors.  They are famous for their delicious apple pies baked in a brown bag.  Did I mention they sell these pies drizzled with caramel if you like?  They give you a fork so you can head right out to the picnic tables and indulge.  Visit the doughnut shack located in the orchard for warm cider fresh doughnuts while you pick your own apples.  

All this talk has made me crave doughnuts!  Happy Weekend.  

What's your favorite Fall tradition? 

Enjoy a Fall Picnic

I look forward to Fall every year. Leaves on the trees become brilliant colors and the air is suddenly crisp. Visiting the local farmers market and farm stands for the best selection of apples, pumpkins and squash are at the top of my list this month. Temperatures in the Midwest have been in the 90's this week, with humidity levels making it feel like 100. Summer is lingering and I'm not complaining. 

Al fresco dining is something our family enjoys Summer and Fall. .  With the calendar pages turning to September, you can still create a picnic Fall gathering easily with a bit of creativity. 

Here are a couple of simple suggestions to help enhance the experience.

1)  Throw a plaid blanket on a picnic table and give your table a nostalgic look.  

2)  Mason jars can serve as drinking glasses, utensil holders or my favorite is to pack individual salads in jars.

3)  Use pie plates as plates or muffin tins to hold condiments.

4)  Bundle silverware ahead of time in cloth napkins.

5)  Pumpkin or apple cider doughnuts (what else do you need?)

6)  Portable grills.

7)  Pumpkins and apples can serve as natural centerpieces.

What's your favorite picnic food?

Have a great weekend and embrace the day!