12 Things We Love About Fall
October 6, 2021 by Crystal
After the Labor Day weekend signals the unofficial end of summer, we get antsy for fall to arrive. To help get into the spirit while we patiently wait for the weather to cooperate, we compiled a roundup of the 12 things we love most about fall.
1. Being Outside Again
August in Texas takes the dog days of summer to a whole new level. It doesn’t matter when you venture out, the forecast is hot and sticky, so we tend to stay inside to beat the heat. Once September rolls around, we’re ready for cooler weather and the sooner the better. A balmy 90-degree evening is a real treat!
2. Crisp Autumn Mornings
It’s tough to get excited about pumpkin spice when it’s hotter than Hades outside. The first cool front is always a breath of fresh air (literally)!
3. Red Wine
Except for Champagne, because, well, it’s always a good time for Champagne, we’re seasonal wine
drinkers. Rosé and white wines during the warmer months and reds in the cooler months. Bring on the Pinot Noir!
4. Apples
We love visiting the local Central Market when apples are in season. There are so many varieties to choose from. This year, we’re planning to take a day trip to a pick-your-own farm. Texas isn’t known for apples, but we’ve heard good things about Apple Valley Orchards in Llano. We have a feeling that picking our own will make our caramel apples extra special this year.
5. Autumn Fairs and Festivals
One of the things I love about the fall season are the many fairs and festivals and we have some really good ones that happen around the state of Texas. From the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest to the State Fair of Texas here in Dallas, there are myriad ways to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. For me, a day at the State Fair of Texas is nostalgia at its finest. I love walking the fairgrounds, exploring the exhibits, sampling the fried culinary creations, and hitting the midway. I look forward to a freshly deep-fried Fletcher’s Corny Dog slathered in mustard all year long! This year, I’m hoping to take a trip to the Texas Rose Festival in Tyler, Texas. It’s been on my to-do list for several years now and it always seems like life gets in the way.
6. Chili Season
Fall is chili season y’all. Whether you like yours Texas-style (no beans) or some other variation (hello, white chicken chili), no fall festival would be complete without a good old -fashioned chili cookoff. We’ll take ours with all the fixins (sour cream, avocado, and cheese) and fresh cornbread crumbles (or a heaping helping of Fritos), please.
7. Football Season
When college football starts up again, it means fall weather is just around the corner and we love a good football watching party in Texas. It’s a great excuse to get family and friends together for food, fun, and a little friendly rivalry. Marching bands, color guards, mascots, tailgates, you just can’t beat the college football atmosphere. Game on!
8. Fall Foliage
As a child, I loved the sound of crunchy leaves underfoot and jumping into a pile of freshly raked leaves. As an adult, I look forward to scenic drives or a nature hike to enjoy the kaleidoscope of fall colors. Although we like to say that we only have two seasons in Texas, there are a plethora of places to experience the splendor of autumn. My family hails from East Texas, so we make a trip out to the Piney Woods every year. This year, we’re planning a weekend getaway to Lost Maples State Natural Area. Lost Maples is another spot that has eluded me for years. Here in Texas, peak foliage doesn’t last for very long. Texas Parks and Wildlife updates on the status of the fall colors on the park Facebook page. It seems like my timing is always just a little off. I’m hoping for better luck this year.
9. Flavors of Autumn
You know that feeling you get when you’re simmering a pot of hearty soup or cider in the kitchen and the whole house fills with the warmth and aroma of delicious goodness? When the fall season is finally underway and the temperatures outside start to drop, our taste buds crave the cozy flavors of fall. Here are a few of our favorites: apple, caramel, cinnamon, chai, clove, cranberry, fig, nutmeg, pear, maple, pomegranate. Does hot chocolate count as a flavor?
10. Baking
Cooler temps and homemade treats go together like pecan pie and ice cream. It’s the perfect excuse to break out that Kitchen Aid mixer that’s been collecting dust all summer!
11. A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin patch visit is a must-do every year. We’re partial to the spectacular Pumpkin Patch at the Dallas Arboretum. A Dallas-Fort Worth treasure, it’s an annual tradition and not to be missed. For a quick and easy pumpkin-flavored treat, we love to bake up a batch of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Icing.
12. Sweater Weather
We’re counting down the days until that first break in the weather so we can swap our closets. Every year, we excitedly pull our coziest sweaters and boots out of storage only to have to wear flip flops and shorts again two days later. The same thing happens in reverse in the spring. As every Texan can attest, it’s a seasonal tradition of sorts.
I hope you enjoyed this little roundup of fall favorites. What do you love most about fall? I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Originally posted on September 10, 2019. Updated with photos, links, and text on October 6, 2021