Fall Fun in the District, Maryland, and Virginia

 Did you know I’m a fan o’ fall? If this is your first time on our blog page, (first of all, welcome!). Secondly, it’s no secret that I think fall is the best of all the seasons. Maybe I shouldn’t have a favorite season. Maybe it’s like being a parent and having a favorite child is somehow unfair. But honestly, be it season or child, we do have favorites, don’t we? Don’t worry. The favorite child thing will be our secret.

Although those that suffer with allergies may disagree, fall is truly worth the wait. The air is crisp, the trees are full of beautifully colored leaves, boots and scarves are back “in”, and hot chocolate can once again be consumed in large quantities.

To help me remember to do all of the things I’ve been thinking about since Memorial Day, I make a “Fall Things to Do” list. Yeah, some of the things on the list don’t get checked off…but that’s ok! I can guarantee that I, and everyone around me, had fun doing what we did!!

If you don’t already have a list of things planned to do this season, we can help. Check out the list below.

Things to Do Outside of the Home

1. Visit a Virginia Winery

I’m not a wine drinker so my friends think I’m missing out and my family thinks I’m adopted. However, I did grow up in Germany and have a strong appreciation for the wine process, pairings with food, and especially, the beauty of a vineyard. Lo and behold, Virginia has its own winery’s and vineyards. Who knew? Grab your loved one or your party posse and take a day trip out to a local winery. I bet they even offer free samples. ;)

Start your winery research here:

Stone Tower Winery: http://www.stonetowerwinery.com

Rappahannock Cellars: https://www.rappahannockcellars.com

Greenhill Winery & Vinyards: http://greenhillvineyards.com

2.  Cox Farms Fall Festival

Even if you aren’t a fall freak like me, it’s still a time of year that teens and younger kids can have big fun! Head out to Cox Farms (only 27 miles from Ft. Myer). The annual fall festival has a corn maze, market, food, hay rides, and other attractions. Go there, participate in a few attractions, buy a couple of apples and a pumpkin or two and, voila! You’ve just made a memory!

3.  Rock Creek Park

Become one with nature this fall with a visit to Rock Creek Park. Let the kiddos release some pent-up energy at one of the many playgrounds found throughout the park, followed up by a refuel with a picnic lunch. For a small fee, you can enjoy a horseback ride, or rent a bicycle and feel the crisp breeze take over as you coast down one of the paved bike paths. For those that love the night sky, Rock Creek Park has an on-site planetarium. Park Rangers also conduct free programs twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Rangers also lead outdoor night sky programs with telescopes through November. Free tickets may be picked up for these programs one hour in advance at the Nature Center.

https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm

4.  Arlington National Cemetery / Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

The National Cemetery encompasses 624 acres overlooking the Potomac River across from Washington, D.C. In addition to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington contains other monuments and memorials. These include the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial which honors the crew of STS-51-L who died on January 28, 1986 shortly after liftoff. A similar memorial honors the crew of STS-107 who perished when the shuttle Columbia was destroyed during reentry on February 1, 2003. There are also monuments to Women in Military Service for America and a Cross of Sacrifice honoring Americans who fought with Canadian Forces during both World Wars and Korea. Other memorials honor those who died on Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland and in the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001.

Please note that in November, the Changing of The Guard takes place every hour on the hour.

Things to Do Inside of the Home

1. 30 Pay Picture Challenge

Now that we have a camera with us at all times (thanks to the little computer we carry with us disguised as a smart phone), we’re able to take pictures rather quickly to capture all the moments. Put your smart phone camera skills to use for good and participate in a November picture. The premise behind the activity is to take a specific picture each day of the month to capture your life for the month. You can do this with friends or family…or both. Make it fun and show everybody’s pictures at the end of November at a pizza party or offer a prize for the person who completes the whole 30 days. It doesn’t matter how you end the challenge as long as you participate!

2. Make Caramel Apples

Caramel apples is another reason fall is the best season ever! The original caramel apple is delicious on its own but now sophisticated-type people are adding toppings to the caramel. Imagine dipping the juicy Golden Delicious Apple into the warm and melted caramel…then dipping that into a bowl of crushed peanuts, chocolate shavings, or coconut. Genius! I serve these a lot for dessert throughout fall. I take a variety of caramel apples, slice them into wedges, and present them on a serving platter. Yumm-o!

3.  Decorate Your Home in Fall Coziness

I used to think decorating for the holidays was an expensive venture. You need 5 scarecrows, guest towels, kitchen mats, fake leaves, pumpkins, something called “mums”, candles, Pilgrims… That stuff can get expensive, so I thought. We found some really cool and inexpensive ways to turn your home into a beacon of fall coziness. Visit us on Pinterest to see all about it. @jbmhhfmwr

4.  Smell The Sounds of The Season

I looooooove a house that smells like something other than house. A house can smell like boiled, dirty socks, cat, wet dog, stale laundry, last night’s dinner, etc. I like the (not so strong) smell of candles or potpourri in a home. I especially like to smell the season. Nothing is better than walking outside on chilly, somewhat breezy day, and smelling a fireplace or leaves burning. Those smells mean it’s fall! Try a seasonal simmer pot to add a fragrant, seasonal aroma to your beautifully decorated house…especially if company is coming over.

These are just a few things you can do to really enjoy and get the most out of this most beautiful season! Autumn has finally returned and I’ve “fall”en in love all over again.