Fall Bucket List
How to embrace fall in Arizona
Something magical happened last week when my alarm went off and I took Yoshi outside: I felt chilled.
Kyle has always said that Semptember 15th is when the weather starts to change in Phoenix. That statement may be misleading - there’s no obvious crispness to the air or leaves changing colors that mark the season of fall. His statement is regarding a dip in temperature for the wee hours of the morning before the day gets up to 100 degrees again.
But after months of straight heat around the clock, this slight change is the glimmer of hope we Phoenicians need. It’s time to be outside at 5am and swinging at the park by 6:00 and even wearing a light long-sleeve shirt every though it’s still way too warm for that but we’re so ready to move onto sweater weather.
That ever-so-slight chill is our reward for surviving a record number of triple-digit days, and we’re going to soak it up and embrace it.
Fall is here!
Having grown up in Illinois, “fall” is a strange concept to adapt to in Phoenix. The city goes about providing all the fall things you love doing in the Midwest, like apple orchards and pumpkin patches and fall festivals. But it’s weird when you and your kid are peeling off layers and sweating your buns off just trying to find the perfect pumpkin.
I’m used to cozying up in hoodies and blankets and making hot toddies for tailgates in the fall. Here, we’re still getting our pumpkin-spice lattes iced.
But we hold onto those 5am morning chills, because we know we’re about to go into our 8-month fall/spring combo season, skipping right over that nasty winter thing.
It’s easy to look forward to fall and then it comes and you’re so busy that when you look up it’s suddenly a million degrees again for the next 90-day forecast. Not this year.
A friend of mine made a fall bucket list, in August, I believe as a summer coping mechanism. I loved this idea so I’m copying it.
Making a list helps you plan your weekends intentionally, so that you schedule time for the things you really want to do. (I’ve always enjoyed making these kinds of lists at the start of a new year, check out my 19 Things in 2019 list).
So here’s my 2023 Fall Buck List - and for my Swiftie readers, get inspiration from this Folklore Fall checklist!
Family time at Vertuccio Farms
Hike once a month, at least!
Make pumpkin cut-out cookies (this is my go-to pumpkin recipe every year)
Have a 1989 (Taylor’s Version) release party
Sit outside for sunsets as often as possible
Try a new coffee shop (Dialogue, I’ve got my eyes on you)
Take Leo to an apple orchard
Host or attend a Friendsgiving
Read a fall-themed pick (here’s last year’s pick)
Take Leo trick-or-treating for the first time!
Run outside often.
Use my new tea set.
Take Leo to downtown Chandler’s Halloween Spooktacular.
Go to a candle-making class. (This one looks awesome.)
Take a calligraphy class.
Either participate in NaNoWriMo or take a writing class.
Go to an Arizona Cardinal’s game - first NFL game!
Wear plaid shirts while listening to Red (Taylor’s Version).
Spend a day reading outside with coffee or tea.
What’s on your list for fall? If you’re in Arizona, what am I missing?
I hope your season is starting to change in the best way. Until next week, dear reader!
TS Song of the Week - All Too Well (10-minute version)
For all the fall feels 🧣
Parenting Thing I Tried: Tap Mommy’s shoulder if you need something
Little Leo has been home sick all week with something yucky, and the poor boy just wants to cuddle Mommy. And more accurately, I just want to cuddle him. But Momma has to get work done, too.
I read a tip in The Montessori Toddler on interrupting - tell them that if they need you, they can tap you on the shoulder and you’ll get to them when you can.
I tried this when I had a meeting pop up while Leo was home. It helped that Leo was watching Up, a movie you can’t peel his eyes from, but when I gave my my schpeel about tapping my shoulder, he repeated me and it seemed to click in that feverish little toddler head.
He stayed on the couch, and when I he heard me start talking in my meeting, he came in the office and said he wanted a hug. I mean, a hug? How can I not? It was the cutest interruption I’ve ever had. So on camera, I gave him a giant hug, he smiled at everyone on the screen, then ran off back to the couch.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. I think this one can catch on.
A fall checklist is a must do! 💕