I found this via Pinterest a few days ago, shortly before Mish & I had a conversation about how there’s so much to do in New England during Autumn. Here are a few things I’m planning on doing this Fall:
+ Exhibiting at the Manchester Art Association Annual Craft Fair, October 29, 10 am – 3 pm.
I am beyond excited to exhibit at my very first craft fair, at Manchester Community College! With just about a month left until the fair, I plan on posting ideas for table designs, packaging, and other process-type things. More info about the fair here.
+ Apple picking!
My favorite place to pick apples is Roger’s Orchards in Southington. I have a lot of good memories going apple picking here as a kid with my family. “Pick-Your-Own” is open at both of their locations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00-5:00, weather permitting. Also, their apple cider and apple cider doughnuts are delish!
+ Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Speaking of apples and Southington, I’m going to have to find time to go to the Southington Apple Harvest Festival, too! There are always some great crafters exhibiting there, plus contests {like pie-eating!}, and the best apple fritters on this Earth! The Festival is open beginning this weekend, September 30-Oct 2, and next weekend, Oct 7-9. Hours vary by day, check the schedule here.
+ Halloween Knights at the CT Renaissance Faire.
And what would my Fall be without a trip to the CT Renaissance Faire in Hebron? Stan, Michele, Jeff, baby Noah and I are going October 15th, to witness the Halloween Knights event. In addition to the “regular” shows, games, and other fun things to do, Halloween Knights extends the faire from 6 to 8pm, when all sorts of ghosts, zombies and other haunted creatures of the night come out to spook. They also have a fantastic Thriller dance and, last year, there was a haunted hay ride! The Faire opened last weekend and runs every Saturday & Sunday through October 16th.
+ Scenic Leaf-Turning Ride.
When I was younger, my Dad used to take us on scenic leaf-turning rides to the Yankee Candle Factory in Deerfield, MA. It was always such a magical and special experience for me. I don’t know if Stan and I will be going to the Yankee Candle Factory, but I hope we take some kind of scenic drive while the leaves are changing.
+ Fancy Drinks & Candy Apples
I’m not a huge fan of caramel apples, but I do love candy apples! If I don’t eat one at the Ren Faire or Harvest Festival, I’ll probably host a candy apple making party. As for fancy drinks, I do love making & drinking chai tea lattés throughout the fall and winter.
What are your favorite things to do this time of year? Know of any really good haunted hay rides or haunted houses?
Yes, I love Renaissance Faires. Just a few months ago, I went to the CT Robin Hood Springtime Festival for the first time, but this past weekend, I was really excited to return to the New York Renaissance Faire — where my love for ren faires was born many, many years ago!
I dressed as a witch {a good witch, of course! Though, back then, everyone believed they were all bad witches}, and I was even brazen enough to stand next to a priest — ha!
Above are some highlights of my costume — feather hair pins {I made them myself with swan/goose feathers I found on the ground in Wickham Park. Don’t worry, I washed and sanitized those feathers endlessly}, a pretty feather and bead hair clip given to me by a friend, a brown belt, witchy necklaces, brown buckle booties, and even a black money pouch {I also had rocks in there, but I’m not sure why}.
I was accompanied by the boyfriend, my friends Michele and Jeff {above, left, dressed as a dragon tamer} and Jeff’s son, Noah the dragon, who was endlessly amused by the faeries wandering about the faire.
…I wish I had taken more photos of the faire itself, but I was too busy eating ginormous turkey legs and drinking freshly squeezed lemonade. There’s tons to do at the faire — even more than the CT one — including a human chess game, archery tournaments, jousting, a singing gravedigger, Washing Well Wenches, axe throwing, and tons of awesome shops. The faire runs through September 25th, so plan your trip soon! Read more about the NY Renaissance Faire and buy tickets here.
In exactly one week {plus a few minutes for those pesky trailers}, Jill, Stan, and I — along with millions of fans around the world — will be glued to large projection screens, watching the last movie of the Harry Potter series. I will probably need to hold Stan’s hand the whole time. I’ve been obsessed with these books since I was 11. I honestly don’t know how it will feel to have the entire series ended…
The United States of America is 235 years old today! Well, at least the original thirteen colonies are, but let’s not split hairs. How are you celebrating? Stan and I went to a cookout at my Dad’s house on Saturday. I brought homemade red velvet cupcakes and was the only one wearing red, white, and blue {Stan said I looked like Captain America}. We also blew up a watermelon:
A quick shout-out to the man who gave me my good looks and good humor…
To the man who taught me how to ride a bike and, if I fell off, that it was important to always get back on:
To the man who, later in life, taught me how to drive a car. Though, honestly, Dad, you were a scary driving instructor and I’m glad I went to driving school. With a teenage nickname of “Crash Jensen,” I don’t think any of us should have taken driving lessons from you. Just saying! ;)
To the man who took us on fun vacations, and even more fun birthday parties. Like my 21st, for example, when you encouraged me to get drunk and you got drunk right along with me. You’re so awesome :)
I wouldn’t be as driven or creative as I am today if it weren’t for you, constantly pushing me to do better, to reach higher, and always encouraging me to use my imagination, while also keeping one foot on the ground. You continue to inspire and motivate me. I love you SO much, Dad. You rock!
