Fall – My Favorite Time of Year

Fall is my favorite time of year. I live in the country, so I’m surrounded by brilliant colors in the mountains and front yards. Apple orchards are in abundance here too, so I’m looking forward to homemade apple butter, apple crisp, and apple cider. If you have a quick and easy recipe for apple crisp, please leave me a link.

I discovered a Wine Festival last year that was absolutely wonderful. Normally when I go to wine festivals it’s adults only and we have a designated driver, but this particular festival is perfect for the family. The Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival has vendors galore, pumpkin carvings, games, face painting, hot air balloons, carnival rides, puppet shows, and dancing. My nephew had a ball. I’ll be taking him again this year and one of his friends. I love hanging out with him. He’s adventurous and he keeps me young. At least young at heart.

The trees have barely started to changed here. The festival is October 16 – 18. I was hoping the trees would be at their peak, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get my wish. I love taking pictures of the fall foliage. The boys will have fun regardless of the trees and the color of their leaves. That’s what’s truly important, but I did want to get a few good shots for my scrapbook. Here’s a picture of my nephew climbing the rock wall last year at the festival.


He also had fun with the pumpkin carvings (shown below). There were pumpkins everywhere. Not only where the pumpkins in abundance, they were huge. The artists were fascinating.


I had just as much fun as the kids. I’m always down for a good Italian Sausage, funnel cake and some uplifting music. This festival is on a 400 acre farm, which is absolutely beautiful. They launch air hot balloons and have pastures of horses grazing. Music plays throughout the day. Last year it was too windy to launch the hot air balloons, hopefully the weather will cooperate this year. In spite of the wind, it was a beautiful day to spread a blanket on the ground, watch the children play, horses graze, and allow the music to lift your spirits. The hot ar balloons launch twice a day, 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Guess who won’t be there at 7:00 am!  If you’re an early riser and/or live in the Shenandoah Valley area, save the date. You’ll receive lots of hugs and kisses from the kiddies. Leave us a comment and tell us about your family’s favorite fall activities.