A Fall Full of Fun

Last week I felt pretty sad about summer coming to end.  I missed the hot sun at the beach, slurpees at 7-11 (ok ok sometimes I still get them in the winter), tank tops and sundresses, and hot dogs at baseball games.; however, this week I’m feeling much better about the transition to fall. I’ve already stuffed my face with pumpkin macaroons and spice lattes, unpacked my sweaters, boots, and scarfs, and even turned my seat warmer on in the car. 

Fall is actually one of my favorite seasons because just like summer there are so many things to do! 

My friend recently told me about their “Before 30” bucket list, and I thought it was so great.  The bucket list contains items that realistically can be achieved, but are things he’s always wanted to do. Not only did this inspire me to put together my own “Before 30” list, but it also inspired me to create a list of “Fall Activities”.  I’m hoping to not only accomplish them all before winter’s here, but to also document each step along the way!

 

1.  Apple Picking

One of my absolute most favorite things.  I’ve only been once- last season- but I literally almost cried while I was there because the whole experience was so great.  Walking through the apple trees, wearing a big cozy sweater, watching family’s pick out apples together, taking three bites of every different kind of apple the  orchard has to offer, watching your boyfriend being manly, climbing up a tree to pick out that one exact apple you have your eye on - what’s not to love.  Last fall PR and I visited Stribling Orchard, and I would highly recommend. There was a huge variety of apples, it’s family friendly, and they even provide this rake thing that you can use to help pull the apples down from the trees.  They also have already picked apples that you can buy and the cutest little barn store where you can buy homemade apple anything (apple bread is A-MAZ-ING). 

Stribling Orchard

2. Virginia Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting 

While I’m at Stribling Orchard, I might as well pop next door to Chateau O’Brien.  Vineyard tours and wine tastings are also one of my favorite things to do.  I’ve heard rave reviews from so many people saying that Virginia wine country is beautiful and has so much to offer (this makes me even more proud to call VA my home).  The closest vineyard to me is only about 30 minutes away, so I am silly not take advantage!  I feel so lucky to say that I once did a bike wine tour through Tuscany, a champagne tasting in Champagne, and a wine and chocolate pairing in Africa- I can’t wait to add Virginia wine country to my list! (side note: one thing on my “Before 30” bucket list is to visit Napa Valley)

Chateau O'Brien

Flashback Friday- my mom and I during the bike wine tour #RollTide

3. Fall baking and cooking

You know that person who goes on a run to “unwind, relax, and distress”, well I’m not that person.  My stress reliever is baking. I have absolutely no idea why, but I love it.  It makes me so happy when the kitchen smells like fresh baked cookies or pie.  Fall is the perfect season for baking and cooking- twice as many parties are thrown, football tailgates happen pretty much every weekend (yes I’ve tailgated by myself in my apartment),  and sometimes you just need some warm squash soup or banana chocolate chip bread after a cold day. My fall goal is to bake or cook something new each weekend.  This weekend I am tackling these cream cheese & pumpkin roll bars and Pillsbury Taco Rollwiches with a side of salsa and homemade guac!  Next weekend I might try these delish Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins. Wish me luck

Cream Cheese & Pumpkin Roll Bars

 

Taco Rolls

4. Fall Decorating- Art & Crafts Project

The idea of arts and crafts is so great, but when you don’t have an artsy bone in your body it can be quite frustrating.  My lack of patience might play a role in my lack of partaking in arts & crafts.  If something does not look perfect and exactly right the first time, I tend to immediately stop and disregard it. BUT, this season is different! I am going to explore a new arts & crafts project and I’ve found the perfect one- pumpkin carving or painting.  My mother can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t really remember ever carving pumpkins as kids. I mean I am sure I did, but it’s not ringing a bell.  As I got older, I actually grew to despise carving pumpkins. Why? Because I’m horrible at it. I buy the stencil, I place it on the pumpkin, I start carving, and then my patience wears thin, my pumpkin turns into a smashed pumpkin, and the only thing left are the delicious cinnamon spiced pumpkin seeds that I bake. This year’s going to be different though. I’m going to paint some beautiful pumpkins, make a fall flower arrangement, and decorate my apartment with the crafts I’ve created.  (REAALLLYY hoping this one works out)

LOVE how pretty these look

5. Dodgers Playoff Games

I’ve been to two MLB playoff games- Yankees vs. Twins and Nationals vs. Cardinals- and the experiences were awesome, Yankees fans aside.  This year the Dodgers are in the playoffs and while I probably can’t attend the first round of playoffs, I’m hoping to attend the second or third round (yeh, because they are going to the Ship!)  The Nats season, my home team, is coming to end, but I’m so happy the Post Season is just beginning! 

First Dodgers game! Definitely not the last!

PR and I at a Nats game this summer #SpanFans #Hibachi

Need A Laugh?!

Sometimes you have those days when you  just need a good laugh...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57dzaMaouXA

 

Yup,this commercial is SO old, but it gets me every time!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA

My Heart Belongs to TJ

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am originally from Florida.  Unfortunately, Trader Joes, aka TJ, was nonexistent in Orlando.  A year and a half ago I took my first steps in Trader Joe’s and fell in love.  Why you ask?  What’s not to love?! Inexpensive, healthy frozen meals for single girls in need of a good meal, snacks on snacks on snacks (and I’m not talking goldfish- I’m talking Thai Lime & Chili Cashews, Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries, Speculoos Cookies dipped in Cookie Butter, just to name a few), fresh produce that doesn’t cost my entire paycheck, and a wine and beer selection that’s better than most local wine stores (oh and half the price)! 

Throughout the past year and half I’ve tried many things from TJ’s- shrimp fried rice, fresh arugula, spinach and kale Greek yogurt dip (sounds gross but is divine- I eat it by the spoonful), salmon burgers, champagne, wasabi roasted seaweed snacks, among many other things- but there’s been so much more that I either haven’t tried or am nervous to try.  I say nervous only because TJ’s offers the best frozen meals in every cuisine imaginable- Indian curry, Italian meatball flat bread, Korean kimchi, etc .  

I wanted to know more about certain TJ products before I bought them, so I decided to Google Trader Joe’s product reviews.  I stumbled across this blog, What’s Good At Trader Joe’s, and was hooked.  Nathan, the author, gives his honest opinion and explains exactly why he likes or dislikes a certain product.  I may not always agree with him, but I have to admit I’ve actually bought items at TJ’s because of his reviews.  So, for those of you who are TJ virgins or are looking to try new items there, I’ve put together my list of favorites, must haves, and need to try.  WARNING: don’t read this if you are hungry.

Cookie Butter- aka the first TJ's product I bought

Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter- made with speculoos cookies.  They taste like Delta's Biscoff cookies but in peanut butter form- comes in crunchy too.  Dangerous to keep in my apartment for fear of eating the whole thing in one sitting. 

Champagne- this is the BEST on budget champagne I’ll buy. At just $5.39 a bottle you are probably wondering why. Because it’s delicious, tastes like it’s from Champagne, France, goes great with OJ and at $5.39 a bottle it can’t be beat.

I've had macaroons from HERE in Paris and to be honest, these are just as good!

Pumpkin Macaroons- this is a recent try and the verdict is OBSESSION. I only allow myself to eat two a night because I could eat the whole box. Perfectly creamy and crunchy, not too sweat, and packed with pumpkin flavor. A must buy for fall season.

 

Pumpkin pancake and waffle mix- can you tell it’s Fall? I am a huge pumpkin anything fan so naturally this needs to be on the list.   

Trader Joe’s Egg White Salad with Chives- also a recent try and I’m addicted now. Super light and fresh and perfect to take to work for lunch.

Dying to use these in my Tater Tot Casserole

Sweet Potato Tots- Nathan’s review of these was spot on, they don’t really get crispy like they should in the oven, but for some reason I don’t care. The sweet potato flavor in tater tot form is on point. 

Great healthy game day snack!

Reduced Guilt Spinach and Kale Yogurt Dip- anyone who knows me knows I can easily survive on snacks, dips and appetizers and sometimes actually prefer them over regular meals. This dip is so delish I put that s**t on everything- crackers, chips, celery, in wraps, with a spoon, you name it. If you like spinach dip I would definitely recommend trying this. You can find it in the refrigerator aisle, but I recently served it in a bread bowl heated up in the oven and it tasted even more delish!

Hope these reviews are helpful- happy TJ shopping!