Fall Bucket List

Unlike most of my fellow gals, I don’t jump at the idea of fall. I think pumpkin spice lattes are gross, and the hype of flannel and boots season always comes premature. While I love the onset of cool nights and no AC, I wish for Indian summers and bask in the sun for as long as I can. Eventually, it gets far enough into October, and cool enough for a while, that I finally give in. Usually, that’s on a chilly weekend when all I want to do is bake, try new soup recipes and spend the entire day warm in the kitchen.

If I’m being honest, that really is probably what I look forward to most with colder weather – hearty cooking and new recipes. Lots of which I plan to share on here over the next few months. I put together a list of what I’m looking forward to this season – most of which involve food. Can you blame me?

Make this Pie, Again – My favorite pie, ever. The easiest recipe. And the perfect way to use up all the extra apples from the orchard.

Blog More – I went on a few weeks’ hiatus from dedicating time and brain power to sharing on this site. Why? A lack of inspiration and a few external factors. It’s easy to forget why you start such a passionate project like this, and you always want to make sure you love, and are proud, about what you’re sharing. A new season = a new perspective for creating content. And the holidays are a comin’….

Hang by the Bonfire at Park & Field – This was on my summer list too, but it’s much more appealing in the fall. You can even buy a s’more pack to roast marshmallows.

Exercise More – When the clocks turn back, so does my attitude. I always have difficulty with the time change – whether it’s my mood or my sleep schedule. Evening workouts keep me busy and help combat the seasonal depression, time to step it up and beat the winter blues.

Order the Butternut Squash Pizza at Stella Barra – A seasonal dish that’s only on the menu during the fall/winter. It’s one I would never have tried without a friend’s suggestion, but it’s everything. I tried recreating it at home but it just wasn’t the same… one day!

#Hygge my Apartment – Is that how you say it? Hygge is a Danish word meaning “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Basically, it’s when you’re cozy and you feel good about it. And this design trend in apartments calls for the coziest, neutral, warm apartments. I think this is doable, given #studiolife.

Try this Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe – I saw Sunny Anderson make this recipe a year ago on The Kitchen and it’s never left my hungry brain. It seems so easy and is packed full of flavor.

Run the Hot Chocolate 5k – A run in Chicago in November? Sounds… risky… But this race has chocolate and the end and throughout so it can’t be so bad, right?