Tuesday's Tidbits

The days are getting shorter and cooler. The trees are starting to put on their autumn coats. With many hues of orange, red and yellow, they make us smile. The smells remind us of simpler times when our only job was to make huge piles of leaves and then jump in them until we were completely out of energy. Only to come home to find our mother waiting for us with freshly baked cookies or pie and something hot to drink.
With autumn finally starting to show her beautiful face, I thought that would be a good topic for this, my first Tuesday's Tidbits.

*Now that it's getting cooler, it's time to bring out your winter clothes and put away your warm weather wear. Pull out your boxes and tubs and get to work! Put away all your summer clothes, nice and neat where ever they are to be stored and with them place a sachet of your favorite scent. Lavender and cedar work well, because not only do the smell wonderful, they do a good job at keeping away the moths. While you're at it make (or buy) enough sachets to put some in your dresser drawers and hang in your closet too!

*On a cool autumn evening, pull on your favorite cozy sweater and make your self some spiced tea. (recipe to follow) Go outside and enjoy the cool night air. Close your eyes and just take time to appreciate the scents and sounds of the changing seasons. If you have a fire pit (I highly recommend them) light a fire in it. Nothing is quite as cozy and comforting as a crackling fire on a cold night!

*Before the days get too cool, take the kids to the park. Let them run themselves silly while you sit and enjoy a new book (or an old favorite).

*Go on a walk and pick up colorful fallen leaves that you see. They can be a beautiful touch to your seasonal decor.

*Why save those leaf piles for the kids? Go on ahead and jump in yourself! People might look at you funny, but who cares! You'll be having lots more fun than they are!

* Go for a trip to a local orchard or pumpkin patch. Or both! What better places to find autumn decorations and flavors. Buy your self some cider and apple and pumpkin butters. And get some pumpkins and gourds to mix with those leaves you collected.

*If you have a fire pit, now is a great time to have a wienie roast! And after that grab some marshmallows and make yourself some ooey-gooey s'mores!

*If you have a fireplace, now is a great time to make sure it is nice and clean to prepare for all the cozy fires you will be burning when it gets nice and cold outside.

* Go shopping for new comfy sweaters and throws and get your cozy on!

*Open up the house and let that gorgeous fall air in!

*Eat candy corn and candy pumpkins. This is the best time of year for candy!

*What better time can you think of to learn to knit?

* Then go ahead and knit yourself a scarf and hat!

*Go to your local fall festival and have a look at all the arts and crafts. Even play some of those games! They might be rigged, but you'll at least have fun trying!

*Buy some fun, colorful socks to keep your tootsies warm!

*Bake some cookies....then bake some pie.....then bake a cobbler....bake, bake bake. Save some for yourself and take the rest and surprise your friends and family with it!

Recipe for Spiced Tea (this is my favorite autumn drink!)

1 cup Tang
1/4 cup instant tea (unsweetened)
3/4 cup sugar
1.5 ounces lemonade mix
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Put all ingredients into a container, put the lid on and shake. Continue shaking until well mixed. Use 2 heaping tsp mix (more or less depending on taste) to 1 cup boiling water. Stir and enjoy!