You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get out and enjoy the autumn air
By Matt Smith
Summer may be over, but there’s no shortage of outdoor activities you can share with your loved ones in the fall months.
The cooler weather is ideal for exploring the great outdoors. Take a leisurely stroll or a hike through the woods to take in the changing leaves, and don’t forget to bring along your camera to capture the fall foliage. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get in shape, cooler temperatures provide the perfect conditions for a run or a bike ride to help you get in some exercise before the winter hits.
There’s still plenty to do in your garden in the fall, and that doesn’t just mean raking up leaves. Once temperatures start dropping below 10°C (50°F), you can begin planting bulbs for the spring. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and many other plants are ideal candidates, and you’ll have something to look forward to over the winter.
Now is also a great time to set up bird feeders in your yard to welcome more winged visitors.
Visit a farmer’s market for the cornucopia of fresh produce and local crafts, which might just get you started thinking about gift ideas for the winter holidays. Better yet, why not pay a visit to the farm or orchard itself? Apples and pumpkins are in abundance, and you can use what you take home for seasonal baking. Thanksgiving may have passed, but that doesn’t mean that you have to stop enjoying apple and pumpkin pies, crumbles, and other goodies, and pumpkins and squashes make for hearty soups to chase away any chills.
And let’s not forget canning—not only is this a thrifty way to make use of all the harvest’s produce, but preserves make great gifts for your family and friends.
Photo: iStock/Kirkikis.
