As I was reading up on the October holidays, I came across a list of dates on this website, and October 12th caught my attention.
October 12th is Cookbook Launch Day, where schools, churches, and other clubs ask members to donate a recipe to compile a community-wide cookbook.
Pondering why this grabbed my attention, I remembered when discussing meal time with a group of mom friends earlier in the week. We lamented that we always make the same dishes based on what our kids will eat and have fallen into a bit of a rut regarding new ideas. Also, of course, is the lack of time and interest to prepare meals with busy schedules where we are frequently running out the door or rushing in late in the evening with no plan for dinner.
This reminded me of how my grandmothers used to write down recipes and keep them in a book or binder and how special and nostalgic it is to see their handwriting and recall fond memories of them based on their cooking and memories of our meals together. This inspired me to create a family book of recipes that we all enjoy, organized by seasons.
With this in mind, I decided to get together with family and our neighborhood community, which is comprised of many families with young children, and compile a recipe book that can be shared with everyone.
Since it is early fall and Halloween is fast approaching, I started with fall-themed recipes or recipes I typically make as the weather turns colder and throw in some fun Halloween snacks and treats to boost the mood and prepare for the holiday.
Fall-Themed Recipes
1. Butternut Squash Soup: This has always been a comforting favorite of mine in the fall season, and my kids like it because it is a little sweet. I like to serve with warm, crusty bread and sometimes rice to make it more of a hearty meal. Here is the recipe I use.
2. Pumpkin Dishes: I use Martha Stewart’s recipes often and find these various pumpkin recipes to be creative and great for families to enjoy together. Check out the Roasted Pumpkin with Shallots and Sage recipe.
3. Cider-Roasted Pork Tenderloins: This is a great pork recipe and great for fall with the cider element.
4. Beef Stew: Another great fall and comforting food. I love soups and stews in the fall and winter.
5. Buttermilk Cornbread: This is more of a side dish but goes so well with soups or any fall-themed dish. I also love to eat at breakfast time.
6. Baked Mac n Cheese: This is a family favorite and loved by all. We frequently make this dish in the fall and winter months and serve it on its own or as a side with a meat dish.
7. White Bean Chicken Chili: This is a favorite of mine with the chilis and peppers and a great alternative to traditional chili recipes.
8. One-Pot Braised Chicken with Kale and White Beans: It may be tough to convince the kids to eat the kale, but they love the crispy chicken with another side of vegetables, so this recipe works for us.
9. Chicken Pot Pie Soup: A warm and comforting meal to share with family on a chilly fall day.
10. For a delicious dessert, check out this apple crisp recipe. It’s also a great way to use the apples you bring home from your local orchard.
Fall Craft Ideas
Below is a list of some of our favorite fall crafts. These are a great way to spend time together on weekends or rainy days.
- Thankful Tree: This is a good way to reflect on the past year and personalize a meaningful craft. I like to do it with my kids early in the fall and keep it up over the holidays. There are several different options to choose from.
- Painted Pumpkins: These are creative, and there are many ways to decorate pumpkins throughout the fall season, not just Halloween. My favorite is the black and white striped pumpkin.
- Animal Pumpkins: These are fun and easy ways to decorate small pumpkins with leaves, acorns, and other outdoor items.
- Coffee Can Scarecrow: A cute and easy craft to decorate for the fall.
- Fall Felt Picture Frames: These are a fun way to decorate and update photographs around your house. I also like using leaf and other fall stickers on wood frames.
