Once October rolls in, and it’s still in the upper 90s, it’s not uncommon for people to start dressing like it’s fall here in Arizona. They say they are, “trying to bring fall.” Over the years, I have gotten better at figuring out how to pretend it’s fall. Some things work well, and some, like wearing a sweater in 90 degrees, do not. Want some ideas for how to pretend it’s fall? Keep reading to hear my suggestions.
Purchase Fall Colored T-Shirts
One fun way to pretend it’s fall is to buy fall clothes, but not sweaters and sweatshirts. I have some t-shirts that are burgundy and dark green, and really only wear them in the fall. Purchasing clothing that fits the environment, such as t-shirts, but are in a more fall-ish color scheme can make you feel like it’s a new season. Yes, I would love to wear sweaters in the fall here in Arizona, but then the result is that I am uncomfortable. It’s also kind of hot for pants, but capris work well. Plus, they have a fall-ish look to them and they make you feel like it’s a different season because you’re not wearing shorts. Pair it with a light-weight cardigan and you will feel like it’s almost fall.
Go Up North and Do a Fall Activity
Every year we go up north for a hike with our kids. The nice part about living in Arizona is that if you want cooler weather, its only two hours away. This year we went apple picking at Slide Rock State Park in Sedona. I was kind of warm, but since apple picking season in other states is in September, I was okay with being a little warm.
We got there early when it was cool, and I took a bunch of pictures of my family picking apples while they wore jackets. Those pictures will look more like fall pictures simply because we had jackets on. Every year I make a family calendar picture for my family, and pictures like these do make me happy because I can include them in the fall months. It warmed up and everyone took their jackets off.
If you go hiking in October, you can see fall leaves. I find that all the work of driving up north is worth it for my kids. Since we read lots of seasonal books, I want them to have a chance to see fall.
Wake Up Early and Go on a Walk
In Phoenix, the highs can still be rather warm, but the mornings are nice and cool. I enjoy waking up before my kids and going for a brisk walk. There’s something about being in cooler temperature, even if it’s for a few minutes, that sets the tone for the day. It’s refreshing and it gives you a little bit of that fall chill.
Bake and Cook Fall Foods
If it doesn’t feel like fall, then make it smell like fall. I like making applesauce in crockpot. It fills the whole house with the smell of cinnamon. Apple cookies and pumpkin bread are also a favorite of ours. Of course, and apple pie with homemade ice cream is amazing! Another favorite is soup simmering in the crockpot all day. It adds warmth and creates a cozy feeling, which is what everyone wants in the fall.
Take Pictures of Your Kids Near Deciduous Trees
What a lot of people don’t know is that some trees in Arizona, even in Phoenix, do lose their leaves in the late fall or early winter. Our neighbors have a tree that drops yellow leaves every fall. I’m not sure what kind of tree it is. What I do some years is while we are taking a walk, I take a bunch of pictures as they ride their bikes or scooters through the leaves. We also take some of the leaves home, excited to have a little bit of fall in the Sonoran Desert.
Another suggestion is to visit an arboretum at peak leaf season and take a bunch of pictures there. Of course, you should send them to everyone you know who lives somewhere cold and let them know that it’s a beautiful fall day.
Decorate
I know this is an obvious point, but it’s also very helpful – decorate your house. This will help you pretend it’s fall because there will be a noticeable difference in your home. My kids love getting out the fall décor and helping me decorate. We have a fall wreath, fake pumpkins (real pumpkins rot after a few days if they are outside in the heat), and a fall garland. I am not a fan of scented fall candles because the smell is so strong. So, I don’t use those a much.
Read Fall Picture Books with Your Children
Another great way to make it feel like fall is to borrow seasonal books from the library. This year I found a canvas bin I wasn’t using, and I put all my apple and leaf books in it. It was been fun grabbing a fall themed book to read with my kids. No, our backyard looks nothing like fall yet, but it’s still fun to celebrate the small changes – the shorter days, the cooler temperatures, the few trees that do lose their leaves. Our pomegranate bush loses its leaves. It’s not super exciting to some, but we take note of the changes and relate it back to the books we read. Below are some of our favorite fall picture books for September.
Be Content
I saved the best for last. I really miss fall. I grew up raking leaves and jumping into leaf piles. I wore jackets in October because it was chilly. Walking around outside was also fun because the leaves on the ground crunched. Some paths I walked were lined with trees. It was like strolling through an archway of gold, yellow, red, orange, and brown. The air smelled cool and crisp.
I understand why Anne from Anne of Green Gables was so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. It’s the most beautiful time of the year. Once you have lived in an area with fall, you understand how reinvigorating the new season is.
However, the truth is that you don’t always live in the places that seem like home. The right thing to do is the see the beauty where you live and grow in appreciation for it. Praying for contentment about where you live is also important. It’s taken practice to find good ways to pretend that it’s fall. Fall in Phoenix is not going to look the same as it does in New England, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything beautiful about fall here.
Maybe you’re like me and you miss fall. You can still enjoy the “fall” season wherever you live. You can choose to be thankful and pray for thankfulness. In the meantime, have fun doing the small things that bring a little bit of fall to you.
Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com