There’s More to Fall Than Pumpkin Spice
10 Things to do as the weather cools
When people think of Fall or Autumn, the first things you hear about are colorful leaves and pumpkin-spice everything. But before you light a pumpkin-spice candle, order your pumpkin-spice latte, and pull out your pumpkin-embroidered sweatshirts, there are a few other things you may need to do!
- Make sure you have all the fixings! Whether it’s for yourself or in the event friends drop by, be sure you have what you need to whip up a pot of chili, some hot soup, or a batch of cookies. It never hurts to have a few extra items in the cupboard just in case.
- Prep your car for winter driving. If you live somewhere where winter driving conditions can be hazardous, be sure to add things such as a blanket, extra gloves, a warm hat, jumper cables, a first aid kit, a small shovel and some sand or kitty litter to provide traction.
- Check your detectors. Your windows are going to be closed, the furnace is turned on, and space heaters will be keeping your bathrooms or office areas toasty. Be sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – push the button to test them!
- Time to put your garden to bed. Your yard and garden need a little TLC before the deep freeze of winter. Clear away any dead plants and prune any trees or berry bushes once the first frost has hit. Add fertilizer and mulch then water everything well so that the soil will be ready for planting in the spring.
- Clean your chimneys as well as any fireplaces, wood or pellet stoves. If you use any type of fire-based heating source, be sure everything is clean and ready for use as the weather cools.
- Winterize your gas grill. If you grill out year round, great! For many people though, it’s time to shut off the gas at the tank, clean the grills, then wrap the burner unit in plastic (to keep out creepy-crawlies) and enclose the entire unit in a water-proof cover.
- Change your furnace filter. Cheap and easy to do, this quick task will improve the air quality in your home as well as increase furnace efficiency.
- Put out the lap blankets. Time to freshen up the fall throws to make your living room warm and comfy.
- Can some fruit, stews, meat, or salsa….or learn how! Learn why homemade and home-preserved foods always taste better (and healthier).
- Volunteer. Every community desperately needs volunteers – whether at the library, food bank, animal shelter, or senior center. It’s a great way to help your community and keep yourself motivated as the weather cools and the day get shorter.