After summer was such a bust, I am almost hesitant to make a fall list.  If my favorite season falls flat this year, I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle it.  (Yes, I realize that I am basic.)  But the fact is – we need a fun fall.  We need sunshine, fresh air, and the chance to unplug and reconnect as a family.  The last few months have been stressful in the extreme, and we could really use a break and some joy.  So I’m going to make this list largely as an act of faith that the universe has good things in the works for us.

• Pick apples at Butler’s Orchard (and maybe some raspberries too?).
• Hike Big Meadows at Shenandoah National Park – moving this one over from the summer list.
• Roll up my sleeves and do some fall baking with Peanut.
• Catch up on the 52 Hike Challenge before it gets really cold.
• Read cozy mysteries – as many as possible.
• Run the Wonder Woman virtual 5K (and maybe the Alexandria Turkey Trot).
• Volunteer in Peanut’s classroom.
• Get back into Barre3.
• Pumpkin picking, of course!
• Take the kids trick-or-treating (they already have their costumes!) at Mount Vernon and in the neighborhood again.

That’s ten things!  I think that list looks pretty approachable.  There is some outdoor stuff on there, so hopefully it stops raining one of these days.  But there’s plenty on there that I can do no matter the weather and with even just a little spare time.  I’d love to sneak off for a weekend away, too – maybe to Virginia Beach, or maybe to the mountains – but I’m intentionally not putting it on the list.  If it happens, great.  If not, I’ll live.

What’s on your fall list?