"October gave a party, the leaves by hundreds came..."
George Cooper
Is there anything in the world more wonderful than October?! Okay, I may be a little biased because its my birthday month, but I have always had a love affair with October. As a child, there was something so incredibly enchanting about walking home from school on a crisp but sunny October afternoon, shuffling my feet through autumn leaves and coming in to find the deliciously warm aroma of my mom's homemade pumpkin bread filling our house. My siblings and I would then climb onto the couch in stocking feet, mouths stuffed with the scrumptious flavor of pumpkin and allspice, to have our mom read to us some of our favorite Halloween books. It's a memory that still fills me with the most intense delight each year as I unpack my October decorations and am overcome with the sensation of happy childhood October days.
To see just why I love October so much, visit my previous October Post "October Days Like These" to check out my family's ideas for celebrating this magical month! It includes:
Leaf Rubbings and Maple Leaf Crown Instructions
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| Twig and Toadstool.blogspot.com |
And even how to celebrate a traditional
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)!
Plus, here are some of my favorite Halloween books:
Some of my other favorite childhood Halloween traditions include playing in the autumn leaves, going for nature walks, drinking spiced cider with hot donuts, making and eating roasted pumpkin seeds after carving pumpkins, visiting a haunted house and of course trick or treating!
We've also always loved going to the Witchfest at Gardner Village. During October, you'll find witches around every corner of this darling little "village" full of charming shops and restaurants. While enjoying the gorgeous fall weather we see how many of these whimsical witches we can spot!
And it just wouldn't be October without a stop at Banbury Cross - a local bakery which serves up the most delicious Halloween donuts. They are shaped like black cats, bats, pumpkins and ghosts!
But did you know that Krispy Kreme also makes Halloween donuts each year?! How fun!
We also loved annual trips with our dad to a local farm for their Halloween fun and hayrides!
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| Wheeler Historic Farm, near Salt Lake City, Ut Photo courtesy: Jennamation Art |
And of course, getting to drive up one of the numerous GORGEOUS canyons just minutes away to see the unbelievable Autumn leaves!
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| Little Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City, Utah Photo courtesy: nileguide.com |
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| Alpine Loop, Utah Photo courtesy: distantvistas.com |
And last but not least, stopping at Einstein Bagels for their gourmet spiced pumpkin bagels "shmeared" with pumpkin cream cheese!
What are some of your family's favorite October traditions?! What tasty pumpkin goodies or Halloween festivities have you discovered around town? I'd love to hear!
Whatever you do, I
hope you have a wickedly fun Halloween!
