Fall Traditions & Getaways

You might not think so, but, Fall is a great time to travel. It’s a little cooler, there are special events on at many resorts, and the crowds are much lighter, since the kids are back in school. For example in Orlando, there is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World,  the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. There are great Fall family events all over North America.

One of my favorite things about Fall is the food. Who could resist all if the apple, cinnamon and pumpkin recipes that pop up on Pinterest at this time of year? Not me! I never get tired of the smell or taste of fresh apples from the orchard! I’ve included my favorite Fall recipe at the end of this post!

If you’re going to do some Fall cooking you should consider visiting local farms. The best way to really enjoy your fall cooking, is to go pick those apples and pumpkins yourself! You’ll appreciate your baking even more afterwards. Last year we tried to go apple picking, and to our disbelief, all of the orchards were sold out! We’ll be heading out early this season so we don’t miss out!

Taking a day trip, or weekend getaway, to go apple picking, can also be combined with other Fall family activities. Here in Nova Scotia we have Ghost Walks, Fall Foliage Tours, the Valley Pumpkin Festival, the Pumpkin People Festival, the Seaside Harvest Festival, Oktoberfest, a Haunted Village and more!

Taking the Kids has compiled a great list of fun fall activities, day trips, and weekend getaways for families. The Louisiana Gumbo Festival and the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival both sound delicious to me!

FOURTEEN GREAT IDEAS FOR A FALL FAMILY VACATION OR GETAWAY

My favourite family recipe passed down from my grandmother to bake in the Fall is pumpkin pie. I’m still perfecting my crust but the filling is no fail! It’s too easy. It’s so delicious and a great cold weather comfort food. You can serve it warm or cold. I just love the whole process of finding the pumpkin, cutting it up and cooking it as a family. Half the fun of baking, in my opinion, is in teaching my children family traditions, such as how to cook from scratch, and knowing I’m giving them a life lesson they can’t get anywhere else.

Nanny’s Pumpkin Pie

2 Eggs

1 3/4 – 2 Cups of Cooked Pumpkin Puree (1 Can)

3/4 Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

Pinch of Ginger

1 1/2 Cups of Milk

Make your favourite pie crust. Put the bottom crust in a 9 inch pie dish. Finish the edges the way you like it. (I like to pinch mine.) Mix all of the above ingredients well. I use a blender to puree it smooth. Pour mixture into pie dish. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes and then reduce to 350 degrees, for 40-50 minutes, or until cooked. (When a knife comes out clean.) Serve plain, with ice cream or with fresh whipping cream. (My favourite!)

*Alternative – I often replace all or part of the white the sugar with brown sugar or maple syrup.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Taking the Kids. All opinions are my own. Also, this photo is not my pie. I did not get a photo before it was gobbled down!