Fall is here and there is no better time to start some family fun traditions!

Cooler temperatures, warm apple cider and the crunching leaves beneath our feet create a full sensory experience for the young and old alike.

It never ceases to amaze me how we can hear an old song on the radio, and in an instant, we are taken back to the first moment we heard that same song played just years before.

Who were you with? What were you doing?

Or so often we smell something cooking and a memory of our past is so quickly triggered: how old we were, how we felt and who was cooking.

Our memories come rushing in like a storm triggered by nothing more than our senses. This fall let’s keep our senses “happy” and keep those memories coming!

Here are a few of my favorites:

See:

There is plenty to see in fall! There are the classic fall colors and harvest symbols that never seem to get old. Red, yellow, orange and the rich browns decorate the world around us: pumpkins, gourds, and cornstalks add a special touch. Be sure to set the scene in your home this year. Purchase several mini-pumpkins and place them on a console table, place a bunch on a kitchen counter, decorate a book shelf, or fill up some hurricane vases. Use leaves to make a simple wreath for your front door. Cornstalks are great for those with porches - they make excellent framing for the front entry.

For all your outside fall decor be sure to check out:

• Hall's Nursery
• Soulliere Garden Center
• Greenhouse Growers – (don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce and farm fresh eggs while your there)

Smell: Mmmm … my favorite the spices of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, everything pumpkin and baked apples. The rich smell of nature's finest meets the spiciness of life!

French Toast Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 Stick of butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 5 eggs
• 1 ½ cup. milk
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 1 loaf of Texas toast (we buy ours at Kroger)

Preparation:

In a 9 by 13 inch pan, melt butter. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg over melted butter. Mix eggs and milk in a separate bowl. Dip each slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture place evenly on top of the butter/spice mixture. There will be six slices of bread on the first layer. Layer the remaining slices on top (creating two layers of dipped bread). Pour remaining egg/milk mixture over all layers. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes (until golden brown). Invert and serve warm!

And a good cup of pumpkin coffee!

Taste:

Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients

Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces

Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Seasoning
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 15-oz. can pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

Preparation

1. Make topping: In a bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add butter and combine until mixture is crumbly. Refrigerate while making batter.
2. Make cake: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter and flour a 9 by 13-inch cake pan. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, applesauce, pumpkin, vanilla and both sugars until well mixed. Whisk in eggs. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined; do not overmix. Pour batter into cake pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with reserved topping.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan for atleast 20 minutes.
   

Touch:

Shaving cream leaf painting (for the little guys)

Its time to get messy! Grab some shaving cream, food coloring and a cardstock leaf template (you might want several cut out leaves … the kids will want to make many); gather up your child or children, and get ready to create some awesome marbleized artwork.

1) Spray shaving cream on a plate/tray,

2) Dispense drops of food coloring on top of your shaving cream mound,

3) Swirl shaving cream and various color droplets together using a toothpick to create a beautiful design,

4) Place the leaf template gently onto the ‘gooey” fun

5)  Lift carefully and remove any access shaving cream off the front of your art work (I use another piece of cardstock) ; all that should remain are the beautiful colors

6) Set aside dry and decorate for fall

Hear:

Take some time to enjoy the crunching leaves on an afternoon walk and the gentle sound of the wind blowing the remaining leaves still up above.

Have a splended weekend with your loved ones and try something new. Whether it is a new tasty recipe, or a new "sight to see, have fun and be safe! I would love to hear from you on the Patch or at amamajourney@gmail.com