Fall Friday - A Post for Mom

The winner of the brunch is Mdasse02! Email me!! Congrats :)

I am so excited to share this post with you all today because it is absolutely my favorite fall story and about to be my favorite holiday of the year! That is right, tomorrow October 15th is a holiday! Did you miss that one on your calendar because it is on mine.  In my house, ever since I was young October 15th was the most important holiday of the year and I wanted to share with you why.

When my mother was a young girl, she did the most intelligent thing ever, she created her own holiday.  The legend is that one day she woke up, walked downstairs, and told her parents, Today is my favorite day of the year. The leaves are changing, it is beautiful out, it is my favorite day of the year.  Pretty genuis right?  She in essence created her own holiday.   Since that time, my family has celebrated October 15th just as if it were a national holiday.  We buy a cake and get cards and presents for my mom (speaking of which my card seems like it will be a little late eekk sorry mom!, dad go buy one for me and make it look like it is from me ooops).  Even my mom's friends would send her cards and buy her presents.  Don't you wish you thought of this?

October 15th Pumpkin!

Fast foward, a few years, and you have me up in college in Boston realizing how much more amazing Fall is in New England than New Jersey (sorry New Jerseyites, but it is true).  I still wanted to celebrate October 15th but I was too busy with school, so instead I would go celebrate by going out with family in the area and the hubby for Chinese food, my mom's favorite (don't even try to ask her to try her dish, nope, no sharing for this lady). But last year, I was finally DONE with school so I innocently asked my husband if we could have an October 15th Party = this....

Guess who made this - not me! The husband! 

I loveeee LEAVES!

This year, now that we have moved into a house, I have made no exception. Yes, I may be racing a half marathon the next day, but it is October 15th people and I intend to party like it is 1999 (did I really just say that...sorry).  So Saturday night we have 35 of our closest friends coming to celebrate the best day of the year (clearly) and I can't wait, bring it on.  The house is decorated, the pie is in the oven (ok not really, but we will be having ice cream cake), and pumpkin carving is underway, so let's hear if for October 15th! Bring it on :) :)

Happy October 15th!  Anyone have their own holiday? Would you like to adopt this one?  It is totally open to all to celebrate :)

Happy Fall Friday & First Blogger Award

Its that time again, Fall Friday!!!  I thought I would make this Fall Friday a combination with the Blogger Award I just received.  Check this out

It is my first blogger award ever!!!  Thanks Lizzy!! And the deal with this award is you have to tell three things about yourself and then pass on to five other bloggers.  So I am going to do it Fall style - what other way is there really?!?  So without further ado:

1) I love Fall.  Duh?!? And why?!?  Well so many reasons but largely because of the LEAVES!  It is just miraculous watching these leaves change.  This past weekend Aaron and I made our yearly trip up to the White Mountains to see the leaves.  I am like a kid on Christmas when we go up there, between squealling and clapping. I love my leaves!  If you can, I highly recommend going to the White Mountains in NH, there is nothing like it.

I told you, I love love LOVE leaves!!!!  But look at this view....

2)  I possibly have the best Grandparents in the world who came all the way from NJ to come hang out with me for the weekend in Massachusetts and help me decorate my house in full out fall decor (more on this next week but just a little preview).

3) Hmmm...what else? Next week is my October 15th part (more next week) and it is a big fall bash (feel free to come if you are in the area) but I need good fall food recipes.  I am a good cook, but I confess my husband is better than me these days!  Tell me some good recipes for my party please and seriously if you are in the Boston area and want to come, let me know!!!

CHALLLAHH!!

My Nominations

Samantha at Because I Can

Jess at Eat Drink Breathe Sweat

Lesley at Race it Off

Melody at Will Run for Margaritas 

Heidi at RunAroundARoo

Well, Happy Fall Friday to all!!! Let me know, what is everyone up to this weekend?  Good luck to my ladies running - special shout out to the Chicago Runners especially Mary & Tina these ladies rock.  I am doing an 18 mile race this weekend and turing it into 20.  So nervous!! Give me some encouragement and love!! :)

Fall Friday....

Kim Knuff are you out there?  One last chance and then I will be forced to pick another Allied Medal Display winner - eeekkk 

Its that time again, you guessed it Fall Friday!! And it is a pretty exciting one at that because this Friday my grandparents are coming to visit from NJ and apparently my grandfather, better known as Poppa, also loves fall and can't wait to see the leaves.  We are, of course, taking them to the White Mountains because if you want to see leaves, there is no better place to go. Well, maybe the spa that me and grandma, a.k.a. Mammy, will be frequenting post long run on Saturday.  To say I am excited is an understatement.

But for now, lets go back to the last fall activity of the week with this amazing lady.  Last Saturday, after my long run, Aaron and I hoped in the car and headed to Rhode Island to visit Samantha.  Sure, I was exhausted and moving at the speed of light like a turtle, but I was not going to pass up a trip to visit Sam and her family's farm. Yup, her family owns a farm, how cool is that?!?

Even better, the farm has a corn maze. Ever since last year when Aaron and I went to Davis Farmland, I could not help but want to do another corn maze.  And despite the tired legs, in we went.  We took turns taking the lead only to end up at dead ends and jokes.  Sam and I chatted away at rapid fire pace about everything!  It was awesome fall + running friend chit chat = major score!

After some more fun farm times, we headed out to dinner in Providence.  Sooo yummy, I would like to show you pictures but I was way too lazy and tired to get out the camera and gobbled up an awesome flatbread pizza, which was only my second pizza meal of the day by the way ;). After dinner, we headed over to Water Fire.  Water Fire is this art event that occurs in Providence multiple times throughout the summer and early fall where there is essentially fire on water...check it out...

It is hard to tell but this water on fire I promise!

By the time we got home it was 11. I proceeded to pass out.  Around 3 a.m. I woke up feeling like something was sticking me. Apparently I never got undressed and had just laid down and covered myself in the sheets.  Aaron, exhausted himself, also passed out and never even noticed.  How is that for you? Totally worth it. An awesome, fun filled fall day.

Happy Friday!!! And to all my fellow Jewish bloggers and readers Happy New Year :)

Tell me what is on tap for your weekend? Any fun fall activities or suggestions?

Fall Friday

Happy Fall Everyone!  Today is FINALLY the FIRST day of fall.  I have been waiting forever to write this post because I absolutely love love love fall.  I know other people say they love fall, but I am more obsessed with it than anything.  For some reason, whether it be the wonderful leaves changing colors or Halloween or the cool crisp air, I am always at my happiest come Fall.  There are tons of wonderful activities to do and things to enjoy.  I just can't get enough of it!  In fact, last year I forced Aaron into going on so many leaf "peeping" trips that our gasoline bill took such a rapid spike.  Months later when we were going over bills, we could not figure it out, until we remembered that I dragged us all over New England looking at leaves and having a blast.

Jumping for Joy for fall last season

Yayyyy fall!

Well this fall is not going to be any different.  I am determined to soak it all up between races, October 15th parties (more on that to come), pumpkin carvings, apple cider donuts, leaf trips, mega-mazes, and much much more.  I am almost getting teary eyed thinking of all the fun that awaits me.  I may or may not be obsessed enough to make Fridays permanent "Fall Fridays" but we will see just how much you all can take.

While it was not officially fall last weekend, I could not help but get a head start when Aaron and I were asked to attend "Mom's Day Off" Apple Picking.  Mom's Day Off is this awesome program that a bunch of the fathers at our temple put on where they take the kids for the afternoon to give moms time off.  But the moms did not want to miss apple picking (who can blame them) so they tagged along.  Now I know you are thinking, wait does Steph have kids?  Nope.  But I do happen to partake in all the family friendly activities at our temple - you should see me at Tot Shabbat (the toddler service at our shul), I can't wait to lead it!

 

Too cute, how can you not love fall (especially with compression)?!?

Apple Cider Donuts freshly made at a farm? Yes please!

               

We LOVE fall in our house (note I am on top of a hay pile made for kids to climb....uh yea)

So what is next you ask?  I am going to visit this amazing blogger this weekend and her family's own farm to do the Mega Maze.  How cool is that?!?! But now lets here from you, what cool activities do you have planned for fall? Any suggestions for me of must do fall activities in the NE area? 

Happy Fall Friday!!!!! :)