Falling Into Sunday Stealing

I haven't been around today to participate in Sunday Stealing, but the questions looked fun so I'm stealing them to do on my own.

1. Are there any fall-specific hobbies or crafts you enjoy pursuing?  I'm not really much of a crafter in real life, but at work I've somehow fallen into the role of the craft person. I have no idea how when several of my coworkers have tons of talent. Anyway, in that role I am always on the look out for simple fall crafts to do with the consumers. Recent favorites have included a beaded pumpkin and a refrigerator magnet that is made from different sizes of popsicle sticks and cardstock. It looks like a truck with a big pumpkin in the bed.

2. Do you have any favorite fall-inspired recipes you like to cook or bake?  I can't think of anything specific, but I do tend to switch over to making a lot of soups and casseroles. Anything baked tends to be pumpkin flavored. I love the heartier, savory foods that go with cooler weather.

3. Are you a fan of Halloween? If so, what's been your favorite costume?  I don't know that I'm a "fan" but I've always enjoyed making it a fun time for my kids and now my grandchildren. I don't usually dress up except in my role at work. I've been a school bus driver, an activities aide at a nursing home, and now I'm a direct care worker at the county blind association...jobs that mix well with celebrating the holidays. At my current job there is a HUGE Halloween party with a talent show, trick or treating, food, and dancing. I have a very good costume this year and can't wait to wear it. I'm dressing as Winifred Sanderson, the main witch from the movie Hocus Pocus. Two of my coworkers are dressing as her sisters. 

4.  Do you have any childhood memories related to the autumn season? Oh yes, so many! Jumping in leaves, bonfires, hunting season, trick-or-treating, football games, pumpkin farms, watching the Wizard of Oz on Thanksgiving weekend, Macy's parade.... As the saying goes, October is my favorite color!

5.  What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy during the autumn months?  Going to festivals, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. Taking walks in the leaves. Huddling around a bonfire. Going to a football game.

6. Do you look forward to 'sweata weatha'? What is your favorite go-to outfit for Fall? When I was younger I was definitely a sweater girl. When I got married I probably brought about 40 sweaters with me...and parted with them soon after because we moved to Florida. I don't wear as many sweaters these days, but I do look forward to wearing cold weather clothing. There's so much cute stuff! My go-to look is jeans, a long sleeve pull-over or turtleneck with something layered over it, and a pair of boots.

7. Are you a fan of pumpkin or apple flavored treats or beverages? I do like both, but I definitely like pumpkin more. I just bought pumpkin-spice Frosted Flakes today!

8. Which fall scents do you find most appealing? Pretty much all of them except for burning leaves. Those kick my allergies into overdrive. I also like one scent most people probably don't associate with fall. Concord grapes. We try to spend a weekend in Erie every October and visit all the wineries along the PA/NY border. The area is one of the largest producers of Concord grapes and if you hit the right time the smell of all those ripe grapes is AMAZING!

9. Do you like to visit apple orchards or pumpkin patches or corn mazes? I like all of them.

10. Have you ever participated in or attended a fall festival or harvest fair?  Yes, the next little town over from us has a huge 3-day festival every October. I've been going since I was a kid. There are hundreds of crafters, all types of musicians, sidewalk sales, so much food, and live re-enactments at the fort the festival is named for.

11. What's your favorite thing about autumn? I can't choose one thing. I love allllll of it!

12. Are you more of a cider or hot chocolate person when it comes to fall beverages? Both are good, but...well...chocolate.

13. What's your ideal way to spend a crisp autumn evening? Going to a football game or festival...something with lots of people who are just as excited about fall as I am.

14. Do you like to dress up for Halloween? What's your favorite costume or what costume do you plan for this year? Do you like to make your own costume?  Oops, I answered this one in an earlier question.

15. Are you a football fan? What's your favorite team? I do like football. I watch the Steelers and when it comes to college football I root for Oklahoma. Go Sooners!