Set Those Clocks Back and Enjoy the Fall

It’s something that we all beg for on a daily basis—more time. We always moan and complain about how we just don’t have enough of it, how we can’t get anything done, and if we just had a few more hours in the day we would be able to finish what we have to do.

In reality, we are blessed with 24 hours every single day. That’s a lot of hours! Even taking out a chunk to sleep—as well as to commute, work, eat and bathe—we’re still left with several hours to spend with our families and ourselves. And during the fall, we’re blessed with an extra hour when we set our clocks back as the season turns.

Sure, you could spend it tackling that massive to-do list we all have and simply can’t escape from; but it’s still going to be there in the morning. Instead, why not add an hour of something special to your day instead? Here are a few ideas; feel free to add your own.

Start a new tradition. Boy are these fun, and they’re meaningful, too; your kids will remember them long after they’ve grown. Give every night its own theme, or simply set one activity up for each week. Maybe you’ll do a family fitness hour, or a craft night. How about a game night, cook together night, or story night? And it doesn’t have to be nighttime, of course; if your family has split shifts like mine, simply do it whatever time you are together.

Enjoy the season. With our modern conveniences we tend to ignore the seasons—or even dare to complain about them! Instead, why not share our love of the changing weather with our children instead? This fall, try playing in the leaves or making leaf rubbings, enjoying or even making fall harvest foods like yummy squash or apple cider, and taking a drive to see the changing colors of the trees. Don’t forget to read some books and poems about fall together!

Practice slow cooking. Even if it’s for one night each week, try making a homemade, made-from-scratch recipe. Dig out one of your grandmother’s cookbooks and try something, or search for something online. Maybe you could make a homemade soup, or allow the scent of baking bread to fill your home on a cold day. From baked apples to savory quiche, get everyone involved in making something delicious and be proud of your results.