IT’S FALL Y’ALL!

It’s officially that time of the year again. Leaves are beginning to change, nights are getting colder, and pumpkin spice lattes are back on the Starbucks menu- IT’S FALL Y’ALL! If you’re anything like me and fall is your favorite time of year, you’re in luck. During the fall, not only do the trees turn into beautiful pieces of art, but a whole new variety of seasonal activities surface. There are so many fun things to do in the fall that I can’t name them all, but here are some of my favorites...

Go to a Pumpkin Patch: Here in Athens, we’re lucky enough to have a pumpkin patch not too far from campus. Libby’s pumpkin patch is about a 20-minute drive from campus and is filled with fall activities. While you’re there, you can pick out a pumpkin, go on a hayride, slide down one of the giant slides, take photos with the props, and try out a variety of seasonal foods and drinks. The pumpkin patch is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of October from 11AM- 5PM, and masks are required at all times.

Carve Pumpkins: You can’t have a successful fall season without carving a pumpkin. At Kroger, Walmart, and Libby’s pumpkin patch, you can find a variety of pumpkins to pick out. Once you’ve found the one for you, get a carving kit and dig in! This is a cheap and creative way to get into the fall spirit. Also, when you’re finished, you’ll have some handmade decorations to spice up your place!

Make Caramel Apples: Caramel apples are a great fall treat. To start off, head to the store and pick out a bag of apples. Granny Smiths are my favorite, but you can get any kind that looks good. Next, grab a bag of caramels. I usually use Werther’s, but again, you can get whatever looks best to you. Lastly, you will need to get heavy cream. Once you have all your ingredients, you can get toppings, which are optional. Some toppings include M&M’s, crushed Oreos, sprinkles, coconut chips and nuts.

To start, place the unwrapped caramels into a bowl, and pour 3 Tbsp of heavy cream into it. Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Keep repeating this until the caramel forms into a liquid. Once this is done, you’re all set to dip your apples into the caramel and add toppings. Once you’ve done this, sit them in the fridge for around 30 minutes, and then you’re done! This is a fun and delicious way to spend one of your fall nights!

Whether you like the fall or not, it’s important to take mental breaks and spend some time in activities outside of school. Now is the time that most of us have exams and extra homework, so taking time for yourself is crucial. Make time to relax your brain and reset if you need to. We are almost halfway through the semester, so keep working hard and treat yourself with a pumpkin spice latte. HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!!!!

Written By: Grace Graff