Fall Fun Day

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Two Saturdays ago, my family and I celebrated our 4th Annual Fall Fun Day. What is Fall Fun Day? It’s one of the best days of the year and basically a holiday. I pick a Saturday in mid-October when everyone is free and we pack in all the fall activities we can! This year included the farmer’s market, apple picking, baking, hiking, and had the weather cooperated, a corn maze.

Baking

For me, the festivities began Friday afternoon as soon as my I got done with my monogastric nutrition class. I stopped at the store for a few baking essentials and was soon scurrying around the kitchen making a Chocolate Drizzled Pumpkin Cheesecake for dinner on Saturday night.

Come Saturday morning, I was out of bed at 4 AM because there was still lots to be done in the kitchen. My first task was French pressing a piping hot mug full of Purity Coffee, so I’d have plenty of energy for a long day. I quickly whipped up a loaf of pumpkin bread to keep in the freezer for later in the week and then a batch of Pumpkin Scones with Maple Nutmeg Glaze for breakfast. By 7:30, Daniel and I were heading out the door to Dane County Farmer’s Market.

Farmer’s Market

There are quite a few farmer’s markets in the Madison area, but nothing compares to the Saturday market on the capital square. Vendors line the sidewalks, selling produce, meat, cheese, flowers, honey, maple syrup, herbs, and baked goods. The market opens at 6:15 am and the earlier you can arrive the better. The crowds are lighter and there’s just something about the downtown atmosphere with the crisp air on a misty fall morning as the sun is just coming up.

Daniel and I met up with his mom and my sister around 8 o’clock. We took a couple laps around the Square, stopping by our favorite vendors’ booths. After that, our next stop was Appleberry Farm.

Apple Picking

Even though it’s getting late in the season, we were still able to pick our own Empire and Ida Red Apples. Just a quick PSA for anyone planning to go apple picking: it doesn’t work that well to sit on someone’s shoulders to reach the high ones. Let someone tall grab them or just let them be. There are plenty more within arm’s reach. 🙂 We did actually find a lot of apples despite being told that the trees were pretty picked over. Last night, I decided to use them to make a cranberry apple crisp, so stay tuned for that recipe coming soon!

With our apples and fresh cider, we made a quick stop at my parent’s house. We dropped off our goods from the morning and then everyone plus Macy, the dog, piled in two cars for the short trip up to Devil’s Lake State Park.

Hiking

We first hiked up the East Bluff Trail. It’s a pretty strenuous climb with lots of uneven “stairs” in the rocks. Macy, of course, had absolutely no problem, scaling the rocks like a little mountain goat. I, on the other hand am much less nimble, but I’ve hiked the trail enough times to handle it well.

And even though it hike is difficult, when you see the view from the top, it’s completely worth it. From the colorful bluffs in the distance to the serene lake below, it’s really a breath-taking sight!

Instead of taking the trail down and all the way around the lake, everyone seemed about ready for lunch, so be opted for the direct route back to ground level. After a picnic, Lauren was cold and tired, so she went home with my parents and Macy. Meanwhile, the rest of us took a nice walk along the lake shore.

Dinner

When we arrived back at the house, Lauren and my mom were making a fall inspired charcuterie board. Basically, it’s a big platter of various cheeses, meats, fruits, crackers, and other little snacks. To learn how to make one yourself, check out Lauren’s blog here!

Everything was so delicious, but we had to save room for buffalo stew, homemade bread, and of course pumpkin cheesecake! The plan was to go to the Treinen Farm corn maze that night, but by this time it was cold and rainy. A little further north they were even getting some light snow! So after a long day outside, we decided to stay home, play some games, and just relax.

Overall, I’d have to say that the 4th Annual Fall Fun Day was a success! I hope you all decide to give it a try this year or next!