Thrifty Thursday: Autumn Delights

Halloween costumes, falling leaves, tricks and treats. October was filled with traditional joys and new-found pleasures.

Recently we read the first book in the Harry Potter series together. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and have been waving around pencil wands and chanting spells ever since. So it came as no surprise when the oldest three decided to dress as Harry, Ron and Hermoine for Halloween. (We borrowed Harry's costume from a former neighbor - Thanks! Mr. Weasley's uniform came from mom's closet, and Miss Granger's was a graduation robe from the thrift store.) They were all tickled to be wearing their Sunday clothes underneath their robes - especially Hermoine who had to borrow her brother's white shirt and tie!

This little one's costume came into being after inspiration struck upon seeing her striped stockings. She thought it was strange to have Mama draw on her face with pencils, but she cooperated anyway. And what a doll she was! Wrapping her arms around the pumpkin like that was not staged. Totally her idea. She's a natural cutie-pie.

We were introduced to a quaint country pumpkin patch just a little ways away. Rowley's Red Barn feature's a bumpy tractor ride through beautiful apple orchards to a pumpkin patch full of fun activities. 2 gigantic slides, a sand box, race track and crate maze provided hours of fun. Our group had a blast sliding, digging, pedaling and running. One word of caution, however. We would have stayed longer had it not been so frightfully windy and cold. Be sure you bundle up if you go!

We had great fun decorating pumpkins this year, too.

And Jaker's is another wonderful place to celebrate Fall. Giant corn boxes, hayrides and a petting zoo. But wanna know the best thing about this joint? It's free! Can't get thriftier than that, now can you?

Fall is fading fast. I can't say I'm exactly looking forward to the Winter, but hopefully these memories will keep us warm and content through the long, cold months ahead.

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