Five On Friday: It's Fall Ya'll

It's officially fall y'all and I'm excited for all that this season has to offer - pumpkin flavored everything, fall decor, football, crockpot cooking, sweaters, apple picking, pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving/painting, mountain "just because" drives, hiking and so much more! Ohhhhh, I can't wait to indulge in ALL things fall!

1. Apple Picking

This year, we headed up to Hendersonville, NC over Labor Day weekend for the Apple Festival (full post later - WAY too many photos) with my family. This is something that I grew up doing with my Papa and Mema and a tradition that I want our girls to enjoy with their Nonnie and Pop, formerly known as nana and papa.

While we were up there, we headed over to Sky Top Orchard for some apple picking. Here are a few pictures that we snapped:

2. Cool Weather Cooking

With the cool air (and nonstop rain), my crockpot has been getting a major workout. And soup is quickly becoming my favorite thing to make in it.

Last week, I made a Sweet Potato, Chicken and Quinoa Soup, using this recipe here. I followed the recipe exactly (which is rare)! It was so good and the family loved it. Soooo....I'll mark this one as a win.

The overall flavoring reminded me of a Chicken Tortilla Soup.

It's pretty, right?!?! Now go try it.....I promise that you won't regret it!!!


3. Hiking

Our newest hobby is hiking. It's a perfect family activity and is either free or a very small park entrance fee. It gets the girls out of the house for some fresh air and to burn off some energy and John and I get some exercise in. We typically hike about 1.5 miles at a time and it is amazing what EK's little legs can do! Hiking is right up her alley with her love of sticks, leaves, rocks and dirt!

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Hiking can also really wear a girl out! Sweet baby, OB!

4. Front Porch Decorating

Ya'll how cute is my friend's (and fellow blogger at Pinterest Dreams) front porch. Just stop....it's too good! She has definitely inspired me to get into high gear and decorate ours this weekend. If we lived closer, I would insist that she come over for a fall decorating session. I just love everything she did (and may steal, I mean borrow, some of her ideas).

Be sure to stop by her blog and check out all of the pictures!

5. Giveaway

And lastly, don't forget to enter my $100 RugsUSA gift card giveaway. Just go here to enter! The winner will be announced next Friday!

 a. liz adventures, carolina charm, hello! happiness and the good life blog)