Fall Camping: 7 Frugal Ideas To Get You Started

Ever go camping in the fall?  If you not, you are surely missing out.  Cooler nights….hot cocoa by campfire….crockpot meals….trick or treating….snuggling around the fire….kayaking during foliage season….sharing stories, drinks, & good food….What could more exciting than fall camping!?!?
This week, I’m getting ready for our last weekend of camping for this year.  The weekend isn’t supposed to be a great one, lots of rain, but that won’t deter us from having a grand ol’ time.

Since it’s our last trip of the year, I’ve got a few things I wanted to do, but of course I want to keep it low key, not spending much.  Here are 7 Frugal Ideas to help get you started:
*Plan delicious but easy seasonal comfort dinners such as casseroles, chili, or crock pot meals.  Here are a few suggestions:
~Potato, Corn, & Sausage Bake
~Salsa Verde Chicken for Tacos
~Nachos
~Sweet Potato Chili
*Figure out a few fun games to play ahead of time (the more you incorporate nature the easier it will be.)  Our favorites are:
~glow in the dark tag or hide n seek
~plan a scavenger hunt (make it as easy or difficult as you like)
~make words or sentences from the nature
~make leaf people using only what you can find
*Campground offering trick or treating here are few ideas to keep your cost down:
~use your kids dress up clothing
~buy a pack or two of Halloween makeup @ the dollar store & paint their face
~ask a friend if they have anything you could use
~search around the house & make something from what you find
*Warm desserts will hit the spot on any cool night.  Some of our favorites are:
~banana boats
~shortbread cookie s’mores
~warm apple cake
~cobbler (you can use an assortment of berries or stone fruit)
*Bring extra blankets or throws to snuggle with around the fire or for a chilly night
*Set aside some “mindful minutes” time.  This is what I call the time I use to be mindful & live in the present.  It has a catchy ring to it huh?  Here a few examples to get you started:
~explore mother nature through canoes or kayaks, hiking trails, or a walk around the campground
~take in everything around you: smells, sounds etc…
~disconnect from all electronics for as long as you can during your trip
~meditate
*Decorate inside & out of your camper or tent….making it cozy & fun
~add a few throw pillows & blankets can really liven the space up
~lighting is important: have fun lighting on the outside & practical lighting on the inside
~get kids involved having them come up with a few ways to give the space some life
~make it fun since fun equals cozy….the kids will love it
BONUS:
*Embrace the weather & have fun with it
~if it rains bring boots, extra clothing, & shoes.  Then lets the kids have fun it in running around & playing games
~windy days bring kites for some extra fun in the campground field
~cold days bring extra sweaters or jackets, thermal underwear & undergarments

****If you are interested in some of the above recipes, please let me know and I’ll make a post with the favorite recipes people are interested in. ****

Got any delicious camping recipes?  Or any great camping tips?  Please share them in the comment section below.

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Katherine Corner

Things That Make Me Smile

Today was a hard day at work since the children I worked with didn’t want to  cooperate in any way.  This makes for a long tiring day.  By the time I got home, I needed something to lift my spirits and make me smile.  Here’s a few images that brought a smile to my face.  The last one however made me laugh so of course I had to share.  Sorry if you don’t have my sense of humor & don’t find it as funny as I did…….

Slowing Down This Weekend

“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed” ~Ghandi

The last three weeks have been busier than normal with the start of school, starting a new job (I haven’t worked in about 10 years or so), starting a daisy girl scout troop, & keeping up with my household duties.  Because of this, I made it a point to slow down, relax, & enjoy the little moments that are presented during the long weekend.
It might sound boring to some, but I didn’t have anything planned other than a birthday party.  Instead, I let each day unfold naturally, not knowing what it would hold.  As I write this, my two littlest ones are running around the yard trying to catch a monarch butterfly.  Earlier I started weeding & harvest the garden, which I’ve been meaning to do for a week or so.  As I was walking in with my garden’s bounty, I noticed some pretty Black-Eyed Susan that I just had to photograph.  Thirty minutes later, I strolled inside happy because I got some great images.   There’s something to be said for slowing down.

There’s nothing that can compete with the power of slowing down.  It helps you refocus your energies, embrace the little things that matter the most, & lets you reboot your inner spirit.  I can’t tell you how awesome it was to pick up my camera, play around with the flower & light, and take some shots.  I photograph people for work so I’ve been burnt out with my photography.  I only used my camera once this month, for the 1st day of school, if that tells you anything.
As our long weekend comes to an end, I know we’ll be busy once again.  It’ll be like this till my seasonal job is over.  I knew going back to work would add an extra layer of busyness to our family.  But as long as I make efforts to slow down when I can, it’ll be fine.  I’m not overwhelmed or stressed, in fact it’s quite the opposite.  I’m happy that I found work I love, that I’m still able to be home for the kids after school everyday, & I’m able to contribute in a different way to our family.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of making a conscious effort to slow down.  Whether it’s once a day, once a week, or once a month, just taking the time to breathe, disconnect from technology, being present, & saying no makes a big difference in your life.  And will ensure your able to enjoy the little moments with your family & loved ones that you might otherwise have miss.

“Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ~Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

How’s your holiday weekend going? Have you been able to relax and enjoy yourselves? 

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Create With Joy,