picnic – Lora Knows Home

Summer is a great time to take a vacation, but the majority of us can’t be gone for three months. Here are half a dozen ideas of things to do at home that will make time at home fun!

Have a Backyard Picnic

Picnics don’t have to be elaborate or have an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board. You can prepare whatever meal or snack you like and simply take it outside. Lay out some blankets and pillows in the backyard to create a comfy spot for you and your loved ones. You can even have a late-night picnic and spend some time stargazing.

Read a Book or Two

Summer is the perfect time to read a book you’ve had sitting around – why not pour a glass of your favorite beverage and sit in your comfy outdoor chair and enjoy some quiet time. My Mom always told me – “You can be any one, any where, and at any time in history in a book”. Why not travel through the pages while being at home?

Try New Recipes

Between TikTok and Instagram, new recipes are being shared daily. Look for something new that looks yummy and get the freshest ingredients from your local produce stand or farmers market.

Do a Craft

Do you have a Pinterest account? If you do, I bet you have some DIY projects you’ve been meaning to do and just haven’t done. Crating can be a fun, productive way to spend some summer hours. You can even share this time with loved ones and see what they can create too.

Build a Fort and have a Movie Marathon

Who doesn’t love a fort? Who doesn’t love a movie? Mix them together and it can be a fun filled evening! Get out those sheets, throw pillows and whatever else you want to use to create your one of a kind fort movie theater. I always think twinkle lights add the finishing touch. Don’t forget the popcorn!

No matter what you do to fill the summer hours, I hope you enjoy your time.

The weather isn’t screaming Fall here in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We have had unseasonably warm days in the 70s and 80s. I’m hopeful for some cooler days in the near future that will peak in the low 50s, aka sweater weather.

Even though it’s warm outside there are fun fall activities to be done and enjoyed with family and friends. Here are some I think would be great – share what you like to do in the comments below.

Take a Hayride

As part of the pumpkin-picking experience, many farms offer hayrides that take you to their respective pumpkin patches. Many also have their own corn maze, which makes for great fun during your visit.

Visit an Apple Orchard

Many apple farms provide not only apple picking but also a variety of other activities. Some also have markets that sell jams, cider donuts, and other homemade baked goods. To finish off your day of fun, set aside some apples from your adventure and make caramel apples when you get home.

Hike or Bike with a Picnic

Autumn weather is ideal for outdoor activities, so connect with nature by hiking or biking through a park—ideally where foliage is in full bloom. Pack a picnic lunch, and just enjoy the beauty around you.

Stargazing

Bundle up with your favorite sweater and blanket, head to an open space to take in the beauty of the stars, and enjoy the peace and quiet that surrounds you. Take a bottle of wine and some charcuterie and make it a date night.

Scenic Drive

Hop in the car and take a ride to behold the wonders of the fall foliage. Turn on your favorite playlist, put the windows down to breathe in the fresh, cool air, and enjoy the view.

Outdoor Games

Gather your friends for a variety of games that everyone can enjoy: a relay race, cornhole, Frisbee, a scavenger hunt, or flag football. You could even organize a pumpkin-carving contest. Top off the night with an outing to your local ice-cream store.

Game Night

A game night is an excellent way to spend quality time. Cozy up with cups of hot cider or hot chocolate, play card games, board games, or charades, or extend the definition of “game” by starting a puzzle that everyone can then work on each day thereafter.

Deliver Treats

Make some pumpkin muffins or candy apples, and deliver them to your local police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, teachers or whoever to thank them.

Donate Time

If you’re looking for ways to give back to your community, volunteer at an animal shelter, a local food bank, soup kitchen, or any other local charity. It’s a meaningful way to spend a fall afternoon.