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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

All things Fall! ·

My FALL Bucket List!


Happy Thursday, friends!

Today, I’m sharing my first official FALL BUCKET LIST.

Because I love fall, and I love lists.

I’m going to share a few things I certainly want to make sure I do this season, and then I hope you do too!  Over the years, as my kids have grown, my favorite fall “things” have changed, but here are some that I certainly want to do this season.  I mean, some of these are ridiculously silly, some cost money, some are free, but they all bring me joy that I can only find during fall time.

In yesterday’s post, we all shared about our time and how incredibly valuable it is (you only get a certain amount and you can never make more), and well, I don’t want to regret not making the most of my “fall time” this season.  I look forward to it all year long, I better make it count!

Below you’ll find my list, and then please, please share yours in the comment section too!

Here we go…

#1: VISIT OUR DOWNTOWN AREA OFTEN

Downtown McKinney oozes charm and character year around, but during the fall season, it SHINES!  I want to hit “all the things”.  I want to go to Oktoberfest. I want to eat meals outside at The Yard.  I want to visit Cadillac Pizza Pub when all of their Halloween decorations are up.  I want to get coffee and walk around while the stores have pumpkins on their stoops, I just want to soak in my town’s festive ambiance.

#2: HAVE A FALL DAY WITH MY MOM AND GRANDMOTHER

I love that I still have a grandmother who is up for fun.  How crazy blessed am I?!  I want to do something “fall” with her and my mom this season.

#3: MAKE S’MORES OUTSIDE

My husband + my kids+ marshmallows+ peanut butter cups (way better than plain old Hershey’s) + our fire pit.  Yes, please.

#4: TAKE A FEW MINUTES A FEW AFTERNOONS TO ‘SOAK UP THE FALL’ BY MYSELF

Listen, it is crazy how energized and motivated I get after 20 minutes of sipping coffee and looking at pumpkins.  This season, I want to get up from my desk more often and just go out for a bit to soak in a little fall.  A stroll through Hobby Lobby, my grocery store’s little boutique, the pumpkin section in front of the market…I don’t have to buy anything, I just want to savor it.

#5: WALK OUTSIDE EVERY MORNING

Listen, the weather in Texas this summer has been unseasonably mild.  I’m not sure what the Lord has been up to, but goodness, I’ve been grateful for the very few and far between 100 degree days.  Our mornings are already turning the corner into downright pleasant which I LOVE.  This fall, my goal is to walk every single day.  I *typically* walk most days, but this fall, I want to walk every day.

#6: MAKE PUMPKIN MUFFINS.  A LOT.

PUMPKIN MUFFINS are my favorite.  My family loves them too. I should constantly have them in my pantry this fall.

#7: EAT DINNERS ON THE PATIO

We love eating dinner on the patio!  This fall, I want as many meals as possible to be outside.

#8: GO SOMEWHERE THAT FEELS LIKE “FALL”

Well, I wish we were going back to Newport, RI this year (last year’s trip was amazing!), but alas, we are not.  That being said, my goal is to get myself somewhere “fall” this season.

#9: HOST A LITTLE SOMETHING

I haven’t decided yet what this means.  Maybe my girlfriends?  Maybe couples? Maybe some of Kensington’s friends?  I’m not sure, but I want to have people over this fall for a cozy evening.

#10: CREATE A FAUX-HALLOWEEN

For the third year in a row, we have football on Halloween night.  Sigh.  That darn Leap Year in 2024 really messed things up. Halloween was on Tuesday when Smith was in the 8th grade (which is when middle school plays football in Texas) and then Leap Year pushed Halloween to Thursday last year (when freshman play) and that makes Halloween on a Friday this year (when varsity plays).  Urg.  What does this mama not love?  Three Halloweens in a row where her family isn’t all at home.  Needless to say, the Shull six need to create some sort of faux-Halloween this year because just in case you weren’t counting…NEXT YEAR IS OUR LAST YEAR ALL HERE TOGETHER.  (Insert me quietly sobbing that my babies are all growing up too fast.)

#11: GO TO THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

As a native Texan, this is a must!  I just need the weather to cooperate the day we go.

#12: SPEND A SATURDAY AFTERNOON WATCHING COLLEGE FOOTBALL

I would love one very relaxing Saturday of just being lazy and watching college football.  I feel like there is always *something* on a Saturday, but this fall, I would love for one that only involved watching football.  No chores.  No errands.  Just enjoying the TV.

#13: HAVE JACK-O-LANTERN CARVING NIGHT 

I love, love, love carving jack-o-lanterns!  It’s kind of chaotic and messy and people get impatient, but I love this night.  It’s for sure on my bucket list.

#14: WATCH A FEW HALLMARK FALL MOVIES

I always forget to watch the fall ones.  I’m not sure why because they’re absolutely ADORABLE!  Watching more is on my list this season.  If you have any specific recs, please pass them on!

#15: MAKE AT LEAST ONE NEW SAVORY DINNER WITH PUMPKIN

I love pumpkin in savory recipes!  I plan to make at least one (or more!) this season.

#16: GO TO TRADER JOE’S ONCE A WEEK

This is my absolute favorite time of year to stroll through Trader Joe’s.  I don’t want to miss one seasonally delicious thing.  My plan is to go every week.

Alrighty, don’t forget, tomorrow is the last day to enter to win…

…MY FAVORITE DAY GIVEAWAY!

One lucky winner will be receiving all of these fun fall goodies: ALL-CLAD SLOW COOKER, IPHONE CASE, FALL POPSOCKET, HALLOWEEN SWIG 22oz TUMBLER, HALLOWEEN SLIPPERS, BAREFOOT DREAMS THROW, and PUMPKIN WAFFLE IRON.

All of the details and to enter to win, HEAD TO MONDAY’S BLOG POST.

It’s your turn!  What is on your FALL BUCKET LIST?!  Please comment and share!

Have the best best Thursday, friends! xx

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Comments

  2. Laura says

    Not a bucket list item, but how do you keep your pumpkins from rotting when you buy them early? I do the clear spray but often will have to buy them twice 😩

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      The ones that get a lot of direct sunlight, do tend to rot, and I’ll replace them. Those in the shadier areas, almost always make it the entire time.

  3. Jami Romano says

    Love your list ◡̈ I’m not a “napper”, but for some reason I love an afternoon fall nap! Getting outside more is definitely a goal of mine as well!!! 🎃

  9. Amy H says

    I love this post so much!! Fall is my favorite! It feels so refreshing!! Many of these things we will be doing also! We homeschool, so yesterday we took school to the park and spent the day soaking up the beautiful weather while doing math😀

    • Hope says

      When the kids were still home we always spent fall break at Hanging Rock State Park here in NC in a cute cabin. We had bonfires, hiked, and just enjoyed the perfect fall weather. This year hubby and I are going to VA and riding an old steam engine through the mountains to enjoy the foliage, visiting an orchard and a winery.

      • Heather S says

        Oh my gosh, I love this so much! Danbury is my hometown! Hanging Rock and the Sauras all absolutely shine this time of year.

  10. Jana Domyslawski says

    I am looking forward to wearing my Ugg slides! I can’t wait to take a blanket on my deck to read a book! I love Fall too!

  15. Carrie Martens says

    I love this time of year here in Chicago too. Hoping my Cubs get to play October ball. Also looking forward to our local Scarcrow Fest. We are also heading to Disney World for the Not So Scary Halloween Party with my entire family this fall and I am so excited about that! Happy Fall everyone!

  16. Alison says

    – Pumpkin patch
    – Bonfire
    – Monster brownies and movie night
    – Take a walk to find leaves and then do a craft with them
    – Carve and paint pumpkins
    – Make a leaf pile for jumping
    – Make Shay’s new savory pumpkin dish!

  17. Amy H says

    Hi Shay, I love your Fall bucket list. Thank you for the inspiration for my own list! Also I need to make those pumpkin muffins asap.

  18. Melissa Terry says

    Love this list! We have football on Halloween too so I’m trying to think of a creative way to celebrate with the littles beforehand and leave candy on the porch for our neighbors. Happy Fall!

  19. Teri says

    Love the seasonal Hallmark movies! A few favorite fall ones are: Autumn Dreams, Falling for Vermont, October Kiss, Growing the Big One, Harvest Moon, A Harvest Wedding, Harvest Love, Love, of Course and Pumpkin Pie Wars. Happy fall watching!

    • Paula R. says

      Shay… you MUST add more fall hallmark movie watching this season. They are so festive and comforting and soothe the soul.

      TERI… we are kindred fall spirits!
      I was going to suggest those exact fall hallmark movies.

      My favorites are…
      Love, Of Course
      Love, Fall and Order
      Under the autumn moon
      Roadhouse Romance
      October Kiss-watch close to Halloween

      On the first day in Autumn… I pull out the “Autumn in New York” soundtrack CD from the movie. It is so moody and melancholy and beautiful. When my husband comes down for dinner, the CD is playing and an autumnal simmer pot is simmering on the stove and he says… “it must be fall… there is that music again,” ha!

      Shay-I’ve taken a cue from you and already reserved 5-6 “fall themed” fiction novels from the library so I’m ready to go this autumn.

      I’m loving all the fall content… and by the numbers of commenters… everyone else is soaking it all up-too!

  20. Riley says

    I LOVE fall ~ Thanks for sharing these fun ideas!!
    We plan to do read some Fall books, have an indoor campout with a Fall theme, make pumpkin bread, enjoy a local pumpkin patch and corn maze, watch some Halloween favorites, make stovetop potpourri…to name a few!
    Happy Fall!! 🧡 🎃

  21. Lisa N says

    Love your list and you’re right we all need to make the most of it! I’m a homebody but love to get out and about in the Fall…. Everyone, myself included seems friendlier in good weather😊
    Also, my daughter created and hosts our small town’s Farmers Markets quarterly. There will be a regular Fall one and then this year she is introducing a Jr Farmers Market that will be student vendors only, ages up to 18. Really excited for this to be successful and encouraging to creative kids!🍂

  23. Michelle says

    I love this! I just added some of these to my list! Fall is my favorite!! I go to downtown McKinney every Fall when I come in for Texas/OU weekend. I always keep an eye out for the Shulls!

  24. Twila Frichtl says

    Your love for fall is infectious and your list is my list! My kids are grownup (thankfully all in same city), and now I can do all the things with my grandBabies! Instead of football my 5 yr old grandson starts soccer so Saturdays will be at his soccer games…first game this weekend! Life is so grand!! 🍂🎃🎃🎃🍁

  25. Dana P says

    How cute are those graphics?! We have been working on new graphics lately. Do you use a certain site to make yours? Also, the spice cake with canned pumpkin is genius!!

  26. Amy Rae D. says

    I love your post.

    Some of my favorite fall movies on Hallmark: Falling for You, Roadhouse Romance, Sweet Autumn, Falling for Vermont, Pumpkin Pie Wars, Autumn at Apple Hill.

  27. Christy says

    Love it!!! This will be our first year without all our peeps at home on Halloween! My oldest is on the high school drill team and will be at the varsity game! How do you handle Halloween/trick or treating for the younger ones?

  28. Debbie says

    Walk every day in this beautiful weather.
    Eat pumpkin as much as possible.
    Celebrate my bday every day this month.😂

  29. Kerry says

    House decorated-check; Fall candles burning-check; Fall “tees” washed and ready-check! Not to create a list of fun things to do with my college kid. Need to figure that out ASAP!

  31. Paula Hobbs says

    I love this list!!!!!!!! Sounds so FALL and COZY!!!!!! I can’t wait to go along on some of your adventures!!!

  33. Michelle says

    Me: patiently waiting for the nursery by my house to get their pumpkins in – I feel like the old Mervyn’s commercial with the lady pressing her face to the door saying “Open, Open, Open!” LOL

  34. Kim says

    I plan to do a winery train tour here in the Northeast to see all the fall leaves in their beautiful colors, and I look forward to wearing all of the boots and sweaters!

  35. Mandie Howard says

    We homeschool and our homeschool group does a Not back to school river float. Our huge group ties up, floats the river in tubes, and then has a picnic potluck at a pavilion. It is such a fun day! It reminds me of fall even though it is kinda summery!

    We also always go apple picking in the fall! Such a must!

  36. Allie Pacek says

    Love these!! I feel like Trader Joe’s is an event for me. It’s about 30 minutes away. But it’s worth it! Love going apple picking. And we went peach picking last week. We live near a lot of farms. I think I want to go to at least 2 new farms this year, even just to go to the market. When we have a slow weekend we like getting outside however that’s possible. And my daughter is learning to ride her bike. So lots of bike “riding”. We also have a trip planned to Hudson valley, NY that will feel like fall for sure!

  37. Beth Valenta says

    Oh how I love Fall and I love a list! My bestie and I made our list a few weeks ago:
    Pumpkins from produce stand, Fall open house shop, Busch Gardens Octoberfest, walks in various place, PSL, but by far our favorite is my Fall Ladies Party. I do it around a fire outside with blankets, etc and serve individual charcuterie cups and your sausage pumpkin soup (everyone’s favorite), we then do a fun game LCR but with candy bars and have a fall gift steal game and I always do some kind of fall tasting or pairings with fun fall beers.

  40. Leslie Maxey says

    I love that fall and college football season go hand in hand!!! Add in the chilly mornings! Heaven! But I cant wait until it “smells like Halloween” as my daughter says!

  41. Kristy says

    Morning walks. Lots of pumpkin muffins. Sit outside to read, needlepoint, look at a magazine, hopefully with a latte. Go somewhere fall, we have a quick weekend planned but then we got the lacrosse schedule, sigh. Watch or have on a lot of college football. Also, way to go Smith playing Varsity as a sophomore!

  42. Judy Hightower says

    Love Trader Joe’s! I live in Sherman so it isn’t too far to McKinney! They have such wonderful items!

  46. kristen says

    I LOVE your fall list, Shay! I’m going to incorporate some of your ideas into my list as well! Happy FALL!

  47. Leslie says

    College football is back!! Saturdays at the USC games or watching on tv. Doesn’t get any better. 💛❤️🏈

  48. MelanieL says

    Great list! I’m so excited, we’re taking a road trip in late October to New River Gorge N.P. and Shenandoah N.P.! I’m also really excited to decorate my new front porch (same house, new, extended porch!) for fall with mums, fairy tale pumpkins, lanterns, and new pillows for the chairs. More pumpkin muffins and trips to TJ’s are NEVER a bad idea! Happy Fall!!

  49. Alyssa J says

    The weather’s cooperation has been a fun entrance into this fall in Texas. I’m looking forward to pumpkin bread pudding, in addition to all the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

  50. Faith says

    On my to list this weekend is make sausage balls and pumpkin muffins. I am going to Trader Joe’s today since I will be in that area and can’t wait!

    I want to sit on my back porch more and enjoy the cooler temps. And get back into walking more now that I won’t die from the heat/humidity.

    This year we are going to an Autumn Leaves Festival in Mt Airy, NC (this is “Mayberry” from Andy Griffith show). We’ve never been and it is only 90 minutes away if that. I’m so excited! Bonus will be if our 3 daughters who are young adults can go.

  52. Julie says

    We also love to listen to the audiobook version of Harry Potter sometimes all year, but especially from now until Christmas when we drive around.

    You made a great list! ❤️🧡💛🍁

  53. Kelly Sites says

    As you know, fall in Michigan is outstanding. So I want to go enjoy color tours and look at the leaves and hike. We love to kayak down the river and look at all the amazing colors. And take walks daily in this glorious crisp weather.

    I also love to sit on my deck and look out into the woods behind our home. It’s so peaceful and I love reading and doing Bible study out there.

  54. Lori Klein says

    The pumpkin muffin recipe looks so good and easy 😊 I love fall too! I love putting out my fall candles and decorating my house for fall 🍁

  56. Lisa G says

    Love pumpkin muffins and scones. But also love caramel apple oat cookies this time of year… with a cup of coffee strolling through an outdoor art/craft market. Ahh! Perfection

  57. Faith says

    I smiled through this whole post! What were your top bucket list items with little ones? (Mama of four under four over here)

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh goodness, the pumpkin patch, lunches at the park, visiting the zoo…all the sweet things like that. I certainly miss it all.

  58. Kristin S says

    Man, your downtown McKinney really is a dream. I love visiting almost every time in in the Dallas area.

    As for my bucket list? I just love to get outside in the fall as much as possible.

  60. Heather S says

    YES to this entire list! I also have to add, I have to do a Gilmore girls rewatch this time of year. Just an episode or two every evening makes it feel so much more fall like.

    We also hit up a patch or two and an or hatches in September every year for outdoor fall decor. Hoping the weather stays nice here in the Northeast (today is perfect t patch weather!) and we can dress seasonally appropriate- gimme all the hunter boots and scarves….even if they aren’t “in” anymore.

  61. Linda Lipinski says

    For something autumn-mie (not sure if that is such a word), I would suggest Kennebunkport, Maine. My husband and I were there last week and loved it.

  62. Kelly Westbrook says

    Just saw something I want to try this fall-Walking S’mores, just like walking tacos, but s’mores instead! Can’t wait to try it!

  63. samantha says

    Love the list! Definitely a good idea to eat outside more…usually this seems like a summer thing but I love the fall idea! Must watch Fall Hallmark movies: Love, Fall and Order and October Kiss. Enjoy!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I just looked but it’s not on Amazon any longer. I’m so sad because it was such a bargain too!

  65. Steph says

    Sit on my deck and watch the leaves fall from the trees. Light my fall candles. Take a hike and listen to the leaves crunch under our feet.

  66. Shannon Proctor says

    I am heading to Vermont at the beginning of October! Looking forward to the leaves and all the fall things!

  68. Andrea M Johnson says

    Here in Virginia we had a very fall like Labor Day Weekend. Now this weekend will be more summer like, but I am getting all my decor out slowly but surely making the house feel like fall so next week when it feels like Fall again I’ll be ready. Ahhhhh fall in Northern VA never know whatcha gonna get!

  70. Julie says

    I love your entire post about fall! I was out this morning looking for pumpkins already to put a stack of them on my porch. I didn’t find them yet, but I will probably in a couple weeks. The mums are out already! I’ll be stopping in at Trader Joe’s tomorrow! 🍁🍂

  71. K.K. says

    How is next year the last year for all of you to be there?! Wow, I have been reading your blog for so many years, and I’ve had plenty of time to realize this. BUT it’s just wild! I know it will be a new chapter, but how cool that your oldest will do a new thing too. I hope she gets to come back to share in a lot of traditions despite her college life (if that’s her plan)!! 🙂

  72. Molly Bretl says

    Definitely want to check out mckinney more this fall! New to the area (even though we were only over in frisco) but feels like a whole new world!

  73. Laura Holmes says

    Apple picking and our local pumpkin patch are top of my list! And, football of course with homemade chili!

  74. Valerie A says

    It was 66 degrees this morning here in the Houston burb we call home. Our dog and I really enjoyed the hint of Fall in the air when we took our walk.

  75. Kacey says

    Fall is the absolute BEST!!! I’m already planning for all of the apple and pumpkin picking which always results in delicious baked goods. Fall fairs are also a favorite over here! S’mores with reeses thins (dark chocolate) are *chefs kiss* If you’re looking for a Fall getaway I highly recommend the lakes & white mtn. regions in NH!

  76. Robyn says

    Someday I am going to be in Texas during state fair time. I can only imagine how much fun it is. And, yes…bring on the pumpkin muffins. My favorite!

  77. Lyndsey says

    Hi Shay! Have you heard of Geometry towels? I just placed my first order of the most festive Fall towels for our kitchen. You would definitely love them if you’re not familiar. (I do want to note how genuinely thankful I am to be able to spend money on festive hand towels, they’re such a treat but will truly bring me joy!)

  78. Traci Rivard says

    Thanks for your post! I also love fall!! You gave me some great ideas of a fall bucket list!

  79. Lindsay Gannon says

    Fall is my favorite! Loving the Bucket List! We have a family fun fall day where we try to get all the fun things in in one day.

  82. Amber Vance says

    Such a fun list! I can’t wait to make all of the fall soups and pumpkin bread. And I’m making your applesauce this weekend.

  85. Kim says

    I’m most excited to take my grandkids to the pumpkin patch, we have a brand new granddaughter so can’t wait to see her first pumpkin patch pics! I love your idea to do something Fall with your mom and grandmother, please share what you do. Enjoy!

  86. Reba says

    I’d love to go to an apple orchard a few hours away from me and get an apple cider slushie & fresh donuts! I also have a trip to Trader Joe’s on my fall bucket list! My list always includes Gilmore Girls on repeat!

  87. Lindsay says

    Love, love, love fall!!! Apple cider donuts hot from the kitchen, pumpkins, wine tastings, soup and bread, cozy reads, getting out sweaters and slippers, the changing of the leaves in MD!!

  88. Debbie says

    I’m on HRT but have 3 seperate routes for 3 different hormones. I read in your blog that you do one shot a wk for your hormones. Do you mind disclosing what is in the shot you take weekly? If not I completely understand

  89. Yvonne says

    I LOVE fall!! Still very hot where I live in California but didn’t stop me from decorating my house! One thing I like to do during fall is spread fall vibes to my friends. A few live out of state so I like to send them a little fall gift, pumpkin kitchen towel, cozy fall socks or a little gift card for a psl! So fun to spread the fall vibes! 🍁☕️🎃🍂

  91. Kristi McKay says

    We may be taking a fall trip this year, but if not these cooler mornings are so very welcome!

  92. Kaylee F says

    We started making s’mores on the weekends this summer and we are just going to carry that right on into fall! And Reese’s peanut butter cups are the only way to go!

  93. Dana J says

    Looking forward to cooler Fall temps in Texas, cooking some new Fall recipes and adding a few new things to my Fall decor!!

  94. Brooke says

    I typically don’t drink coffee but you have inspired me to find a day that feels like fall and scroll around downtown shops with some sort of iced coffee.

  95. Nikki Merritt says

    Oooh, you just reminded me about a pumpkin sausage pasta recipe that I’ve made before. I’ll have to go search your website for it. Yum!

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