Today, I’m helping my For the Love launch team ladies usher in October with favorite fall traditions in our #FridayFive linkup.  I’m excited to be back in Texas this week, albeit missing the breezy weather, after a weekend away with my hubby in Boston.

Fall Traditions

Pigskin

What’s fall without football? I mean, really.

No, I’m not talking about the NFL.  I’m talking about high school football and Texas Aggie football, just to be clear, and all of the camaraderie and traditions that go along with these games, even those high school Homecoming monstrosities we call mums.

And speaking of Homecoming, I just have to brag on my own high school for a minute.  Last month, the Dripping Springs High School student body elected a Homecoming queen and king who are truly worthy of admiration–seniors Bailey Kay Huston, who was born with Spina Bifida, and Brandon Neffendorf, who was born with Cerebral Palsy.

The drill team organized to elect Bailey while she was in the hospital, dealing with a complication of her birth defect. Bailey’s humble and excited response when they called her name on Homecoming night? “Oh my God, I do not deserve this!”

Pumpkins

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–I love all things pumpkin.

Roasted pumpkin seeds, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, homemade pumpkin bread, Trader Joe’s pumpkin butter. Oh, the yummy-ness.

And then, of course, there are photo ops with the littles in the pumpkin patch, pumpkin-inspired autumn decor, gooey pumpkin carving fun and candles in front porch jack-o-lanterns on Halloween night. This is the essence of fall–that plump, orange, American squash, the star of a plentiful harvest.

Pocus

I have watched Walt Disney’s Hocus Pocus starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson sisters, witches who’ve returned to haunt modern Salem, every October for as long as I can remember. It is my most favorite Halloween tradition–full of adventure, comedy and whimsy.  Last year, I showed it to my girls for the first time.

I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine. – Winifred Sanderson

Purple

Each fall, Team Dixie participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in memory of my mom and in honor of her October birthday.  This year, we’ve already raised over $1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas chapter with profits from the sale of our special edition purple #texasstrong shirts.

And, no, we’re not ignoring Pinktober. In fact, with the help of my lovely and brave friend, Shoni, I’m launching pink #texasstrong shirts benefiting the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, who provide invaluable support to cancer patients and caregivers in central Texas.

Pilgrims

I’m talking about the Mayflower, here, folks. Good old Thanksgiving.  A cornucopia of gratitude and gathering and gluttony.

Of course, our November holiday isn’t really about pumpkin pie, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s about family and friends coming together to celebrate blessings, like our spunky little turkey who turns two next month!

What are your favorite fall traditions?

Let me know in the comments.

Want more traditions? Check out our linkup here.