It is really starting to look like fall in our neck of the woods. The leaves are beginning to change color, the weather is cool and rainy, and the apple pickers are across the road from my house busily gathering in the harvest.
I don’t know about you all, but I hate raking leaves. Absolutely dread it. Captain Cavedweller isn’t much better. We always hope for a wild windstorm to blow our leaves away before we get too ambitious and get them raked and bagged.
What if you could combine a party with getting the leaves raked up out of your yard and that of your neighborhood?
Think about roping, er… I mean inviting, your neighbors to participate in a block leaf raking party. You could be the “host house” that provides the bags and refreshments and then all participating neighbors would go from lawn to lawn raking and bagging leaves. When it was finished, everyone could converge at your home for a fun fall-themed meal.
Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn’t it? You get your leaves raked, you get to spend time with neighbors and you all get to celebrate fall and a nice clean neighborhood.
Keep your refreshments simple – you could make a fall stew with hot bread, green salad and apple crisp for dessert. Sliders are another fun option. If the weather cooperates and you have somewhere to build a bonfire or a firepit, think about roasting wieners and marshmallows.
Send each neighbor home with a “bagged” sugar cookie cut out like a leaf and decorated in fall colors.
The main thing here (besides getting your leaves raked) is to connect with the friends who live around you and enjoy the fall season.
So give it a whirl and let me know how it goes!
She Who Must Rake Her Leaves This Fall
