Category: September

21 Staycation Ideas for Your Labor Day Weekend

The 3-day holiday weekend is here. Millions of people travel during Labor Day weekend. Are you heading out or did you decide to stay home? Don’t worry; you are not alone. Many people decide to spend the long weekend at home. Even if you are staying close to home, there are still plenty of things. The best part, many of these staycation ideas are free or have minimal costs to enjoy.

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If you are looking for inspiration for staying home on Labor Day weekend, check out the following ideas.

  1. Explore Hiking Trails: Get outdoors and enjoy nature. Find a new trail to hike. Hiking is a great activity for the entire family. Grab your camera to take lots of pictures. Make a day of hiking, pack a lunch, and bring lots of water.
  2. Go to the Beach: Pack a picnic and spend an entire day at the beach.
  3. Go to a Local Winery: Many wineries allow free taste testing. Gather your friends, enjoy the sights, and sample different wines.
  4. Host a BBQ: Invite your friends, family, or neighbors over for a holiday BBQ.
  5. Classic Game Night: Dust off your favorite Monopoly or other board game for a fun night of friendly competition. Don’t forget the snacks.
  6. Picnic in the Park: Pack your favorite goodies and head to a local park for an afternoon.
  7. Host a Bonfire Night: Beautiful weather calls for a bonfire night. A chance to sit around a warm fire with family and friends is always a good idea. Don’t forget the S’mores.
  8. Go Stargazing: Pack a blanket, snacks, and your favorite beverage to spend an evening outdoors. Looking at the stars is a great way to spend an evening.
  9. Host a Themed Movie Night: Host a family night or invite friends over. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel movies are just a few of the many superb movies to watch over the 3-day weekend. Add to the fun by ordering pizza, making popcorn, or ice cream sundaes.
  10. Do Crafts for the Holidays: It’s never too early to start holiday crafts. Many stores already have Autumn, Halloween, and Christmas crafting items out. Make a trip to your favorite spot to find everything you need for a crafting day.
  11. Spend Time Reading: How long has that book been setting on the shelf? Labor Day weekend is a great time to snuggle under a cozy blanket and read. If you do not have a new book, reread a favorite.
  12. Go to a Local Sporting Event: Many sporting events are starting over the holiday weekend. Go to a local college football game or watch the game on television with friends and family. Do not forget to tailgate. Delicious food is a major part of any sporting event.
  13. Attend Community Events: Parades, concerts, and other events are generally part of the Labor Day weekend. Many local events or festivals are free which is great for your bank account.
  14. Volunteer: MDA and other organizations use the 3-day to collect funds. Volunteer to help locally. Networking with new people has benefits beyond the weekend.
  15. Make a Homemade Meal: Try a new recipe. Make an entire meal from your recent purchases at your local farmer’s market. Bake a dessert. Make a meal as a family.
  16. Go on a Day Trip: Travel closer to home. Visit sites in the next town over from yours. Or go on a long car ride to see the scenery.
  17. Ride Bike: Get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Before cold weather sets in, go for a long bike ride.
  18. Go Somewhere New: Is there a new cafe, restaurant, or other local business in town? Go check out the establishment. Who knows you may find a new favorite spot. Remember to be patient during the holiday weekend. Many establishments are short staff.
  19. Be a Hometown Tourist: When is the last time you visited your hometown tourist sites? Go to your local park or historical site. Take pictures. Act like a tourist from another area. Have fun.
  20. Declutter and Organize: The holiday season is slowly approaching, spend time organizing your living space. Set up a homework area for your kids. Or reorganize your home office. You can always tackle a major task and clean out the garage.
  21. Feel Free to Do Nothing: There’s no harm in doing absolutely nothing over the Labor Day weekend. Stay in your pajamas for a day, get extra sleep, and just relax.

Have fun! Enjoy time with family and friends. Remember to be safe over the Labor Day weekend!

Journal Writing Prompts for September 2022

September is here! Who is ready for a 3-day weekend for Labor Day, the start of school, football, tailgating, and the first day of Autumn? The cooler days are a wonderful time to snuggle under a blanket, sip hot cocoa, and write in a journal.

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  1. How did August go for you, your family, work, school, and your community? Go into detail about the highs and lows of the month.
  2. What do you hope to achieve or finish in September? Create a list of at least 5 goals for the month.
  3. What do you want to finish by the end of 2022? Have you been working on your year-end list? Why or why not?
  4. Describe 3-day holiday weekends from your childhood. Did you travel? Host a BBQ? Watch a telethon? Donate?
  5. Happy Labor Day! How did your day go? Did you work? Host a BBQ Write about your day.
  6. What is your favorite time of day? Why?
  7. Free write.
  8. Thinking back, what is the most romantic thing someone has done for you? Why does this memory stand out over the others? Is this person still in your life today?
  9. How would you describe yourself to others? List 10 positive attributes. Yes, there are at least 10.
  10. Make a list of your current hobbies. Is there something new you want to try? Or do you want to restart an old one? What is stopping you?
  11. If there is one job you could do for a day, what would you pick? Why?
  12. What did you do today that was just for yourself?
  13. Write a personal review of a book, movie, restaurant, or television show.
  14. What do you want to try? Do you have a bucket list for the autumn season? Make another dream bucket list.
  15. Write down 5 good thoughts about your day or week.
  16. Write about your siblings, cousins, or friends.
  17. What is your biggest fear or concern right now? What steps can you make to alleviate them?
  18. Did you like school as a child? Who was your favorite teacher? Subject? After-school activities?
  19. Write about your best friend from school. Are you still friends today?
  20. What were you doing today at 2 pm?
  21. What excites you most about the Autumn season?
  22. Happy First Day of Autumn! Did you get outdoors? Are the leaves beginning to change in your area? Describe the fall season in your area.
  23. What was your favorite fall activity as a child? Provide details.
  24. Write about a person who brings you the most inspiration.
  25. Write about your feelings about today.
  26. What one thing made you smile today?
  27. What is the most memorable activity you did over the summer?
  28. Are you a day or night person? Why?
  29. What are you looking forward to in October?
  30. Writer’s choice.

Have a great month!

Self-Care Ideas for September 2022

Welcome to September! The days are growing shorter. The nights are bringing cooler temperatures. The chill in the air ushers in the beautiful autumn season. The changes are a perfect time to make a commitment to yourself for better self-care. If you need inspiration, check out the following ideas for self-care in September.  

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  1. Write daily affirmations in a journal.
  2. Make a cup of herbal tea, and sip slowly, while watching the sunset or sunrise.
  3. Try a new hiking trail. Or start hiking on a beginner’s trail. The fall season is a wonderful time to get outdoors.
  4. Read a book outside of your normal genre.
  5. Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your extra day off. If you’re working, come home and enjoy a long warm shower or bubble bath.
  6. Spend a day or afternoon doing nothing, just relax.
  7. Write out your goals for the day, week, month, and the rest of 2022.
  8. Binge-watch a new series.
  9. Go for a nature walk. Don’t forget your camera.
  10. Do crafts. (Autumn and Halloween items are already available.)
  11. Get extra sleep. Take a nap, go to bed early, or sleep in.
  12. Treat yourself to in-home spay day. Apply a face mask, paint your nails, soak your feet, etc.
  13. Go on a virtual tour.
  14. Spend time meditating or praying.
  15. Drink lots of water.
  16. Call an old friend to chat.
  17. Make your favorite recipe or try a new one. Your local farmer’s market is full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  18. Splurge and order takeout from your favorite restaurant.
  19. Watch YouTube videos. Check out gender reveals, marriage proposals, surprise military homecoming, or pets.
  20. Eat breakfast every day.
  21. Turn up the music. Sing along to your favorite tunes or dance.
  22. The 1st Day of Fall! Enjoy the day!
  23. Declutter a room or closet. Or simply clean off the top of your desk.
  24. Find a new food to try, a different type of fruit or candy bar.
  25. Buy yourself flowers.
  26. Make yourself a warm beverage on a cool night.
  27. Unplug from your devices. Go on a social media detox for a day.
  28. Print out your summer photos and make a scrapbook.
  29. Volunteer. Helping others is great motivation.
  30. Practice yoga or other light stretching exercises. (YouTube has numerous beginner videos).

Have fun, relax, take care of yourself, and enjoy September!

Drawing Prompts for September 2022

September is finally here! The month ushers in cooler weather and rainy days. When you cannot get outdoors, embrace your creative side. Drawing is a great creative outlet. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following drawing prompts for September.

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  1. Self-Portrait
  2. Friday Vibes!
  3. Weekend fun!
  4. Celebrations!
  5. Happy Labor Day! Draw an American worker!
  6. Sunset at Beach
  7. Moon & Galaxy
  8. Spaceship, Rocket, or UFO
  9. Flowers
  10. Friends
  11. Family
  12. Favorite Destination
  13. School
  14. Peace
  15. Historical
  16. Buildings
  17. City
  18. Trails
  19. Your Name
  20. Smiles
  21. Food
  22. Happy 1st Day of Fall! Draw an Autumn scene.
  23. Trees & Leaves
  24. Acorns
  25. Scarecrow
  26. Pumpkin Patch
  27. Fall Harvest
  28. Colorful
  29. Fantasy Creature
  30. Artist’s Choice

How to Celebrate Going Back to Hogwarts

Imagine you are eleven years old, did you get your Hogwarts letter? It’s time to go back to Hogwarts. Every year, millions of Harry Potter fans also known as Potterheads recognize September 1st as Back to Hogwarts Day. J.K. Rowling, the creator of the beloved series, said it best, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

 Having fun is the best way to celebrate Back to Hogwarts Day. Whether you celebrate alone, online, or with family and friends, enjoy your journey back to Platform 9 ¾.

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  • Reread the Series: Snuggle under a fuzzy blanket with your favorite Harry Potter book and revisit the Wizarding World. Or use September 1st to start rereading the entire series.
  • Listen: Are you trying to study? Clean house? Or other tasks that keep you from reading? Listen to your favorite Harry Potter book.
  • Watch: Host a movie night. Watch your favorite Harry Potter movie (or all). An impromptu movie night is a perfect way to celebrate going back to Hogwarts. Along with the Harry Potter series, you can watch Fantastic Beasts or the new Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special reunion.
  • Music: Do you have a long commute to school or work? Turn up your favorite Harry Potter soundtrack to pass the time. Or tune out the rest of the world by putting your headphones on and enjoying the sounds of the Wizarding World.
  • Get Crafty: Did you recently view a Wizarding World craft online? Today is the perfect day to let your creative side shine brightly. From potion bottles to ornaments for your Christmas tree, making crafts is a great way to celebrate Back to Hogwarts Day. The best part is you can always watch or listen to Harry Potter as you craft.
  • Food & Beverages: Butterbeer, chocolate frogs, licorice wands, and much more. Creating the food and beverages from the Harry Potter series is one of the best ways to celebrate. Plus, you can always eat and drink these tasty treats while watching the movies.
  • Lego: Pick up a new Harry Potter-themed Lego set for family night. From the Hogwarts Castle to Hagrid’s Hut, each themed Lego set represents a different area in the Wizarding World. Who knows maybe you will end up with an entire room of Harry Potter Lego sets.
  • Online: Meet and chat with other fans in your favorite Harry Potter group.
  • Write: Do you like to write? Write fanfiction. Create your own version of the Wizarding World.

Have fun! Enjoy J.K Rowling’s magnificent series about “The Boy Who Lived.”

Photo Prompts for September

September is here! Are you ready for the 3-day Labor Day weekend, the first day of Autumn, and cooler weather? Bringing many changes to the landscape, fall is the perfect time of year to get outdoors and take pictures. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following photo prompts for September.

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  1. Selfie
  2. Harvest
  3. City Scene
  4. Dirt Roads
  5. Labor Day! American Worker
  6. Down Low
  7. Clouds
  8. Angles
  9. Silence/Stillness
  10. Historic
  11. Pattern
  12. Black and White
  13. Colors
  14. Architectural
  15. Sunrise/Sunset
  16. Body of Water
  17. Up Close
  18. Light
  19. Nature
  20. Pet
  21. End of Summer
  22. First Day of Fall
  23. Favorite Time of Day
  24. Play
  25. Movement
  26. Far Away
  27. Pathways
  28. Signs
  29. Up High
  30. Photographer’s Choice

Have a wonderful September!

16 Autumn Songs for an Old School Vibe

The fall season is a wonderful time to curl up under a fuzzy blanket and listen to music. Earbuds limit the noise, no distractions, just you and your favorite tunes. Are you looking to add an “old school” music to your autumn playlist?

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  1. September Song–Frank Sinatra
  2. Autumn Leaves-Nat King Cole
  3. Autumn in New York-Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
  4. Autumn Serenade-John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
  5. Indian Summer – Ella Fitzgerald
  6. Autumn Waltz-Tony Bennett
  7. Autumn Nocturne-Henry Mancini & His Orchestra
  8. September-Frank Sinatra
  9. It Might as Well Rain Until September-Carole King
  10. Shine on Harvest Moon-The Four Aces
  11. ‘Tis Autumn-Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass
  12. The Last Leaf-The Cascades
  13. See You In September-The Happenings
  14. Catch a Falling Star-Perry Como
  15. September In the Rain-Dinah Washington
  16. Falling Leaves-Glen Miller and His Orchestra

Put your feet up, sip a hot cup of tea, and enjoy these old songs about the fall season.

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Family-Friendly Fall Activities: Scavenger Hunt

Fall is a wonderful time to go hiking. The cooler weather and changing leaves provide the perfect nature setting. Are you trying to get your young children to enjoy the outdoors too? Try an autumn-themed scavenger hunt.

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The simple idea of finding items in nature can inspire young children to love the outdoors. The excitement of checking off finds allows children to interact on the trails. Do you need inspiration for your scavenger hunt list?

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  1. Red leaf
  2. Squirrel
  3. Wildflower
  4. Acorn
  5. Yellow leaf
  6. Insect
  7. Brown leaf
  8. Spider web
  9. Orange leaf
  10. Mushroom
  11. Smooth rock
  12. Animal tracks
  13. Pinecones
  14. Dried pine needles
  15. Green leaf
  16. Small sized bird (Sparrows)
  17. Large sized birds (Egrets, Cranes, Eagles)
  18. Feather
  19. Bark
  20. Leaf in Water
  21. Bird’s nest
  22. Woodpecker holes
  23. Frog
  24. Bumpy rock
  25. Something you like
  26. A cloud shaped like an animal
  27. Empty snail shell
  28. Beehive
  29. Seed Pod
  30. Tree stump
  31. Bunny
  32. Moss on a rock
  33. Rocks in water
  34. Snake
  35. Mud puddle

Of course, you will have to make your list to match nature items in your location. Have fun! Happy searching!

25 Drawing Prompts for Fall

The fall season brings cooler temperatures and rainy days. Drawing is a great rainy-day activity. Markers, crayons, colored pencils, and drawing paper are available at your local dollar store. The inexpensive materials allow you to get creative and stay within budget. Yes, later you can invest in other drawing tools to help enhance your artistic side. If you are looking to keep within the fall theme, check out the following drawing prompts for Autumn.

  1. Self-Portrait in a Fall Scene
  2. Apples
  3. Trees
  4. Leaves
  5. Corn Stalks
  6. Corn Maze
  7. Harvest
  8. Pumpkin Patch
  9. Pumpkin
  10. Gourds
  11. Cornucopia
  12. Scarecrow
  13. Owl
  14. Bonfire
  15. Hay Bale
  16. Hayride
  17. Pinecone
  18. Hot Beverage
  19. Tradition
  20. Weather
  21. Mushrooms
  22. Football
  23. Pie
  24. Family & Friends
  25. Artist’s Choice

Enjoy your fall season! Get creative!

50 Photo Prompts for Fall

It’s here! Fall is officially here! Autumn provides numerous chances to tap into your creative side. Get outdoors. Enjoy the changing leaves. Let your inner photographer surface with these photo prompts for fall.

50 Fall Photo Prompts

  1. Selfie in a Fall Scene
  2. Apples
  3. Picnic
  4. Harvest
  5. Hayride
  6. Farmer’s Market
  7. Back to School
  8. Fall Attire
  9. Pumpkin Patch
  10. Pumpkins
  11. Trees/Woods
  12. Leaves
  13. Colors
  14. Sunset
  15. Cider Mill
  16. Orchard
  17. Cider
  18. Football
  19. Tailgate
  20. Nature
  21. Bonfire & S’mores
  22. Sunflowers
  23. Corn Stalks
  24. Homecoming
  25. Parade
  26. Marching Band
  27. Celebration
  28. Family
  29. Rain
  30. Scarecrow
  31. Warmth
  32. Traditions
  33. Corn Maze
  34. Candy Corn & Other Fall Treats
  35. Caramel Apples
  36. Pies
  37. Trails
  38. Candles
  39. Landscape
  40. Friends
  41. Pumpkin Spice
  42. Gourds
  43. Far Away
  44. Black and White
  45. Cool Breeze
  46. Up-Close
  47. Oktoberfest
  48. Fall Décor
  49. Water
  50. Photographer’s Choice