11 Fall Fun Facts Worth Knowing

While spring and summer are my favorite seasons, Autumn isn't really that bad. After all, it's a time for football, chili cookouts, boots, cozy sweaters, hoodies and leggings and eleven other things you will never believe!  Keep reading for Autumn fun facts totally worth knowing...



DID YOU KNOW:


1. Levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest in the fall. Scientists speculate the surge may be a result of ancient mating instincts (e.g., the fall “rutting season”) or that decreasing daylight somehow triggers it.

2. According to NASA, autumn is “aurora season” because geomagnetic storms are about twice as frequent as the annual average during the fall.

3. Cooler temperatures and less light during the autumn months signals the tree's leaves to stop producing chlorophyll, or the green pigment that helps capture sunlight to power photosynthesis. As the green fades, the leave’s other pigments shine through. 

4. Red and purple leaves are caused by the presence of sugars from sap that is trapped inside of the leaves. 

5. The word “harvest” comes from the Old Norse word, haust, which means “to gather or pluck.” As people moved to the cities, “harvest” fell out of use and city dwellers began to use “fall of the leaf,” which was shortened to “fall.



6. The shorter days and cooler nights tell the animals to begin storing food in their nest/dens and fat on their body, before winter's death freeze arrives.

7. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) can lead to weight gain during autumn and winter. Lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage. Take a supplement before even consider sunbathing. It's safer, faster and healthier.




8. Autumn holidays include Labor Day, Grandparents Day, Patriot Day, Autumn Equinox, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving.



9. Each autumn, monarch butterflies migrate from the U.S. to Mexico and some parts of Southern California. They fly at speeds of 12 to 25 miles per hour. Monarchs are the only insect that migrates during the winter to a warmer climate...  2,500 miles away!

10. The autumn equinox, or the 'First Day Of Fall' signals the aurora borealis--the Northern Lights--geomagnetic storms are twice as likely to occur during the fall due to cool evening weather.

11. The pumpkin or should I say, Pepon, which means 'large melon', was first named by the Greeks,”

FYI: How a Pumpkin grows!




What's your favorite thing about Autumn, Fall, Harvest?












How To Not Miss Your Favorite Fall Shows + Movies




The constant routine of caring for the kids and balancing work leaves little time for you and your partner to just kick back, connect and unwind. Fall TV premiere week is a great way to snag a couple of quality snuggle hours with your partner. The best shows are coming back and a few new ones worth checking out.





Finding Time for the Tube
Luckily, there's a good mix of services and providers that understand the needs of those with busy schedules. The combination of DVR and streaming video lets us catch our favorite programs when we have the time, plus the benefit of skipping commercials!

Think:
·  DirectTV
·  Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu
·  Redbox

So if, like me, you've got a bunch a shows to watch, and told Spectrum to go shove it up their...errm...  keep reading for tips to help you not miss your favorite upcoming shows and movies. First, the line up. (Pin it for quick refrence!)




DirectTV

The cost of DirectTV fits right into the affordable range for a big family in need of multiple devices. At $50+ a month, you get access to 150+ channels. The best part of the DirectTV deal is that it has enough equipment to get setup in 4 rooms. Meaning, the kids can have their shows while you and spouse get to catch whatever shows you’re keeping up with.

The HD DVR is included and easy to setup and navigate. It’s a set-top receiver that will record your shows (up to 100 hours with most receivers). You can record entire seasons at a time and even access them through their app on your phone, tablet, or computer.


Netflix/Prime/Hulu


Netflix (and the other streaming services) are what I’d say to be a secondary option. Mainly because you must wait around until the seasons are completed (often months) before they’re on the service. Hulu tends to do it right by premiering episodes the next day though that’s mostly for the prime-time shows.

Amazon Prime is a solid choice because you get the added benefit of 2-day shipping along with the big selection of movies and shows.

You can share these logins throughout the home so the services are accessible in the kid’s rooms. When you combine all three you have a lot of shows that are worth the watch.


Redbox
If you don’t mind taking a trip to a drug store (like CVS or Walgreens) or a convenience store then Redbox will fit the bill. These handy kiosks have a good selection of movies and games for about $1.50 - $3 a day. It’s great for picking up during date night or when you’re doing a late-night trip to the store.

Lump Redbox in with the many ways to watch flicks and you should be all set!

A great way to enhance your relationship is to find a couple of fall shows to watch together. A little bit of time here and there is needed for a healthy relationship. Before long, the kids will be off doing their own thing but until then at least you have options to squeeze in quality TV time.


How do you balance taking care of the kids and keeping up with your favorite show?

Do This To Your Home And Save A Bundle This Winter



Keep the cold out and your gas and electric bills in check with these five tips to prepare your home for cooler weather. 

Prevent Drafts and Seal Windows

Drafty windows are one of the biggest contributors to heat loss in houses. Drafts can come from space between the windows and the frame or from worn-out weather-stripping. No matter what the cause, there are simple things you can do to prevent drafts from chilling your home:
  • Add weather-stripping- this is the fastest and cheapest way to block this nasty arctic drafts.
  • Use Draft Snakes, or roll up towels and place them at the bottom of the window.
  • Place plastic over windows that will not be open for several months.
  • Put foam board in the attic and other unused windows.

Inspect Roofs

Depending on where you live, you might find that during the summer months you see very little moisture, but during the winter months, that can change. Now is the time to inspect your roof and make sure that you do not have any loose shingles. Repair any missing or loose shingles, because leaving them as is can lead to leaks and damage to your home.

Clean Gutters

Clean out your gutters and check them for proper installation. If your gutters are full of leaves and other debris, they will clog and not allow water to move safely away from your home. Not only can this potentially damage your home, but in freezing temperatures, these puddles can also become frozen hazards. Plus, the leaves and other natural debris that you remove from the gutters is ideal for adding to your compost.

Inspect Your HVAC System

It is always a good idea to have your HVAC system serviced in both spring and fall. These are the months when the weather is changing, and you will be switching between cooling and heating your home. By having your HVAC system serviced, you can make sure that any needed repairs are completed before you have to heat your home. Don’t wait until you need heat, because you could find yourself without it.

Change Your Bedding

Most of the time during the cooler months, people tend to turn up their heat during the hours when they are home and awake doing things, and they turn down the temperature when they are away or sleeping. Not only will doing this save on the cost of heating, but it also will allow you to get a better night’s rest. However, that doesn’t mean that you want to crawl into a cold bed with cotton sheets. Instead, change out your sheets to flannel and put on a couple more blankets to keep you warm on those cold nights ahead.


Don’t let the cooler weather catch you off guard — take time now to prepare and ensure that you and your loved ones stay warm this winter.
Can you believe Summer '17 is almost over? Like all summers, it went way too fast. While, spring and summer are my favorite seasons, Autumn isn't really that bad. After all, its a time for football, chili cookouts, boots, cozy sweaters, hoodies and leggings and eleven other things you will never believe!  Keep reading for Autumn fun facts totally worth knowing...



DID YOU KNOW:


1. Levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest in the fall. Scientists speculate the surge may be a result of ancient mating instincts (e.g., the fall “rutting season”) or that decreasing daylight somehow triggers it.

2. According to NASA, autumn is “aurora season” because geomagnetic storms are about twice as frequent as the annual average during the fall.

3. Cooler temperatures and less light during the autumn months signals the tree's leaves to stop producing chlorophyll, or the green pigment that helps capture sunlight to power photosynthesis. As the green fades, the leave’s other pigments shine through. 

4. Red and purple leaves are caused by the presence of sugars from sap that is trapped inside of the leaves.

5. The word “harvest” comes from the Old Norse word haust, which means “to gather or pluck.” As people moved to the cities, “harvest” fell out of use and city dwellers began to use “fall of the leaf,” which was shortened to “fall.



6. The shorter days and cooler nights tells the animals to begin storing food in their nest/dens and fat on their body, before winter's death freeze arrives.

7. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) can lead to weight gain during autumn and winter. Lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage. Take a supplement before even consider sunbathing. It's safer, faster and healthier.




8. Autumn holidays include Labor Day, Grandparents Day, Patriot Day, Autumn Equinox, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving.



9. Each autumn, monarch butterflies migrate from the U.S. to Mexico and some parts of Southern California. They fly at speeds of 12 to 25 miles per hour. Monarchs are the only insect that migrates during the winter to a warmer climate...  2,500 miles away!

10. The autumn equinox, or the 'First Day Of Fall' signals the aurora borealis--the Northern Lights--geomagnetic storms are twice as likely to occur during the fall due to cool evening weather.

11. The pumpkin was first named, Pepon, which means “large melon, by the Greeks,”

FYI: How a Pumpkin grows!




What's your favorite thing about Autumn, Fall, Harvest?