Autumn RSS Feed

The winter may have Christmas, the spring may have flowers, and the summer may have backyard BBQ’s; but here at Team Ken Richter we are particularly fond of Autumn. The fall is an absolutely striking season, filled with deep golds and burgundy’s, crunchy leaves, warm scarves and pumpkins. Although we love warm summer days, fall cannot be matched in beautiful Calgary, Alberta.

This fall in particular is set to be one of the most magical yet, boasting gorgeous conditions well into October. Still: the autumn season is fleeting. Here in Calgary it typically lasts from mid-September to mid-October. We are so lucky to get to experience all four seasons here in Calgary, no matter how short some of them may be. Soak them in. Experience them as deeply as…

Back to school season is in full swing, with many grade schools starting classes as early as August! With the back to school season comes new schedules, activities, processes, people, and so much more. It can be an overwhelming and over-stimulating couple of weeks getting settled into a new routine; so be gracious with yourself and your loved ones as you navigate this transition. We know it’s exhausting, so take care of each other.

One of the ways you can be gentle on yourself and others during this season is to celebrate the start of the school year the best way possible: by ordering take-out and putting on a family-favorite movie. Jen Hatmaker, author and speaker, encourages her readers to make the first Friday of back to school season a pizza…

Back to school is right around the corner! The commercials are on TV, people are flooding Staples and Walmart for supplies, schools everywhere are dusting off their desks and students are trying desperately to soak in every stray moment of summer. With back to school time comes a new dedication to keeping things organized, especially the house. Here are some creative DIY additions that will make back to school easier on your home.

1). Front Entryway Locker Room: Transform your front entry into a mock-locker room by installing little stalls with space for yourself and each of your kids. Put a shelf up for winter hats and gloves, a coat hanger for jackets and backpacks, and a basket for miscellaneous items. This will prevent everything from getting…

Remembrance Day is today, November 11th.

On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, Canadians will stop what they are doing and partake in two minutes of silence to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Having a moment of silence on this particular day is not a trifle decision. It marks a very important day in Canadian history: November 11th, 1918, when "the Armistice was signed and the Canadians took part in the triumphant entry into Mons, Belgium," marking the end of World War I (veterans.gc.ca). 

Remembrance Day does not only commemorate World War I; it commemorates all wars, big and small, all veterans, past and present, and all Canadians who have been affected by war in any way. It is so important to…

The Calgary Farmyard: The Calgary Farmyard has everything your heart could ever desire: baby goats, chickens, bunnies, lamas, mini golf, slides, fair-style games, a tractor pull, miniature train, corn maze, zip-line, snacks, drinks, a pumpkin patch and more! Throughout the yard are Instagram-worthy picture set ups, complete with all the rustic, autumnal charm everyone loves. While the ticket price is on the higher side at around $20/person (depending on the day and time), once you're inside the grounds, everything but food and pumpkin purchases are included. You could spend an entire afternoon and never run out of things to do. Check them out! Get your tickets here!

Ghoul's Night Out: Calgary's Heritage Park has always done an incredible job of…

Happy Thanksgiving Long Weekend!

While indoor and outdoor gatherings are still largely restricted due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis here in Alberta, that won't stop people from enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Not sure what to cook, or looking to try something new? We have put together the ultimate unique Thanksgiving meal, complete with links to recipes. Here is what is on the menu:

D R I N K S

• Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
• Hot Mulled Cider
• Thanksgiving Punch

A P P E T I Z E R S

• Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
• Bacon Rosemary Stuffed Mushrooms
• Pumpkin Cheese Ball

M A I N   C O U R S E S

• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows and Maple Pecan Crumble
• Sweet Bourbon Baked Ham
• Roasted Garlic & Squash…

This weekend is the September Long Weekend!

Monday is Labour Day, which is a national holiday. You may be wondering, what even is Labour Day?

Office Holidays writes, "the origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back to a printer's revolt in 1872 in Toronto when labourers tried to establish a maximum 54-hour workweek. At that time, any union activity was considered illegal and the organizers were jailed. Protest marches of over 10,000 formed in response. This eventually led to the Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald repealing the anti-union laws and arranging the release of the organizers as well. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration. The date was officially declared as…

Back to school season is right around the corner! As schools begin allowing students to trickle in, some opening their doors for the first time since March 2020, it feels like a whole new world out there. If you have students in your household, here are some tips to get you mentally prepared for back to school season as we continue to grapple with COVID-19 and talks of mask mandates, vaccinations, lockdowns, fourth waves and more…

1). Create a Health Checklist: Patch Magazine writes, “create a checklist to help you figure out if your child is up to date with their immunizations, they're getting enough rest and if they are mentally prepared for the school year. You'll want to get them back on a sleep schedule, organize their medical records and schedule…

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

This thanksgiving feels like it hits a little different as many of us feel distinctly ungrateful for the chaos of 2020 and look forward to the year finally being over. However, it's impossible to fast-forward through three whole months. 2020, for all of its surprises, pain and beauty, has become a year of reflection as we dismantle the way of living we were used to and build something new. There's always so much to be thankful for, whether it be something big like welcoming a someone new into the family, or small like how crunchy the leaves are this October. So on this thanksgiving, we encourage everyone to reflect on their year with grace and hope.

This thanksgiving we want to share with you one of our favorite new…

Canada has fully embraced Black Friday and Cyber Monday, both days marked by incredible retail sales. For many Canadians, this long weekend of savings has marked the start (and end) of all Christmas shopping. Many retailers boast incredible sales, free shipping and one-day-only savings events. Want to take advantage of this year's great deals? Here are some tips:

1). Make a list & check it twice: What are you hoping to get during this weekends deals? Make a list and check it twice. Consider everything: gifts, work clothes, food, home goods, etc.. Literally everything will be on sale somewhere. Having a list will help you stay focused and not forget anything. However, be flexible! You never know what great deals could await... 

2). Be Informed: On…