It’s hard to believe that it’s almost October, and with it comes the best parts of fall: crisp apples, cooler temperatures, evening fires, hot cider, and the heart of football season. Around here, that means weekends filled with tailgating at our favorite sporting events. We love supporting college football (especially UVA), and each year we attend and tailgate at several games with friends and family — often cheering on more than one school’s team. Every gathering brings its own colors, traditions, and energy, which makes the season memorable. Last year, we shared our Tailgating Essentials Checklist to help simplify your game day prep. It covered everything from folding tables and coolers to seating and entertainment. This season, we’re focusing on the food that makes tailgating memorable — and nothing says Southern hospitality quite like our Shookhill Pimento Cheese recipe. We like to prep this staple during the week so that it is ready to go on game day. When it comes to hosting a tailgate party, we focus on making one or two dishes and using store bought items for the rest. We focus on finger food that is easy to eat while standing or sitting with a plate in your lap. If we are bringing a sweet treat, we tend to bake off some of our frozen cookie dough (another time saving trick we highly recommend and shared in our The Secret to Warm Chocolate Cookies Anytime post). Shookhill Pimento Cheese Our variation of this classic recipe is creamy, tangy with a little zip, and versatile, our pimento cheese is always a hit. We serve it with crackers, pita chips, and crisp veggies, but it’s also delicious spread onto sliders or tucked inside mini sandwiches. Best of all, it can be made the night before — saving time and stress on game day morning. Building the Perfect Spread While pimento cheese steals the spotlight, a great tailgate spread is all about variety. Here’s what we typically pack: Pulled Pork Sliders layered with apple slaw and pickles Seasonal Salads like pasta salad or potato salad Snack Mixes & Chips for quick, easy munching make our Cheese-It Crack (recipe below) or try another fav – 5 o’clock crunch Sweet Treats such as cookies, caramel corn or tailgate almonds (from our fall charcuterie post) Coolers & Drinks stocked with water, sodas, cider, and favorite adult beverages Pair this with your Tailgating Essentials Checklist — stocked with platters, utensils, napkins, wipes, and a little shade — and you’ll have everything you need to keep fans fueled and happy all day. Why We Love Tailgating Tailgating is more than just a pre-game tradition. It’s where community happens. We decorate our tables with team spirit, set out a spread of food, and play cornhole for a little friendly competition. It’s a great time to relax, enjoy good food, catch up with friends and share a few laughs before heading into the stadium. So, as October weekends fill with football and friends, make sure your spread is game-day ready. Add our Shookhill Pimento Cheese and Cheese-It Crack to the menu this year — they may just become your tailgating MVPs.
The Ultimate New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary
When maple trees are at peak fall color, their beauty will take your breath away! In New England, this is traditionally within the first two weeks of October. If you’re dreaming of the ultimate leaf-peeping adventure, there’s no better place than New England. Crisp mountain air, winding scenic roads, charming towns, and fiery fall colors all come together to create a trip you’ll never forget. This season is short but spectacular, planning ahead & dressing appropriately (including smart packing) is the secret to making the most of it. Here’s our favorite itinerary — one that blends a little history, scenic beauty, and a few delicious stops along the way. Start in Boston, MA Fly into Boston to begin your journey. Spend a little time exploring some of the city’s highlights before heading north — we love strolling the Boston Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, window shopping along Newbury Street in the Back Bay or grabbing a cozy meal in the North End. Then, get a good night rest, grab breakfast at one of our favorite spots – Flour Bakery and Café. Now you’re ready to hit the road with provisions in hand. Woodstock, VT The storybook town of Woodstock is one of the prettiest in Vermont. Check into the classic Woodstock Inn, then wander Main Street’s boutiques, galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants. Don’t miss the Woodstock Farmers Market, where you can stock up on picnic-ready salads, local cheeses, cider, crackers, and even a can of Vermont’s famed Heady Topper IPA for later. Hanover, NH & Norwich, VT From Woodstock, make your way to Hanover, New Hampshire, home of Dartmouth College. The historic campus is charming in fall, with golden leaves crunching underfoot. Just across the Connecticut River lies Norwich, VT, where the King Arthur Baking Company Store awaits. It’s a baker’s paradise — pick up fresh bread, baking mixes, or a few sweet treats for the road. Warren, NH to Lincoln, NH Next, drive along the scenic Sawyer Highway (Route 118) to Lincoln. The winding roads are lined with fiery red, orange, and gold leaves, offering some of the prettiest views in the state. Lincoln, NH & the Kancamagus Highway Lincoln is the gateway to the legendary Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) — a 60-mile stretch of pure autumn magic. This drive is a must-do, with multiple places to stop and soak in the scenery: Sabbaday Falls – a picturesque waterfall perfect for photos. Lower Falls – an easy, family-friendly stop. Albany Covered Bridge – a historic 1858 bridge over the Swift River. Fadden’s General Store & Sugarhouse (North Woodstock) – award-winning maple syrup and local charm. Conway, NH to Mt. Washington From Conway, continue north toward Mt. Washington. Along the way, you can stop for an easy one-mile hike to Diana’s Baths Waterfall in North Conway. Once at Mt. Washington, stay at the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel, where sunset drinks on the porch are a tradition. Adventurous travelers can hike the mountain, but if you prefer a less strenuous option, take the Cog Railway or drive the Auto Road to the summit. (Book tickets in advance — these fill quickly during foliage season!) Return to Boston From Mt. Washington, make your way back to Boston, via the White Mountain Highway and Interstate 95 in Portsmouth. If time allows, we like to stop in Kittery at Bob’s Clam Hut for some clams or a lobster roll before heading back to Boston and closing the loop on your fall adventure. 🍂 Travel Tip: Book your hotels early — New England fills up quickly in October. The first half of the month is usually peak season, but exact timing varies each year. With a little planning, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the world.