8 Fun Fall DIY Crafts

BAY CITY, Mich. – Autumn is one of the most stunning seasons, and with these 8 fun fall DIY crafts you can make your home as beautifully decorated as it looks outside. Prepare for Thanksgiving with centerpieces, garland, placards, and more, all of which can be enjoyed crafting by yourself, with your children, or with your friends. Read on to find instructions and what supplies you'll need to complete the fall DIY crafts and decorations.

Ombre Pinecone

This might be our favorite craft on the list. These colorful pinecones will help beautify your harvest decorations and are a lot of fun to make. You'll need to gather some pinecones from outside, and get acrylic paint in a few different shades of colors. Also, don't worry if you or your little one get a bit carried away and just paint the entire pinecone a single color. They will still look great!

Fall Mason Jars

For a country chic look, decorate you home for Thanksgiving with these fall mason jars. The colorful look to these leaf-imprinted decorations will impress all of your guests and family members when they come for Turkey Day!

Autumn Leaves Garland

Decorate your house with this beautiful, festive garland. Purchase some artificial leaves, coat them with glue and autumnal colored glitter. Then, use a hole punch then hang them with some ribbon. Simple and elegant!

Fall Layered Centerpiece

Layer corn kernels, leaves, and any other seasonal materials around a brown or orange colored candle for an incredible looking centerpiece. If you light the candle, make sure to not allow it to burn down to the dry layers though.

Pumpkin Placecards

Decorate cute little pumpkin placecards to make sure everyone knows where to sit at Thanksgiving Dinner! You can create all sorts of festive designs with paint, glitter, and other crafting supplies

Turkey Wreath

Build this beautiful turkey wreath to welcome family and guests to Thanksgiving dinner this year! You'll love creating this fun and vibrant Turkey Day craft.

Gold Confetti Pumpkins

Halloween is over but it doesn't mean you can't use pumpkins for decorating anymore. These stylish gold and white pumpkins will add some flair to your Thanksgiving decor. 

Thankful Tree

Grab a fallen tree branch out of your backyard to start making a Thankful Tree! This simple craft is a great way to have a conversation with your children about being thankful for the things they have like family, pets, their favorite toys, and more.

So have fun decorating your home in preparation for Thanksgiving this year with these 8 fun fall DIY crafts! You can also start getting ready for Winter by completing our Fall Car Care maintenance routine to make sure your vehicle and its internal components are ready to brave the freezing temperatures. Avoid getting stuck out in the cold by visiting the Graff Bay City Service Center this November.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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What to Do With Your Leftover Pumpkins

BAY CITY, Mich. – Halloween is over, and all around the country, families are taking down their decorations and tossing their Jack-o-Lanterns and decorative pumpkins into the trash. Instead of wastefully throwing them away, if you know what to do with your leftover pumpkins, you can make delicious desserts, creative centerpieces, and much more! Read on to discover the amazing things your leftover Jack-o-Lantern can do for you and your home.

Make Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree can be used to make pumpkin pie, cakes, smoothies, and tons of other fall goodies! Plus, making your own pumpkin puree can save you the trouble of having to buy all of those extra cans of puree when you're preparing to make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Just make sure there is no mold growing in your Jack-o-Lantern before you start cooking!

How to Do It: 

1. Cut your pumpkin down the middle, removing the extra seeds and setting them aside (we'll use them later!)
2. Next, place your pumpkin slices cut-side down on a cooking sheet.
3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then bake for 45 minutes. 
4. Remove your pumpkin pieces from the oven and peel off the pumpkin "skin".
5. Place the leftover pumpkin chunks into a food processor or blender, then blend until thoroughly smooth. Voila! You've made pumpkin puree!

Use Your Pumpkin Puree to Make Pumpkin Butter

Want to put your pumpkin puree to good use right away? With just a few ingredients, you can make a delicious batch of pumpkin butter that packs a festive punch of flavor! You can spread it on toast, add it to ice cream, french toast, and much more!

How to Do It:

1. Combine 29 oz. pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup apple juice, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves in a large saucepan, stirring well. Bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Reduce its heat, stir occasionally and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Transfer to containers and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Cook Your Leftover Pumpkin Seeds

Remember those pumpkin seeds we set aside earlier? Well, now we're going to turn them into a delicious fall snack! You can cook this tasty treat with cinnamon, salt, butter, or even sugar to add a dash of flavor to this easy-to-make side dish.

How to Do It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Throw your pumpkin seeds into a bowl with 2 teaspoons of melted butter and your 1 1/2 cups of cinnamon, salt, or sugar.
3. Spread pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally

Donate Leftover Pumpkins to a Farmer

If you aren't a fan of pumpkin-flavored foods, you can always donate your leftover Jack-o-Lanterns to your local farmers! Animals love the sweet taste of pumpkins and the cows, pigs, and other farm friends will be very thankful for the tasty treat. 

How to Do It: Use MLive's Animal Farm Finder to discover local farms in Bay County that would be more than happy to take your leftover pumpkins off your hands!

Turn Your Pumpkin into a Flower Pot

Want to repurpose your Jack-o-Lantern into a festive fall decoration? With just a few quick steps, you can transform your carved pumpkin into a live flower planter! If you plan on displaying your planters outside, however, recommend that you turn them so that your Jack-o-Lantern's spooky face isn't greeting your guests as they enter your home.

How to Do It: After removing the lid of your pumpkin and cleaning out its insides, add a shovel full of dirt into its base. Slide your flower into the pumpkin and fill the remaining empty areas with dirt till it fills your Jack-o-Lantern to the top. Wipe it down and give your plant some water, and voila!

Now that you know what to do with your leftover pumpkins, you can breathe new life into your Jack-o-Lantern with by cooking recipes, making decorations, and charitable donations! Looking for more DIY projects and recipes? Make sure to follow our Pinterest page for all things autumn! Additionally, if you're searching for more fall fun, you can make the most of your time before winter with our Fall Seasonal Guide! Browse through our guide to find recommendations on local cider mills, apple orchards, fall recipes, and so much more. Before you head out to your next great fall adventure, though, make sure your vehicle is able to take on the changing temperatures with our Fall Car Care guide. You won't regret it once the snow starts to fall!

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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5 Fun Fall Activities For the Whole Family

BAY CITY, Mich. –– Apple cider, pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires, and caramel apples. What do these things all have in common? They're some of the best parts about the fall season! With the temperatures dropping and the colors changing, we've put together the 5 fun fall activities for the whole family you won't want to miss this season. From cider mills to caramel apples, make unforgettable memories with your family this fall!

Try the Gourmet Apple Cart

For a limited time in Bay City, the City market will host the Gourmet Apple Cart on Tuesdays and Thursdays this fall! The Gourmet Apple Cart, started in Flint, is renowned for their wide variety of unique candied apple flavors. People from around the Mitten gather to enjoy pistachio, Twix, and even s'more candied apples at the Flint Farmer's Market. The Gourmet Apple Cart is only in Bay City for a limited time, so get your hands on a Gourmet Apple from the City Market before it's too late!

Head Out to Uncle John's Cider Mill

Grab a doughnut, sip on a glass of cider, and enjoy a full cider mill experience at Uncle John's this year! During the fall season, you can purchase wristband packages that give you and your family full access to wagon rides, corn mazes, and much more! You can fire fruit from the Apple Cannon, catch a hayride, and play in the Kid's Corral this fall season. The best part is, Uncle John's is open 7 days a week from 9-8! Check up on their events calendar for detailed lists of seasonal specials and events that occur every week.

Explore a Haunted Shipwreck

During the fall season, the USS Edson becomes a haunted house! Michigan Haunted Houses calls the "Edson Incident" a not-so-scary haunted house, but visitors have to be at least 10 and up in order to enter. Explore five levels of terror in an abandoned Vietnam-era US Navy Destroyer, encountering scarier creatures as you make your way through the USS Edson. Find out for yourself what the Edson Incident has in store for you by exploring the haunted shipwreck this fall! 

Pick a Pumpkin at Warmbier Farms

Fall fun isn't complete without pumpkin picking! At Warmbier Farms, you can find pumpkins of any shape, size, and color in a huge, 12,000 square foot showroom! You can find flowers, statues, boutique jewelry, seasonal decor, and much more as well in their walk-in store in Auburn, Michigan. Warmbier's Fall Festivals in September and October feature discounts on mums, pumpkins, corn, and other fall produce. Stop by this fall season to find the perfect pumpkin to carve up this Halloween!

Try a Doughnut from Cops & Doughnuts

Every fall, the Cops and Doughnuts "precinct" in Bay City offers seasonal treats and delights for all of their customers to enjoy. Grab a cup of warm cider, give their "chief cake doughnut" a try, and stop by their Bay City precinct to check out their wide selection of doughnuts, cookies, breads, and cakes! Open 7 days a week from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Sutherland Precinct of Cops and Doughnuts in Bay City!

This fall, discover the best Bay City has to offer with these 5 fun fall activities for the whole family! If you are interested in applying for an auto loan, fill out our credit application form to get pre-approved. We are here to help you obtain the best interest rate you can on an auto loan! Worried about the price of a vehicle? You may be eligible to receive an exclusive discount! Take a look at our GM Discount Programs to find out if you qualify, and make sure to contact us if you have any questions!

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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DIY Halloween Pumpkin Carving & Decorating Ideas

BAY CITY, Mich. – Pumpkin-flavored everything is great and all, but nothing gets you into the Halloween spirit like carving pumpkins! Whether you love a classic jack-o-lantern or you like to get creative with ideas from Pinterest, there's no better way to get in the spooky spirit! We understand that searching for the perfect DIY Halloween Pumpkin Carving or Decorating Idea can turn into a never ending search, so we gathered up all of our favorites so that you can get right to the fun part!

If just carving a pumpkin is more your speed, flip things on their side this year. We love this different take on a freaky face carving that utilizes the pumpkin's stem as the nose!

Or, just remove the stem all together! These decorative patterned pumpkins are a beautiful way to spice up your fall decor, and you'll be able to showcase a larger candle to offer more light.

Get classy with your pumpkin and paint a glitter monogram on a solid background. This example uses a white/gold theme, but you can mix it up according to your color preferences!

If you like the idea of lettered pumpkins, but want to take yours to the next level, why not leave a message! Grab a truck load of pumpkins and let your message be heard! You could even stick to a simple Boo! if you don't want a lengthy message.

Feeling creative? Don't let your paint be limited to just a letter, go crazy with colors and designs like these geometric and ombre examples!

Curve ball! Who says you have to carve a pumpkin? We love this carved pineapple to channel our tropical dreams, but you could also do the same with a gourd, watermelon, etc!

We hope these DIY Halloween pumpkin carving & decorating ideas have sparked your creativity and will help you be the most crafty witch on the block! Whatever you do this Halloween, we want you and your family to be safe. Make sure to take care of your car this season so you can be safe through fall and into winter. Visit our Fall Car Care pages today for a closer look at suggested vehicle seasonal care. Also take a look at our routine maintenance page for a review of your car's needs year-round. If you are ready to schedule your fall car care service appointment, you can visit us online or give us a call at (989) 684-4411 and one of our certified technicians will be happy to help!

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we can help you find the perfect vehicle for your weekend getaway! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Festive Fall Pumpkin Spice Recipes to Celebrate Autumn

BAY CITY, Mich. – Corn mazes, hay rides, and pumpkins are all tell-tale signs that fall is here! If you can't tell we are super excited for the start of a new season and like many of you we can't wait to whip up some festive fall pumpkin spice recipes to celebrate autumn!

So naturally we took to Pinterest to pick out some of our favorite recipes that we're sure you'll love! From healthy smoothies to indulgent treats, we've got a little bit of everything to cover all of your fall cravings! If you have a favorite fall recipe we'd love for you to share it in the comments!

Festive Fall Pumpkin Spice Recipes to Celebrate Autumn

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Skinny Pumpkin Nutella Dip

Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Apple Pie Smoothie

Don't forget that nasty weather is on its way so it's important to make sure your vehicle is ready to keep you safe! Our dealership near Saginaw, MI can take care of any auto service you need. From brakes to oil changes, we have you covered! 

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we can help you find the perfect fall vehicle! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Cider Mills & Orchards in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region

BAY CITY, Mich. – The air is crisp, the trees are beginning to change, and pumpkin-flavored-everything is coming! Which means, it's time to make an annual trip to the Cider Mills & Orchards in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region to kick off the Autumn season! Whether you prefer to pick apples, find the best pumpkin, or just take in the fall ambiance, we've got you covered with a list of our local apple orchards and cider mills near Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland!

Cider Mills & Orchards in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region

Bay City, MI
Berry Creek Farms
6745 South Euclid Avenue, Bay City

Paul's Produce
Cass and M-15, Bay City, Michigan 48708

Visit them on Facebook

Witzgall Apple Orchard
5179 Two Mile Road Bay City, MI48706

Website

Saginaw, MI
Apple Valley Orchard

6480 Davis Road, Saginaw, MI 48604

Website

Hemmeter's Farm Market
4050 Lawndale Road, Saginaw Charter Township, MI

Visit them on Facebook

Johnsons Giant Pumpkin Patch
4715 N. Portsmouth Rd, Saginaw, MI 48601

Website

Freeland, MI
Bayne's Apple Valley Farm

5395 Midland Rd., Freeland, MI 48623

Visit them on Facebook

Bintz Cider Mill & Apple Farm
4520 N. River Rd. Freeland, MI

Leaman's Green Applebarn & Cider Mill
7475 N. River Rd Freeland, MI 48623

Website

LeCronier's Baby Acres
5800 Flajole Road, Freeland

Website

Auburn, MI

Warmbier Farms

5300 Garfield Road, Auburn, MI

Website

Midland, MI
Grandma's Pumpkin Patch

4319 North Eastman Road, Midland

Website

Apple Blossom Orchard

2581 Wilder Road, Midland, MI 48642

Website

Don't forget to make sure your vehicle is ready for fall before the first frost! Stop by our Kawkawlin area Chevrolet dealer and we can help you with all of your vehicle needs including your search for a New Chevy Car or New Chevy Truck! Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we can help you find the perfect vehicle for your weekend getaway! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Comfort Food Recipes For Fall

BAY CITY, Mich. – Chilly temps have finally started to move in (even if only just a little) and it's got us craving comfort food all day, everyday. From healthy treats to energize our mornings and savory pasta to warm us up in the evening, to straight up delicious treats that we'll take any time of day, these comfort food recipes for fall are our top picks this season!

Comfort Food Recipes For Fall

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Start your day off on a healthy note with these pumpkin breakfast cookies that are packed with all kinds of goodies that will keep you energized all day long.

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Crumble

Whether you need a mid-week pick-me-up or are having an autumn get-together, this slow cooker caramel apple crumble gets the job done in the dessert department.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Dessert, breakfast, or mid-day snack – this pumpkin chocolate chip bread is a comforting treat any time of day.

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

 Looking for a hug in a bowl? Look no further than this pumpkin macaroni and cheese that screams Fall.

Ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo

When it comes to comfort food, there is just nothing that is as comforting as this ravioli with pumpkin already. Trust us. 

As Fall continues to move in and your autumn adventures begin, make sure you're ready for anything with a new Chevy car or truck from our Mt. Morris Area Chevrolet Dealership. Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help you find the perfect car, truck, or SUV for your new family! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Pumpkin Carving Ideas

BAY CITY, Mich.- Halloween is just around the corner, which means it's almost time for Truck and Treat at Graff Bay City! But it also means that it's time to carve your pumpkin and put it on display for the neighborhood to see! If you're unsure about how spooky you want your design to be this year, take a look at our Pumpkin Carving Ideas below or check out our Fall Frenzy Pinterest Board for more ideas!

Whether you're a professional pumpkin carver that can whip up an impressive design, or if you like to stick with the basic jack-o-lantern look, there are plenty of creative pumpkin carving ideas this year! The great thing is that with the internet, you can usually print out a stencil of your design to make carving a little easier.

If you want to do something a little different this year, try using multiple pumpkins to create a festive scene or to write a saying like in the photos below. You can also use a drill to carve little holes all over your pumpkin for a lantern effect!

Or, if you want to take the more creative route, no need to carve at all. Get out your craft supplies and let your imagination run wild! Utilize buttons, sequins, thumb tacks, puffy paint, etc. to design a truly unique pumpkin.

But don't miss out on the most original of them all! We will have airbrush pumpkins at our Truck and Treat event on Halloween! Stop by for tons of fun and we can also help you find the perfect perfect vehicle to tote all that candy home at our Bridgeport Area Chevrolet Dealership and Used Car Dealership! Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706. For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our websites: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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