Fun Things for Fall.

Fall picture by George E. Norkus

Fall has arrived with all the fun it always brings – colorful changing leaves, cool, crisp nights, Halloween, and hot chocolate with marshmallows. But this year, I wanted to think of a few different things to appreciate about the season. Here are a few ideas:

1. Candy bars don’t melt in the hot car on the way home from the store.
2. Entertainment – ever watch someone raking up leaves on a windy day?
3. Cozy firelight. Something about a warm, crackling fire just says contentment and comfort.
4. Singing in your car. Finally a chance to roll up your windows and belting out your favorite tunes without hurting the sensitive ears of other drivers.
5. No more pests. Bees, mosquitoes, snakes and other creepy-crawlies go away for awhile.
6. Apples! Apple pie, applesauce, apple cider, apple butter, and of course – an ordinary apple. Yum!
7. Bulky sweaters. They’re colorful, bright, and great at hiding the flaws of our not-always-perfect figures.
8. Quieter Saturdays once the lawnmower is retired for the season.
9. Sunday is for Football!
10. Romance time. Snuggling under the covers for warmth leads into something more.
11. New TV shows. The end of summer re-runs and a return of old favorites.
12. After the exciting fireworks of multi-colored leaves, you get to crunch-crunch-crunch them under your feet as you walk. I don’t know why it’s so fun, but it is.
13. Being outside all day long and not getting sweaty.
14. Pretending to be someone else for a day. Isn’t Halloween great?
15. Smelling cedar and pine in the chimney smoke.

What are your favorites?

Fall is here!

Loose-Leaf by Nicholas_T

Ahh, fall. Those crisp, cool mornings where stars glimmer and shine in a crystal clear sky. The day begins to wind down a little bit sooner as night falls earlier each evening. Trees begin their brilliant fashion show as they change into vibrant reds, oranges and yellows, dazzling us as take our daily walk. Homemade soup and hot cocoa fill the air as families gather together for a bit of warmth.

As I’ve moved from MD to FL and back north again to TN, I am in love once again with the passing seasons. I am captivated by the noticeable changes in the days. How the cool weather brings thick white fog, that envelopes us in a soft cocoon, muting the harsh noises of traffic. Or the first frost, when plants and grass are coated in a thin layer of white that sparkle in the streetlights overhead.

Fall brings to mind family and friends. Holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we get together and eat, frolic and enjoy one another’s company. A time to give thanks for all the joys and happy moments we’ve experienced through the year. Fall brings us back together as we shelter from the cold.

Two of my favorite fall activities are decorating a bright orange pumpkin for Halloween (and even Thanksgiving), and going on a hike to see the gleaming colors of the Maples, Ash, Sweet gum, Birch and Oak trees. I love listening the crackle of fallen leaves as they crunch underfoot. The cool air is invigorating and lures me outside day after day.

Some more favorites of mine are; eating Halloween (black and orange) Oreos, visiting family and feasting at Thanksgiving, going to Haunted houses, eating crisp fall apples, the first pot of homemade soup, hot tea on a cold morning, and seeing the first Christmas decorations go up. What are you favorite fall activities?