Today brought the Autumn equinox - the first day of fall. I couldn't be happier about it, as fall is my favorite time of year and I start looking forward to its return the very minute that it is over. There are just so many reasons to love fall....
Its the return of apple season! Fresh pressed apple cider, homemade apple sauce, classic apple desserts and of course, crisp and juicy apples for eating. We are big apple eaters in our house, and after going all spring and summer without them that first crunchy bite tells us that fall has truly arrived.
Apples aren't the only taste of fall that I look forward to. When I think of fall, I think of cups of hot chocolate, green tea and spiced ciders. And one of my all time favorite drinks of the season - pumpkin spiced lattes! I don't frequent coffee shops much anymore, but this delicious drink gives me a good excuse to!
Taste isn't the only sense that tells me fall is here - all it takes is a walk outside and smell, sight and sound all come into play. I love the feel of fall air - so crisp and cool and so refreshing on bare skin. Then there is the sense of smell - autumn air always smells so clean and fresh. And there is nothing like the sweet earthy smell in the air after a fall rainstorm. And sight! Every time I walk down the street I am greeted with some of the most beautiful colors that nature has to offer. Everywhere leaves are changing color, from the brightest yellow to the deepest red. And then there is the sound of the crackling brown leaves on the ground that the kids love to sweep up and jump in. Fall astounds the senses at every turn.
Touch comes into play when we do my favorite fall activity - visiting pumpkin patches! There are so many different textures - from the smoothness of pumpkins to the rough scratchiness of the hay filling the back of the hay ride. Soft animal to pet in the petting zoo, and silky corn stalk leaves to brush past on your way through the corn maze. Pumpkin patches have a little bit of each of my favorite things about fall all wrapped up in one place - its no wonder that we go to so many of them during the season.
There are so many other things that I love about fall. Fires in the fireplace, and watching movies with the kids under cozy blankets. The return of soups and stews to our dinner menu. Nature walks with the kids to find acorns and pretty leaves. The sound of geese honking overhead as they fly south for the winter. Listening to the rain fall through an open window. Halloween and Thanksgiving, two of my favorite holidays. Autumn themed crafts with the kids. Splashing in puddles (or at least watching the kids splash in them). Everything - I just love everything about this time of year. I plan to enjoy this season to the fullest, overloading my senses with all the beauty and magic that fall has to offer. I know it will be gone all too soon...
Its the return of apple season! Fresh pressed apple cider, homemade apple sauce, classic apple desserts and of course, crisp and juicy apples for eating. We are big apple eaters in our house, and after going all spring and summer without them that first crunchy bite tells us that fall has truly arrived.
Apples aren't the only taste of fall that I look forward to. When I think of fall, I think of cups of hot chocolate, green tea and spiced ciders. And one of my all time favorite drinks of the season - pumpkin spiced lattes! I don't frequent coffee shops much anymore, but this delicious drink gives me a good excuse to!
Taste isn't the only sense that tells me fall is here - all it takes is a walk outside and smell, sight and sound all come into play. I love the feel of fall air - so crisp and cool and so refreshing on bare skin. Then there is the sense of smell - autumn air always smells so clean and fresh. And there is nothing like the sweet earthy smell in the air after a fall rainstorm. And sight! Every time I walk down the street I am greeted with some of the most beautiful colors that nature has to offer. Everywhere leaves are changing color, from the brightest yellow to the deepest red. And then there is the sound of the crackling brown leaves on the ground that the kids love to sweep up and jump in. Fall astounds the senses at every turn.
Touch comes into play when we do my favorite fall activity - visiting pumpkin patches! There are so many different textures - from the smoothness of pumpkins to the rough scratchiness of the hay filling the back of the hay ride. Soft animal to pet in the petting zoo, and silky corn stalk leaves to brush past on your way through the corn maze. Pumpkin patches have a little bit of each of my favorite things about fall all wrapped up in one place - its no wonder that we go to so many of them during the season.
There are so many other things that I love about fall. Fires in the fireplace, and watching movies with the kids under cozy blankets. The return of soups and stews to our dinner menu. Nature walks with the kids to find acorns and pretty leaves. The sound of geese honking overhead as they fly south for the winter. Listening to the rain fall through an open window. Halloween and Thanksgiving, two of my favorite holidays. Autumn themed crafts with the kids. Splashing in puddles (or at least watching the kids splash in them). Everything - I just love everything about this time of year. I plan to enjoy this season to the fullest, overloading my senses with all the beauty and magic that fall has to offer. I know it will be gone all too soon...