What Says Autumn to You?

It's officially autumn. I'm blessed to live in the Midwest where we have four seasons. Some years it feels like one season (winter), and others we skip a season (spring) but we always, always have fall.

We've had unusually hot Septembers lately, which can trick us into thinking fall won't come. But there's a sure sign it's arriving--cold mornings. I take my little dog out each morning, and I know summer is almost over when I need a sweater and tennis shoes. No more flip-flops for this girl!

The leaves slowly morph from green to red or yellow or orange or even brown. One day everything seems green. The next? It's an explosion of fall colors. I love that!! The only downside is that this color burst lasts roughly 7-10 days. A relentless rain never fails to beat all the pretty leaves to the ground. Then the world becomes dreary and gray.

Things I can't live without in autumn? 

- A fire in our fireplace on cold Sundays
- A cozy blanket to wrap up in
- Cinnamon flavored cream for my coffee
- Winter squash
- Apples in my crisper
- Mashed potatoes (and roast beef)
- FOOTBALL!!
- Long walks through the wooded park nearby
- The sun on my face even when it's getting cold
- A pretty fall wreath on my door
- Several bags of Halloween candy to be eaten by yours truly
- The anticipation of the upcoming holidays
- Replacing my light summer quilt with a heavier bedspread

Each season holds a special spot in my heart, and autumn is right up there!!

What says autumn to you?

Have a terrific day!!

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Autumn Urgency? Not Yet!

I'm not feeling the fall season yet. Sure, the kids are back in school. Yes, football is back on television. But the temperatures have been hotter (much hotter!) for three weeks than they were in July and early August. I'm feeling more of a lazy-late-summer vibe than the typical autumn urgency.

I know I'm in the minority on this. How do I know? On Facebook I keep seeing references to how many weeks are left until Christmas. *shuddering* And Pinterest is full of fall decorating pins, pumpkin spice recipes, and, yes, Christmas ideas.

It's not that I'm against autumn--I'm not! I love this time of year. Love the pretty leaves sailing down from the trees. Love the crisp air, long walks through the woods, wrapping up in a cozy blanket, slow-cooked chili. Yep. Autumn is awesome.

But let me get out of my shorts first. :)

Have you been bitten by the autumn bug? Please tell me you don't have Christmas fever yet!!

Have a terrific day!

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4 Things I Love This Week

Four Things I Love This Week:

1. My local walking route exploded in autumn colors, and I actually jogged most of the route!

2. Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd rocked my world. Several people recommended this book to me in the comment section of one of my old blog posts. I finally got around to reading it. Wow!! 

3. The movie, Enchanted April, charmed the socks off me. Gorgeous setting, terrific characters, and happily-ever-afters all around--what more could I ask for?

4. Still haven't turned on the furnace. For those of you who endure cold winters, you know the mental satisfaction of keeping that furnace idle as long as possible!

What are you loving this week?

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

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Autumn Thoughts in Hot Weather

Hmm... Notice anything strange lately? It's past mid-September, and it's still pretty warm in my neck of the woods! Usually I would be wearing jeans and a long-sleeve tee. Maybe a hoodie. But right now I'm hot. Humid hot. I'm wearing shorts every day and not even thinking about packing my flip-flops away. What is this strange phenomenon?


The unusually warm weather has not stopped me from dreaming of autumn. Colorful leaves, crisp air, apple orchards, hot cocoa, curling up with a good book and a blanket--I anticipate them all. Yes, I love fall!

Tons of swoon-worthy reading spots have popped up in Pinterest lately. Cozy, overstuffed chairs next to a fireplace get me every time. Or the table settings with pumpkins and lit candles--yes, I'll take one of those. Pie recipes, chili recipes, and biscuit recipes have me drooling.

Magazine covers beg me to buy them. Halloween candy beckons at the supermarket. Let's not forget about harvest festivals and trick-or-treating. Football is in full swing, and I make a lot (A LOT) of nachos in October and November. Why not?

The only thing I get a bit sad about is the waning sunlight. Our days grow really short around here. Gone are my long walks outdoors. Hello, moon, at 6pm!

This morning Sophie, my mini-dachshund, trotted into the living room with a brown leaf in her mouth. Then she proceeded to shred it to bits. Even she loves fall! And I have a feeling the cooler weather is right around the corner...

What do you love about autumn? What don't you love?

Have a terrific day!

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