Fall

My favorite time of year is fall, to me it represents transformation, and change. It's the time of year to reflect on our growth and embrace change. While change can be scary, the colorful leaves remind us that there is beauty in it too. There are so many ways to enjoy this season, including seasonal recipes (chili is my favorite), arts and crafts and even Halloween! These past few weekends, we participated in all the fun activities. We picked, and carved a pumpkin, made an apple pie, and chili, had a campfire or two, made S'mores and even handed out candy to the local ghouls and goblins. There is something about little kids in costumes, that still gets to me. Fall also brings the harvest, all the cold weather vegetables, like carrots and salad greens have been gathered and the garden tilled for next season. The grass has been fed, the leaves have been raked (repeatedly), and summer clothes have been put away.

Fall, also ushers in the most magical time of year, in my opinion, the holidays! We get prepared by slowing down, post summer, and completing winterizing tasks that we put off till the very end, such as cleaning the gutters and installing storm windows. In my house, the Christmas lights are already out (not up), being tested and repaired. I'm ready to start the process of putting away the fall decor, cleaning, and decorating for the season. I'm ready to bake cookies, gather with friends and family, and do all the Christmas shopping, but not before enjoying the last few weeks of fall. Maybe I will even try a pumpkin spiced latte, can you believe, I have never had one?

How do you and your family celebrate fall?