Autumn

Autumn is my favorite season, although my allergies might beg to differ. Today is the ideal example of a perfect fall day. The temperature is in the low seventies. The sky is a clear, cloudless, bright crystal blue. The leaves on the trees range from pale green to yellow to orange to deep red.


(c) 2009 Dodie Sheffield



Here are just some of the reasons why I love this time of year…

Although it’s sad to see the withering of the last summer blooms, it is so rewarding to plant hardy, colorful mums in their place.

Football season is in full swing and we can look forward to basketball season.

Pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn adorn front porches and steps throughout my neighborhood.

Visiting the orchard is rewarded with fresh-from-the tree crisp apples, a caramel apple or two, and a gallon of tart apple cider for the fridge.

A lifelong rush of weenie roast and s’mores memories hits you the first time you step out of your backdoor at night and smell the wonderful scent of wood smoke from someone’s fire pit or fireplace.



(c) 2009 Dodie Sheffield

There is soothing, calming, added joy from a neighborhood walk when the leaves are crunching beneath your every step.

Cooler weather means you can dig your favorite old sweatshirt out of the back of the closet and slip on its comfortable softness to chase away that autumn chill.

Both the aroma and taste of coffee and hot tea are so much more enjoyable when there’s a slight chill in the air.

Our wedding anniversary (18 years on October 30th)!

The slow cooker makes its way from the bottom kitchen cabinet to the countertop and wonderful roasts, soups, and stews greet your family at the end of the day.

Weekend days not spent raking leaves are spent at craft fairs and fall festivals.

Candy corn!

Pumpkin is infused into everything – lattes, cookies, muffins, bread, cakes, pies, and more.

And finally, I love every single thing about Halloween, including my husband Phillip and his over-the-top front yard cemetery, complete with fog machines and scary sound effects!



(c) 2010 Dodie Sheffield

  Is fall your favorite time of year too? If so, what would you add to my list?