My (not so secret) Love Affair

I’ve written about it before.  Several times, actually.  It was probably around this time last year that I first opened up about it on the blog–The relationship that sends my heart a pitter-pattering and my eyes roaming everywhere with feelings of excitement, love, and wonder. . . feelings that seem to run throughout my entire body.  I should probably simmer down a bit or at least keep it to myself. . . but I just can’t.  My love is real and I want to shout it out. . .

I LOVE FALL!

 I’ve been intentional about coercing my kids into developing this love story with Fall.  Most kids have a countdown to Christmas or birthday’s. . . my kids have a countdown to Fall.  How many days until Fall, Mommy?. . . I’ve heard it more than a few times.  I smile and give them the number and hear the enthusiastic, Yes! that follows.  I’m not sure what they think will happen once Fall is here, but I do my best to talk her up.

Do you know that tomorrow, September 23rd, is the first day of Fall?  Such a short season, but such a beautiful one.  I begin my lookout late August and as soon as I see those big, think, low, fluffy clouds I begin to declare it to anyone who will listen.. . . Neighbors, clients, friends, family, and strangers have all heard it. . .

Fall is near!

Of course, we all look forward to the transition of the leaves.  Leaves that begin a shade of green suddenly turn a vibrant yellow, orange, or red.  This beats the magic of pulling a rabbit out of a hat any day.

Oh, it happens so fast and maybe that is what makes it so special.  Before I know it the red leaves are forfeited to the ground creating a melodic crunch, crunch, crunch under my feet that is unmatched by any top ten song. 

Yeah, I like fall, but it’s not just the beauty in nature.  For some reason, Fall evokes a feeling.  I love to drive around and see pumpkins sitting on porches and bails of hay acting as perches for fall decorations.  Scented candles, hay rides, corn mazes, bon fires, and football games.  It’s all just so. . . inviting.

This year I jumped the gun a bit and plan to stretch the season out as long as I can.  The kids and I went to a store and I just couldn’t help myself.  Scarecrows, pumpkins, apples, squash, mums. . . we had to dive in. 

Dive in we did. . .

You know where this is going, don’t you?  What can I say?  The caramel was on sale.  Caramel Apples are a necessity.

Of course we can’t just do plain old caramel apples. . . if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right.

This is a fun way to spend a morning.

Charlie has quite the imagination

In all reality, I long for the kids to have memories that they will take with them and pass on to their own kids.  I hope that they will tell stories about “when I was young” or when Fall approaches I hope that they feel shudders of excitement as they remember the fun things we did.

In our house, we can’t declare it officially fall until the first batch of candy corn is purchased.  Can I get an amen?

Unfortunately, my pregnant self finds these awesome creations less than appealing at the moment, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling that tinge of nostalgia every time I see those yellow, white, and orange candies displayed proudly in the candy dish. 

And even though it’s a bit early to purchase our pumpkins for carving, I just couldn’t resist Charlie’s big brown eyes when he asked if we could bring a small pumpkin home from the store.  What can I say? It’s fall and I’m a sucker. . .

They may not be able to carve these little guys, but they did what they could.  And when the pumpkins were perfect. . . they moved on. . .

Like I said. . . it’s fall and I’m a sucker. 

The other thing about fall is that it seems to bring out the more adventurous side in me.  I’m not sure if it’s just the slowing down of life or if the new season means new adventure.  Today’s adventure involved this little guy. . .

Mr. Butternut.  While the thought of candy corn is anything but appealing, turning this guy into soup sounded fabulous.  I had never done it and thankfully, my favorite helper was at my side every step of the way.  From here. . .

To here. . .

To here. . .

Finally, to here. . .

I must say, this Butternut Squash Bisque was excellent. It was warm, healthy, easy to make and a perfect fall soup.  De-lish!  Recipe, here. 

After all these years, this love affair continues.  It’s not just one thing I love about her–it’s everything.  The colors, the crisp air and cool nights, the sweatshirts and jeans, and the harvest moon.  It’s all just so–beautiful.  More than anything, though, it’s the feeling that separates these short months from other seasons and keeps my flame burning fiercely.  And guess what? It’s only the beginning!

Happy Fall everyone!!