Autumn is . . .

Autumn is. . . my favorite season – hands down.  My heart warms as summer starts fading into fall, and the air turns crisper and cooler.  I love the way the trees start to tease us with their hints of color and I love being able to deeply inhale the scents that are associated with a crisp autumn breeze: the rustic smell of leaves and tree bark, the warm smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and freshly baked bread, and the smell of outdoor festivals which have their own unique but wondrous scent. 

This fall seemed to be coming a bit more slowly than in previous years, as summer seemed to cling onto the branches for eternity, but upon waking this morning I knew that fall was here and summer had ended.  We may get one or two more warm days, but the majority of days will be clean, cool, and sunny.  Even the rainy days seem magical to me at this time of year. Autumn is also the season of change for me.  Obviously, the biggest change is the color of the leaves prior to their fall, but I also change as well.  I tend to slow down and become more appreciative of every part of my life.  I focus more on family and warm, home-cooked meals.  My home turns into a festive abode, complete with the scents and tastes of the season.  I also bunker down with books and some sort of craft/activity this time of year. 

This year, my activity is improving my writing skills which have drastically dwindled over the past years.  My current book is The Time Traveler’s Wife (please don’t ruin it for me as I have yet to finish it or see the movie).  My desire right now is to decorate for fall.  My taste right now is for warm bread with a nice, hearty casserole.  My favorite scent of the moment is “Autumn Leaves” from Yankee Candle.  My favorite part of my day is relaxing on the sofa with my husband, reflecting on the blessings the Lord has provided for us.  Yes, it’s fair to say that I love fall and all the aspects of my life that change each year as the season begins.

I find myself wondering that perhaps this fall is also a time for change in regards to our family.  Maybe this will be the season that welcomes a positive pregnancy test and all the happiness, fear, and concern that goes along with it.  Or maybe this season will just be a time for us to be thankful for what we have and build our relationship even more as man and wife.  Whichever way it ends up turning out, this season is a blessing from God and I intend to enjoy every moment of it, confident that His plan will work just as it’s supposed to.

Is this your favorite season? If so, why?

One of the last "green" pictures of our tree line during our 1.5 mile walk.  I'll be sure to include the changing colors throughout September and October.