Helloo October

I just love autumn. Someone once told me that we most love the season into which we were born. It stands true for me. There's nothing like a hot thermos of tea and a wool blanket on the sidelines of a great football game. (It's especially nice if the winds are not howling about your ears!)

We were supposed to have the last football game of the boy's season yesterday, but alas, the monsoon rains of the last two days were enough to make the football gurus nervous about the amount of foot traffic on the field hosing it for those who usually use it -- the JV team. I'm sure they were correct. So our last game will have to be played next Saturday. Of course, I had hopes of getting to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard that day, but perhaps Sunday will suffice.

Yup. I love it. Apples, pumpkins, root veggies, football, hot drinks, crock pot meals, the fire pit....bring it on.

I Know It's Fall When

1. The dogs begin to burrow -- in the bed, on the couch, in your lap....

2. We have butternut squash and sweet potatoes in the same week.

3. My poncho is draped over the bannister, right near the front door, ready to go out.

4. I'm spending more time under the covers myself.

5. I can't wait to go to the pumpkin patch.

6. The air smells so much crisper, more alive.

7. I suddenly feel the urge to buy new crayons, or sharpies, or uniball pens.

8. I start working on my Christmas list, wondering if I have enough time to make this or that.

9. I am not assaulted with the hum of 25 mowers going at once in the neighborhood.

10. I want to have fire in the fire pit every night.

End of Summer

I can't believe we are here already. I know, I know, everyone always says the same thing. But it truly hits me upside the head every year -- the going back to school. I am never ready to see summer come to an end. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see the humidity die down, the heat come under control, the mosquitoes go into hibernation. But I am never ready for school to start. I mean, it feels like my kid just ran all the way from the bus stop screaming, "no more school!" Wasn't that yesterday? We've been having so much fun in the garden, and at the lake, holding camp, playing games, and doing puzzles (ok, I was the one that did the puzzle). And now it's coming to a screeching halt. Our back-to-school social is Thursday. THURSDAY!

School will bring with it its own rewards (and hardships). And fall; I have a love affair with fall too. Just thinking about new school supplies, pumpkins, bon fires, crock pots bubbling, and piles and piles of leaves makes me swoon. I can already smell it in the air.

But there is nothing like the lazy days of summer. Good bye old friend. We'll miss you. (You should probably rest up; we'll be playing harder and faster next summer, I have no doubt.)

Early Morning

I used to be an early riser, always, no matter what. Now I am what I would call a "seasonal riser" - one who rises more or less with the sun. Winter makes me want to burrow deeper into the covers and sleep. But as spring slowly graces us with her presence, I find myself compelled to get up earlier and see what she has to offer. We've had some glorious weather this last week and I am completely smitten with it.

Today, I was up much earlier than normal. We had another morning detention to attend. (Don't even get me started on the ways I think it's ridiculous...) And, ironically, I was so glad. The ground fog this morning was glorious! I kept commenting about it all the way to school. I think Hayes thought I was a bit daft. I was wishing so much that I had tucked my camera in my bag, because the ruby sunrise was to die for. I did manage to get a few snaps in the back 40 before the sun was to high.

When I turned around, I saw our garden shrouded in the fog, and fell in love with it all over again. I can't wait to see that wisteria on the pergola.

And here are a few I just couldn't resist. The Red Twig Dogwood is spectacularly red this year. And our daffodils have started to bloom. Spring is coming.