Being from Southern California, I love my cut-off shorts and flip flops. But there’s something to be said for boots, hats and scarves. Not only is the look fashionable, but unlike in warm California, they’re must-have accessories for our chilly seasonal weather change. And the upcoming season just happens to be my absolute favorite: Fall.
One of the things I cherish most about this season is our annual family trips to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Once upon a time, my family did these outings in 80-degree weather wearing shorts and flip flops. It just feels right now that the weather (and attire!) fits the season.
Another reason to love fall is football. Honestly, I am not much of a football fan myself, but my husband is, and it comes with the package so I am OK with that. There is something relaxing about hearing the football game on in the house while the kids are outside playing (not complaining about mosquito bites) and I’m in the kitchen trying a new Pinterest recipe. This sums up a typical autumn Sunday in my house.
Speaking of recipes, slow-cooked stews, pot pies, hearty soups, roasts and casseroles are more reasons to love fall. Plus, now the beer, coffee and desserts are all pumpkin-flavored! What’s not to love about that? And you can finally light up fall-scented candles like “Sugar and Spice” and “Autumn in the Park.” All these amazing fall scents are so cozy and comforting.
To top it off, how about the return of all your favorite TV shows? I love to snuggle up in my favorite blanket, put on a fire in the living room, light a candle and hit play on my DVR. Pure bliss!
And how about the seasonal outdoor changes fall brings? The trees are stunning and the ground is gleaming. The air is crisp and mornings are golden and misty. Just hearing the word “fall,” brings to mind images of brightly colored foliage. And who can resist jumping in raked piles of those beautiful leaves? It’s like a childhood rite of passage. (And the photo-ops make for great Instagram posts!)
Last but not least, my absolute favorite thing about fall is also my favorite holiday: Halloween. From decorating to dressing up and trick-or-treating, I do it all! With a 9-year-old and a 4-year-old at home, I do not censor my Halloween décor one bit. I make sure my kids know the monsters and skeletons displayed all over the house are just for fun and not real. After all, Halloween is supposed to be spooky. In my house, that’s just the way it goes! Luckily, my kids enjoy the eerie stuff just as much as I do.
This year we moved to a new neighborhood and I volunteered to host our neighborhood’s first pre-trick-or-treating block party in my front lawn. Let the Pinterest mania begin! Themed snacks include blood-spatter cookies, vampire-bite cupcakes and mini-donut spiders. Spider-lit centerpieces, mummy jars and a makeshift graveyard are just some of my ideas for my horror-house in the making. I can’t wait!
After 90 days of summer, I always look forward to fall. No matter what your fall favorites are, I wish you fun times and warm memories. I’m off to try some new recipes, jump in some leaves and scare up some Halloween screams. Hurray for fall!
Pauline Ray
Advertising Executive
Washington FAMILY Magazine
