The change of seasons

Fall is here.

Our garden has long ago yielded its last bounty.

The leaves are turning shades of bright orange and burning red.

Days of splashing in the pool with my littles, spending all day outside with the neighborhood children, and going for runs early in the morning are coming to a close.

While my summer was full of time with family – carefree and whimsical, fall reminds me to hold my family close.

Some of my dear family travel to warmer climates; others soak up the outdoors knowing a cold Midwest winter soon will follow.

My family enjoys fall (despite its being a precursor for the aforementioned winter). There is apple-picking, (a lot of) baking, pumpkin pie, yummy candles and that cozy feeling of sitting around the fireplace wrapped up in blankets while reading stories.

There will be game nights, popcorn on the stove, trips to the pumpkin patch, matching aprons while cooking for family and friends – yep, I love that my daughters now both can cook with me – crisp mid-morning walks, fall leaf mosaics and being thankful for the many gifts we have been given, friends we have made and family that lives sooooo close.

It sounds a little idyllic, I know.

Fall is also filled with colds, runny noses, rain, sometimes bone-chilling temps (we need to get prepped for sub-zero winter weather somehow, right?).

I tend to get nostalgic when I pull out the autumnal decorations with their warm hues. So, I choose to be thankful for the beauty that surrounds us during this season – the smell of applesauce simmering in my crock-pot, freshly-baked pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice granola in my oven and warm vanilla candles.