It felt like fall when we hiked near home in the Hocking Hills of Ohio last night. Breezy and cool with occasional pops of color in the quiet woods made for perfect conditions.
I wouldn’t hate summer so much if it were more like this!
We all know this is Fool’s Fall. Summer will return with a vengeance on Saturday and I will be angry again. But I’ll enjoy this respite while it lasts and will look forward to the real deal in a few weeks.
It’s Wednesday, friends. Try to make it a good one!
The overnight temperature on my ridgetop dropped to 59 degrees overnight. I don’t care if it is still hot during the day: it’s time to start gathering up the fall movies and books, begin working on indoor decor for fall and to embrace pumpkin spice and everything nice.
Call it jumping the gun if you will but it is time for change.
Friends, I am tired. I’m tired of being hot. I’m sick of summer blockbusters at the movie theater. I’m over my summer wardrobe and I’ve had enough of poison ivy and bugs.
I’m over it all and ready to move forward into a season where the sun doesn’t hurt your skin and where the humidity doesn’t take your breath away. I’m ready for boots and comfy sweaters. I’ll take When Harry Met Sally with a side of potato soup and some homemade cookies, please.
Friends, I want to be cold and then I want to curl up with a soft, fuzzy blanket and be warm and happy. I want to sniff cinnamon while reading an Alice Hoffman book with her patented mystic style and beautiful prose. I want to stomp through a pile of fallen leaves.
To be clear, I understand that it’s still summer and that we will be punished by summer’s heat for a while longer (like a month and a half longer).
I understand that it’s too early for blankets and pumpkins but that’s ok because my mental health says it’s time.
If summer is your thing, I hope you go stand outside and soak in all the heat you can absorb. Treat yourself to a slushie and chase those lightning bugs. Live it up!
Meanwhile, I’ll be admiring my scarves and pulling out fall decor!
A word to the wise though. As we approach fall, please remember the infamous words of Linus in the classic cartoon It’s A Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
Never jump in a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.
Have a great day, friends!
The urge to transition from summer into fall is becoming intense. This is never a surprise given how much I prefer fall over summer but it’s surprising that I’m already thinking about it.
I typically make it to Labor Day before indoor decor transitions to pumpkins and plaids, woodsy aromas and piles of recipes for soups and baked goods. It’s normally late September before I pull out a few Halloween decorations and begin stockpiling mums, asters and pumpkins on the front porch like some sort of pumpkin spice emergency may lie ahead.
And yet, here we are.
We’ve recently had a couple of mornings that felt like fall. Low sixties with blue skies and a slight rustle in the trees feel refreshing enough to trick you into believing summer will be over soon.
I have already started a stack of movies, books and tv shows for fall and am thinking about recipes. I’ve been looking for some vintage amber glassware and am wishing I had planted some pumpkins. How fun would it be to have your own backyard pumpkin patch?
I always say that half the fun is in the planning and anticipation. I suppose this will give me plenty of time to be ready!!
If you asked me to rank the seasons starting with my favorite, it would be Fall, Winter and then Spring. Summer is so unpleasant it doesn’t merit a mention.
Ask me about my favorite month of the year and October is a clear winner. There’s nothing like October with its moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings. The sky is typically a pleasant blue and the light turns golden, creating spectacular photo opportunities at nearly any time of day.
Late bloomers in my flower beds hang on until the first hard frost and the landscape is dotted with colorful mums, marigolds and asters. Grown adults get excited about pumpkins and some of us still roll up our sleeves to carve a Jack-o’-lantern.
Cute hats, scarves, boots and sweaters begin to replace shorts and t-shirts and not a moment too soon. Summer clothes are rarely a good look for me. Not to mention the joy of having soup simmering and hot chocolate at the ready.
And the events! Let’s not forget all the fun events that come with this month. In fact, it feels like there are too many activities to pack into just 31 days. Ghost walks, fall festivals, open houses and so much more offer opportunities to explore.
Truth be told, I almost welcome the fall rains that set in come November. As much joy as October brings, I teeter on the edge of ready for a break from all the running by the time the weather turns sour.
Almost but not quite. After all, who would wish away all this happiness?
I plan to hike more than normal this fall and to study the foliage maps to make sure I’m maximizing exposure to all the pretty leaves in my weekend wanderings. I’m going to make popcorn for special couch time screenings of It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and a few other seasonal classics. Maybe I’ll even buy some Halloween candy.
There is much happiness to be discovered in October and I solemnly swear to do my best to enjoy life to its fullest this month. After all, life is short and a gal only gets so many chances to savor her favorite month.
To quote Victorian era author L.M. Montgomery “I’m so glad I live in a world with Octobers.”
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” – Sarah Addison Allen
We are expecting rain here in southern Ohio today. I intend to use this day for rest and some much needed catch up work around the house. If I play my cards right, I’ll make time to cook something tasty and nutritious for this week’s lunches as well.
Not every day can be for adventures. Sometimes we have to stay home and recover – or better yet – prepare for what’s ahead! Enjoy this day, friends!
Yesterday took me to Columbus for some antiquing and for a stroll around Franklin Park Conservatory.
It was surprisingly quiet at Franklin Park and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the facility and grounds in search of the colors and textures of this season.
This is one of my favorite trees in the world but it’s especially beautiful right now.
They do a great job with colorful outdoor exhibits that can be enjoyed by day and by night when they are lit for a family friendly Halloween event.
There are a couple of pumpkin houses – one made for the small fry and the other big enough for grown ups.
There’s an extensive model railroad with a variety of trains and village pieces tucked into the landscaping.
And lots of pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns.
Plus, there are some fun Halloween decorations here and there.
This is a safe space to explore with your kids, a lovely spot to meander with your own thoughts and a beautiful place to stroll and catch up with a friend.
I spent most of my time outside yesterday but there’s a lot to see inside too. Want to learn more? Click here to visit their website.