Hello, Fall!

I’m giddy with the excitement of change! I love the changing seasons because everything seems fresh and new. Every year, I anxiously await October because fall is my favorite.  While some aren’t a fan of change, it excites me. I’m always welcome fall with wide open arms!

 Here are the things that I love most about fall…

 I love the crisp air and clear, blue skies. I love the beauty of the vibrant leaves. Not too hot and not too cold, fall is the epitome of perfection.

I love decorating. From year to year, I forget what I have hidden in those black and orange rubbermaid boxes in the attic. It’s so much fun sorting through the treasures I’ve collected over the years. For a month and a half, our house is transformed into a wonderland of  sparkling fall glory.

I love sipping hot beverages. Apple cider, spiced tea, and hot chocolate make the list!  There’s something so cozy about sipping hot beverages!

I love our  family camping trip to the mountains. I’m not usually a camping sort-of-girl. In fact, the only time I camp is in the mountains, during the fall. Camping in Roan Mountain brings back the best memories of years past. Nothing is better than sitting by a campfire, clothed in a warm sweatshirt, roasting marshmallows. Camping in the fall really makes you appreciate the beauty of nature.

I love wearing layers of clothes. After baring an alarming amount of skin this summer, I am ready to layer on the comfy sweaters and fluffy scarves. No more swimsuits for the next six months! I am loving this vest and plaid shirt combo that I found on Pinterest.  I must have a chunky gold necklace and plaid!

I love fall baking. For me, the summer months consist of salads and fresh garden fare. In the fall, with less yard work to do, I like to spend my spare time baking goodies. My goal this year is to find healthier alternatives to my usual less-than-nutritious recipes. Over the weekend, I tried a broiled grapefruit for breakfast.  It was delicious! I’m not sure if it counts as baking, but I’m counting it since I used an oven. Who needs cakes filled with sugar and flour when you can have God-created treats that are filled with vitamins! To make the broiled grapefruit, I sliced the fruit in half and sectioned it. After putting it on a foil lined pan, I topped it with sliced bananas, brown sugar( I used sugar free brown sugar) , cinnamon, and ginger. You could even omit the brown sugar and drizzle it with honey. I broiled it for a few minutes until it began to brown. I liked that it was hot and carmelized on top, but still cool in the middle. If you wanted it hot all the way through, you could bake it for a longer time. Yum!

I’m grateful to live in North Carolina with it’s ever-changing seasons. For now, I will bask in the beauty of fall. When fall is over, I am  sure  I will welcome winter just as enthusiastically,  with it’s promise of holidays and the possibility of snow. With age, I’ve learned to embrace change. Change is beautiful!

 Which season is your favorite?