Soaking up the Fall

My blog background isn't just a nod to the current season, it is an homage to my favorite season!  For as long as I can remember, fall as been my most anticipated time of year.  I have been lucky to spend most of my life in places that have beautiful falls.  New York's summers and winters leave a lot to be desired, but fall there is amazing - all the leaves change colors, there is a crispness to the air before the bitter winds of winter set in and there seems to be a general air of festivity.  I happen to love all of Portland's seasons, but fall is especially amazing.  Then there were my four years in Los Angeles...not so much fall happening there. Since I am soon moving to the land of no seasons, I am pleased to be spending this fall in Denver, where I can soak up most of my favorite things about the season.  Hopefully it will hold me for a few years before I can make my way to another beautiful autumn.   Here is why I love fall (and I realize that these things are kind of cliche, but they truly are my favorites, so who cares?)

• The colors.  Purple, brown, orange, red, green, yellow.  It's a rainbow every time I go outside!  

• Piles of leaves.  When I was a kid, I always wanted to rake up all the leaves into big piles and then jump in them, like kids did on TV.  I don't actually remember if I ever did this, but I still get a nostalgic feeling when I see all the leaves on the ground, or even better, piles of raked up leaves!  (Does anyone actually rake leaves anymore, or does everyone just use a leaf blower?  I need to make a mental note to rake leaves at least once if I ever get my own yard...)

• The weather.  Jeans and sweaters are pretty much my favorite clothing items, but I also hate having to bundle up with a coat, scarf and gloves.  Fall provides the perfect balance for me.  I can wear what I love both inside and outside without a lot of effort.  And, I can spend time outside without being sweaty or freezing, neither of which I enjoy very much.

• The food.  Hot apple cider, chicken soup and dumplings, beef stew, pot roast, enchiladas, pie. Yum!  Sure, I could enjoy these foods any time of year, but the warmth and comfort they provide seems most appropriate for when the weather is just starting to cool off.  

• My favorite holiday.  If there is one thing I love more than fall, it is Thanksgiving.  What is better than a holiday dedicated to food and family?  It's pretty hard to Hallmark it up, too, although people have tried. But there just isn't much to commercialize about a good meal and spending time with loved ones.  And, you really don't need a crap ton of money to feel like you are making the most of it. The whole fall season seems to lead up to this down-home, humble holiday.  Just thinking about it makes me giddy!

• Fall activities.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to participate in some of my favorites this year, but in the past I have enjoyed visits to pumpkin patches, hikes amongst the changing leaves, and apple picking.  I just love the whole harvest spirit that surrounds these activities and the season.  

There you have it.  How about you?  Anyone else with me on Fall?  Did I leave something out?  Have a different favorite season?