I think I'm falling for fall

This time of the year has been hard for me ever since we moved to Virginia. Fall is my favorite time of the year, at least fall in Pennsylvania it is.

Fall is the best season for so many reasons. The cooler, crisp air smells rich and earthy from all the leaves on the ground and the summer heat has finally broke but it's still not freezing as in winter. The leaves are turning beautiful warm colors-the reds, yellows, oranges, gold and browns. This is especially amazing when overlooking the PA Grand Canyon in Wellsboro, PA.

It's also time for apples freshly plucked from the tree, possibly even by your own hand, pumpkins - not imported but right from the source, the pumpkin patch itself. It's a time for warmed apple cider, hay rides and corn stalks.

We would pick our pumpkins, take them home and carve beautiful pictures into them, roast the seeds in the oven and then decorate the apartment for Halloween. I would burn apple scented and pumpkin spice candles which seemed to fill our home with a nice warm heavenly aroma that blanketed me from the slight chill.

The slight chill was welcomed too though because it brought people together. Friends over for dinner and games, more hugs from family and relief that winter hasn't yet touched.

We would run to the stores in September to pick out patterns, fabrics and supplies and piece together amazing costumes and proudly wear them for Halloween.

Where we are now, it's hard to tell that the season's changing. Outside I look to see still green grass, green trees, green plants hanging over the fence. Most days go by without the need for even a light jacket. Pumpkins are brought in and most people, if they buy them at all, get them at Wal~Mart and Food Lion. It's not the same. In order to get a hint of fall (pumpkins, gourds, apples and cider) I have to go to Wal~Mart and that's depressing.We haven't decorated yet, and we probably won't go all out like we used to.

I'm going to look online for some fall related activities to take the baby to. I just bought a pumpkin spice candle and I might try to simulate the chill with the AC. I think the thing that really gets to me is that I never took any pictures of all the fall things that I love so much. I think that I spent so much time enjoying fall that I didn't stop and think to take a picture.