My Love Affair with Autumn

Picture I took back in Birmingham at the Pepper Place Farmer's Market

Do you remember the first time you fell in love with a season? I mean, seriously took note of how the earth transformed, and felt how marvelous this transition was?

I do. I was probably 9.

It was probably in late September or early October, and it was an unseasonably (for down here,) cool afternoon. I remember sitting on the cold metal staircase outside my apartment complex, just relaxing and listening to the wind. I assume no one could come out to play, and apparently I did not want to sit in the house. Actually, I never liked sitting in the house. If I have a choice to go outside or sit inside - I always choose the out-of-doors.

What I saw that day would forever change my life. The trees were swaying too and fro, and the wind was so strong that I remember my long, brown hair getting wrapped around my face and stinging my eyes. Once I was able to fully remove the strands from my face, I watched as hundreds of black birds flew in perfect formation over our home. I do not believe I had ever seen as many birds before or since. What surprises me, to this day, was how it affected me. I remember tears welling up in my eyes as I watched this marvelous natural occurrence.. my little world transition; I was simply blown away. 

Whenever I look back on Fall or Autumn (whichever way you like to call it,) I remember that day. I can still smell the dead leaves- that crispy, balsam-like, sweet scent. I remember the sounds of the "kaw kaw kaw" of the black birds, and the way the wind rushed past my ears making that "air thru a tunnel" sound you are familiar with at the beach. I remember how the sun hid behind the clouds, and how for the first time in many, many months, I needed a jacket. This feeling.. these memories.. that is when my love affair with Autumn began.

I can tell it is trying to make an appearance down here. My little herb garden has all but dried up for the season. My flowers are no longer blooming. I even have a slight cough (ragweed season,) and I feel a little bit chillier each morning. Of course, it is hot as hades down here, but just before the day really gets going, and right before I go to bed, it is comfortable again. This feeling is what I yearn for.

I have plans this holiday season. Plans to not only watch as the earth transitions, but to allow myself to transition along with it. I will probably know where my next full time job will be, and if not, it is a sign to move on again. So many good things will happen this season, and I welcome it with open arms - and a pumpkin spice latte. ;-)

100 Degrees and Fall is in the Air

The title probably makes very little sense to you. 

I understand that.

It's super hot outside. From about lunch time to 6pmish, I am sweating buckets and running for air conditioned cover. However, with all of this heat, something else is happening... I am noticing that I am waking up with swollen, watery eyes.

My friends... Fall IS in the air. The only difference is, the air is not cool.

*sigh*

Yes, now my season of sniffles and what not shall begin. Just give me a few weeks and I will have my one big super duper sinus infection of the season.

I still love this time of year.. regardless of the blur it causes with my vision- despite the itching and pressure.. it remains one of my favorite times of year.

I am ready for the warm shades and jewel tones to reappear. I am ready to smell dead leaves. I want to enter someone's home and get all wrapped up in the warmth of Cinnamon and apples. I want to see everything shift to pumpkin spice.. and break out those beautiful clothes, which to this day, remain my favorite to wear.

I love my scarves. I love my boots. I love the way my hair smells in colder weather. I like that I can actually take a deep breath, and not feel like I am in a sauna. I like that I can wear something more than once, without having to over wash it and destroy the fabric.

It's time. 

What are you most looking forward too?

Autumn Equinox

Let the countdown begin! For me, this is absolutely my FAVORITE time of year. Chock full of holidays, beautiful colors, rich aromas, and fantastic weather.

Perhaps because I live in such a hot and humid part of the world, Autumn brings with it a certain relief, and for once, we southerners can take a moment and just breathe. Honestly, most of our winter probably feels like your Fall, but we welcome it all the same.

What I find most fascinating about today is the fact that during the Equinox, there is supposed to be equal parts day and night, a celestial balance, if you will. I have to believe that perhaps this will have an affect on all of us - in a good way. Lord knows, I need a sense of balance in my life, and I pray that today we all get a little of that.

I wanted to thank each of you for your fantastic comments on both the blog, in personal emails and for "liking" the pictures on my FB fan page. Though I don't always respond, know that I read each one and it makes me smile. Welcome also to the new followers! I promise to get by all of your blogs soon, and wish only to strike up a wonderful conversation with you on this blog and your own.

You might be wondering what "Autumn-esque" plans do I have for today? Well, for one I will be doing a little walking. Not for fun, but for work. We have 150 honors students from Morehouse and Spellman (in Atlanta - if you aren't familiar, it's like the Ivy League of Historically Black Colleges,) and we plan to take them from our old museum to the new building and back to the Douglas Theater (where Little Richard and Otis Redding got their big start.) It's all within a few blocks, but I get to be the little ring leader escorting them around.

After that, I plan to come home and bake my very first Pumpkin Pie! I know, I know.. crazy?! I've always just bought the pre-made kind, but this time.. I really want to try it myself.

I've also been invited to camp with my sister and niece tonight in my parent's woods. Though it sounds like fun, I am debating - since I don't have a sleeping bag. I know I can make do with what I have, it's just more fun to do things the right way, not to mention, it's supposed to get a little chilly tonight. Who knows! I just might do it. They plan to have a cookout and everything. It could be worth it.. hmmm..

I even have my Fall/Winter clothes storage bag pulled out. That's a project in and of itself, and I hope to tackle it.. maybe while the pies are baking?? I also plan to reorganize my closet in general. I've been in my new home for 3 months now, and my closet is finally starting to look a little plundered through.

What plans do you have for the day? I wish you nothing but happiness, sunshine, cool breezes and hopefully, a little balance.

Until next time...

Celebration of the Seasons

Even though Autumn does not officially start until almost the end of September, I've always thought of September, October and November as Fall. Regardless of how extremely hot it is, how so much like August it feels, to me.. September counts as the beginning of Fall.

This time last year I was still in Birmingham. Not quite at the point of throwing in the towel, yet I was deeply concerned about my future. Times have changed COMPLETELY, and now that I have gotten a better handle on most things in my life, I believe it is finally time to embrace my new chapter.

I am working, the egyptian is working, we have a great place to live, our family is nearby, new friends are being made daily, while old friendships are rekindled ~ things are almost where they should be. (Pending a few random things here and there.)

With all of this going on, I thought maybe it's time to give myself a little challenge of sorts. I like forcing myself to figure things out or to look at things a little differently. One thing that I am hypersensitive to is the whole concept of seasons and holidays. My favorite time of year is here and why not celebrate with all of my heart and soul. That's something I can control. Something I can do.

Something I can share.

I am trying to come up with a list of activities I want to accomplish over the next three months. Fall activities that will inspire me, uplift me, and forever leave a lasting imprint on this year. Some things stick out immediately: Hay rides, making caramel apples, eating candy corn, and let's not forget that first sip of a Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks. But there has GOT to be more.

That's where you come in.

I need ideas. I want you to leave comments below with suggestions for my Autumn Challenge. Three months of embracing all that comes with the changing of the season. Everything from football to Halloween, Veterans Day to Thanksgiving.. the options are endless.

Then, once I compile a list, I hope to share that with you. Perhaps you will join me on this little quest. Feel free to leave a link to your blog post showing us what you have accomplished. Then by the beginning of December, we can honestly say Fall of 2012 was spectacular.

I'm going to start researching now. Will you join me?

Auttie Blossom is coming to Town

Some people have Santa Claus, while others get the Easter Bunny - me? I get Auttie Blossom! That's right, my super-silly 4 year old niece is coming for a visit tomorrow. I can't wait to see the twinkle in her eye and hear the seriously kooky things that will come out of her mouth.

If you are fairly new to the blog, I have to warn you- she is a character! Want to see? Here is Autumn:

Here is Autumn embracing her uncle's egyptian culture with a little egyptian belly dancing:



This year she sent me a video Birthday gram:



It was a tickle war on my bed!



She has a cold and was going to kill me!



She is manipulating me here:



A nice little overview from my sister:



As you can see... good stuff to look forward to!

Moving Images to Remind Me

Did I mention how much I adore my niece? It is time for me to be a proud auntie cole!

Enjoy little Auttie Blossom moments!

Here - you can see how serious she is!!



And here - this is her first snow. (You have to understand, it literally snows maybe one day out of the entire year in the south, and usually melts by the sunset. So- this day was a BIG deal for her! (PS - I TOLD you my parents live in the Oconee National Forest, right?



The "egyptian" belly dancer!!



She is a bit of a free spirit!



My Birthday present to Autumn - a day on the ranch!



She is officially related to me - a little history lesson with my family!



Here she is singing to me. You can actually hear me.. lol


Now she is manipulating me. (At my apt.)

Anticipating Fall

I am chomping at the bits for fall to get here!

In celebration of the anticipation - I wanted to share with you a post I wrote almost one year ago.

Please click on the post titled : I want to smell dead leaves.

Tell me what you like the most about fall and what you anticipate?