Oprah has her favorites, and the world waits on the edge of their seat to discover what they are every year. Julie Andrews sang about “raindrops and on roses and whiskers on kittens”, and Lola (from Disney’s “Charlie and Lola”) has her favorite and her best. Well, I have my own list of favorite things. They usually make their appearance once October rolls around and the leaves begin changing colors, transforming the world around me into a rainbow of reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. Fall is spectacular and even saying the word “autumn” puts me in a warm and fuzzy mood. So, the following is a list of my favorite fall things. These items (necessities) help make this season of transition more comforting and memorable as the weather shifts from the heat of summer to the frigid temps of winter.
At the end of the list, I’ll let you know what the big giveaway is going to be and how you can participate in the contest. Enjoy!
Amy's Favorite Fall Things:
- Going to the Pumpkin Patch. This is quite a Slater tradition. We look forward to seeing the goats and chickens, running through the hay maze, taking hayrides through muddy, brown fields, picking out our family pumpkins, and sharing a bag of kettle corn between the five of us. The kids talk about it for days afterwards (Joel and I included).
- Fall colors. I look forward to not only seeing nature clothed in the beauty of a fall color pallet, but also I love wearing those colors too!
- My comfy sweats. Curling up in my favorite chair, wearing my soft and worn comfy sweats with a book or cup of cider is like heaven on earth. What in the world would I do without my comfy sweats? (Joel just snorted over my shoulder. Apparently, my comfy sweats are a year-round favorite thing – which is very true, I might add – but putting it on the list today still seems highly appropriate to me.)
- Comfort foods. Fall is when I break out all my casserole, soup, and crock-pot recipes. The smell of homemade macaroni and cheese or corn chowder with corn bread wafting through the house puts everyone in a good mood.
- Grandma Hubbard’s Apple Dumplings. I only make these in the fall. They turn an ordinary apple into a dessert experience beyond your wildest imagination. Top them off with a little homemade ice cream, and you’re well on your way to dessert narcolepsy.
- Long walks in the brisk fall air. I so enjoy walking outside and taking in the beauty of nature, but I especially love long walks during the fall season. If I were a photographer, I think I might spend hours capturing all of the breathtaking sights of fall on film. Plus, the fresh, cool air clears my mind and my senses too!
- “Thanks for Thanksgiving” children’s book. Written by Julie Markes and illustrated by Doris Barrette, this charming book ties in the beauty of fall and the warmth of Thanksgiving into a precious and uplifting story. Reading this to my kids puts a smile on my face.
And finally…
- Williams-Sonoma mulling spices. You have not experienced hot apple cider until you’ve used Williams-Sonoma’s mulling spices. The symphony of flavors, the aroma, the sweet taste of apples make each sip as soothing as the very first. Thanks to my mother-in-law who got me hooked on them, this is a must-have for fall. Mmmmm.
And because I’m so crazy about the Williams-Sonoma mulling spices, I decided this would be the perfect fall giveaway. Simply leave a comment along with one of your own favorite fall things, and the winner will be picked on Monday. (Note: Only those living within the continental United States will be eligible to win.)
So, leave a comment. And may you have warm, cinnamon-y dreams of hot apple cider and perhaps your own favorite fall things.