It's finally October!!!

I know that "technically" Fall begins in late September...but it never really feels like Fall until October!  I'm excited now...I just love Autumn...the sights, the sounds, the smells and the tastes...oh boy!! I love seeing all the trees change colors. We have a lot of aspens in our yard, and not only do they turn a brilliant shade of gold, but they have a distict sound as they rustle in the wind...almost like natures wind chimes. Then...there's the sky...that blue that seems different than any other blue thru out the year...waiting patiently (or not so patiently, LOL) as a child for Charlie Brown's "The Great Pumpkin" to air (yeah...we didn't have cable, VCRs or DVDs way back then, lol )...the Farmer's Markets and vegetable stands all over town...My Denver Broncos flag flying outside on the deck on Sunday mornings...big orange pumpkin bags filled to the rim with leaves...pretty yellow and rust colored mums...and let's not forget that magnificent harvest moon...just gorgeous!

On to the "sounds" of Fall...I've already mentioned the rustling of the leaves...but there's also the sound of marching band as high school football games...the sounds of raking leaves on Saturday morning...the crackle of wood in a fire place or bonfire...the sound of the zipper or snaps of your jacket on a crisp, cool morning...the sound of the oven door opening and closing as baked goodies go in and out...and even that kinda weird smell from turning on the furnace for the first time...to name a few, LOL!

Now the smells of Fall...I can't think of a season that smells better than Fall. Autumn mornings the air smells crisp and clean...bringing out and lighting all the Fall candles with scents of warm vanilla, cinnamon and cloves...a yummy soup or stew simmering on the stove...hot spiced apple cider...burning leaves...the inside of a pumpkin...the smell of roasted green chiles at every vegetable stand...and of course, nothing can beat the smell that the house takes on as a juicy turkey roasts in the oven all day....awwww, I can smell it now!

Finally, the tastes of Fall...well, I have to admit, that I LOVE pumpkin pie...but this time of year is when Dairy Queen has their delicious Pumpkin Pie Blizzards...roasted turkey and stuffing...hotdogs and beer at a football game...caramel apples...spiced cider...smores...hot coffee on a chilly weekend morning...Halloween candy...roasted pumpkin seeds...a spicy pot of green chili to top burritos or fried potatos...to name a few!

And few of my other favorite "Fall" things...shorter days/longer nights...my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving...Football season...back to school...Fearfest on the AMC network...my pretty Fall Leaves Flag for the front porch and my Autumn Angel that hangs on the front door...and no more yard work, LOL!

Is it any wonder that Autumn is my FAVORITE time of year???