Fall Has Fell

I don't know about you, but for me, Fall is my favorite time of the year. As the color spectrum shifts from shades of green to a more bountiful palette, my heart comes to life. The days, though they are shorter, become cozier. I break out my bed's comforter and look forward to my nightly snuggle underneath it. The crisp autumn air is intoxicating in its freshness as the clean western breezes blow away the last vestiges of a hot, humid, summer. The mosquitoes can't stand up to the cold and the wind. The sun, though bright, does not beat upon the brow. The clouds take on a quality of brushed cotton candy and it seems as though all is well with the world. Fall, to me is the season designed for outdoor relaxation.

Here are some great ways to fully enjoy fall weather:
Take an outdoor nap in a hammock or lounge chair. Snuggle up with someone you love or with a favorite sweater.

Go for a drive through densely wooded areas. Bring a picnic lunch and search for a secluded spot to enjoy it. If you can't make it to New England, the mountains of North Georgia are just as delightful.

For a change of pace, instead of watching that football game cramped up indoors, bring a portable TV out on your deck and enjoy it there. It will almost be like being there, except you won't have to fight that stadium traffic. Make it an event and fire up the barbecue. Have a tailgate party without the tailgate!

Organize a trip to a “U-pick-'em” orchard. We love doing this as a family. It is fun, relatively inexpensive and is a great bonding experience. Plus, you truly will not find fruit this fresh in a grocery store. If you have no orchards nearby, take the kids to a pumpkin patch to pick a perfect jack-o-lantern.

Relax by the fireside if you have an outdoor fireplace or land enough to host a bonfire. I love a glass of wine while being warmed by a crackling flame. Or if you prefer to not drink, then buy a bag of marshmallows and roast them like when you were a kid at camp. Whether you like to slow roast them like my husband does or turn them into black, gooey torches like me, you will have the same kind of fun like when you were young.

Fall can be summed up in three words -- Hot Tub Time! There's no experience finer than soaking your tired, achy bones in the spa while your head is cleared by cool, gentle breezes. Sitting in the spa (especially this time of year) is one of my favorite things to do.

Like my baby girl tells me: “It's called 'Fall' 'cause the leaves fall from the trees.” Walk around your yard or neighborhood and pick up a leaf from every different tree you see. Take the time to identify each tree by looking it up in a reference book such as the Audubon Society's Field Reference Manual of Trees. This is a fun learning activity you can do with your children.

Yes, Fall is my favorite time of year. Fully embrace this part of the year and cherish the transitions. Fall into the hot tub, fall into the car for a drive or just fall in love again with your significant other before life closes up for the winter.