Five on Friday: The Merits of Fall

Ahhhh.... fall.

Another summer is drawing to a close as the first day of fall (September 23 this year) approaches. For some I guess this change elicits deep groans of disappointment. But not for I! Fall is my most favorite season. The only thing I don't like about it is the time change and when it gets dark at 5:00. But, hey... nobody's perfect.

In Wyoming, I guess we are skipping fall this year, since we just had our first SNOW. Seriously. A couple of inches this week and really low temps already. Crazy.

Well, without further adieu, here are:

Five Merits of Fall

#5 - All things PUMPKIN. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake, pumpkin...pumpkin...PUMPKIN!!! Yum. Oh, and also punkin chunkin'. (And if you don't know what that is, you should really look it up. It's lots of fun!)

#4 - All things APPLE. Fresh homemade applesauce, apple crisps and apple pies, apple cider...  Mmmm...

       #3.5 - CINNAMON. Because both #4 and #5 are greatly improved by the addition of it.
                  ('scuse me, I'm drooling a bit)

#3 - The trees putting on their FALL COLORS. In Wyoming that mostly just means brilliant yellow leaves (I love seeing the aspens in the fall - see the picture above for reference). But where I grew up in Pennsylvania, and especially further up the northeast corridor, the leaves become a myriad of shades of yellow, orange and red - and it is just gorgeous.

#2 - HUNTING SEASON. We depend upon a successful hunting season to fill our freezer with fresh, lean game meat. Throughout the year I buy only small amounts of meat - mostly chicken, pork, fish, etc. Our red meat is nearly all supplied from the deer or elk that we harvest. Plus, we just enjoy getting out and spending time in the mountains, breathing that crisp, fall-scented mountain air...

#1 - But most of all - COOLER WEATHER. I hate hot ('nough said). Cooler weather means that I can break out my comfy hoodies and flannel pajamas. I can cozy up on the couch with a book in front of the fireplace. The thought of hot chocolate no longer seems disgusting! And it is time to put the comforters back on the beds. Yes. I love it.

Happy Fall Everyone!!!