Fall - What's Not to Love?

Happy first day of Fall!!  I don't really think I need to explain why it's the best season in Iowa; everyone loves fall (I think).  But, here are some of the things that I love about the season:

The crisp morning and evening air. You know, HOODIE weather!!  And being able to go for a walk outside without sweating.

The colors.  Oh, the colors.  The bright and vibrant orange, yellows and reds!  Also, the gem colors of fall clothing in the stores....plum, emerald green, brown, burnt orange -- I love them all!!!

Harvest decorations.  Pumpkins, hay bales, scarecrows, etc.  There's just something warming about fall decorations.

Football.  I don't really watch very many football games, but it's a fun time of year when everyone comes together to cheer on their teams.  Seeing the bright lights shining on a high school football field on Friday nights just makes me smile....and seeing their fields decorated for homecoming.

Pumpkin flavored everything - Yummy!!

Apple desserts - also yummy!!

Pumpkin Picking - this is a new favorite now that I have kids.  Center Grove Orchard is the best place ever! Corn Pool anyone?? 

Jeans, sweaters and boots!  (or HOODIES!!)

Preparing for the holidays.  I usually start thinking about holidays early -- a little Christmas shopping, finding new desserts to try making, and reminding my husband every year that we need a bigger dining table to hold more people when we host the holidays (he insists on making us a table out of barn wood).

School.  I don't attend school, nor do I have any kids in school, but I always enjoyed the beginning of the school year.  I'm looking forward to shopping for supplies when my kids start school (I'm sure I'll dislike it after a couple years). 

I'm sure I'm missing several items, but I think I can safely say that I love everything about fall (other than it puts us that much closer to winter -- yuck).  I have always loved fall, but living in the country makes me appreciate it even more.  I live in the middle of farm fields so I get to see and hear all of the harvesting going on and I can spend my evenings out on the deck looking up at the stars and have a clear view of the bright orange harvest moon when it appears. 

Really, what's NOT to love about fall?!?!?!?!