Fall Flavors

Being back in the Midwest for fall has been a charming experience. It has always been my favorite season and this year I have a new appreciation for it. Down south, in Armpit, FL there are many gorgeous things you will see. Well, there is the beach. You may see gorgeous things or you may see hairy, fat people in wife beater T shirts and Speedos. It's hit or miss. What you don't see are leaves exploding with gold and crimson and orange. In the South Summer gets a little dusty and rusty and then you turn the heater on once and it's Spring again. But here in the breadbasket you see a riot of colors. The kids and I read about the burning bush story in the Bible and after this year we think maybe it was a maple tree. If not, a maple tree should have had the honor, in our opinion, because they sure put on a show. We have made leaf collages and raked them into big crackly piles and the kids have jumped into them. I did not jump, because I am too mature and grown-up. I tripped on my shoelace. Honestly.

Speaking of the breadbasket, there are so many flavors to fall it makes my heart happy. Apple cider mulling with cinnamon, chili, caramel apples. Apple EVERYTHING. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin pie, hot chocolate on the first frosty night. YUM! Don't worry I make all those things sugar free. Ahem. Well, we have to get ready to hibernate, after all. Sure you can make all those things in the South but it just isn't the same. I don't know why. Perhaps it's just the thought of simmering hot soups and cider when it is 90 that loses some of its appeal.

I put on a cuddly new sweater for church this Sunday and after the service I convinced Hubby to drive through Starbucks. (YES! I do NEED a $5 coffee! No! I can't just drink plain stuff at home!) I would say that wearing a fuzzy sweater and sipping a steaming pumpkin latte has to be one of the greatest simple pleasures but Hubs assures me $5 coffee isn't "simple." OK, it's one of the totally extravagant life pleasures. We'll economize on TP, darn it! Keep the lattes coming!