Saturday, September 27, 2008

These are a few of my favorite things...

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Both my babies (babies that are 3 and nearly 5, incidentally) were born in fall. Indiana has the perfect fall weather. Cool days with even cooler nights...along with beautiful fall colors. Here are just a few of my favorite things about fall.
1. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Confession: I had two of these today. Don't judge...mine were of the non-fat, no whip variety AND I had a coupon. So there.


2. Mums. Nothing says fall quite like bright gold, orange, and red mums lining the front porch. Our neighbors used to sell mums every fall. I loved being able to walk through the mum garden choosing them. But the evil empire Wal-Mart put them out of business. I refuse to buy crappy mums from the Wal-Mart though. Luckily they are readily available at a couple local greenhouses. Fall isn't complete without a few mums.


3. Dancing with the Stars. *sigh* My favorite fall show. For those of you who didn't know, this is Maks. My boyfriend.
Did I mention Maks? Oh, I did? Alright then. Moving on. Just give me a minute.
4. Where was I? Oh, yeah. Fall. Around here, the fall sky is about as blue as it can be. The yellow and orange leaves against the blue sky make for gorgeous photos. Actually, one of my dad's fall photos was chosen to be displayed at a new Cancer Center at the IU Medical Center. Here he is posing with his photo. His picture is much more vivid than it seems here. But, isn't he cute?

5. Speaking of leaves, we have some beautiful fall colors. Peak foliage season is mid-October depending on the amount of rainfall we receive. We are no Vermont, but you could do a lot worse than Indiana foliage.
6. Pumpkins. I love pumpkins. A perfect fall decoration is a bale of straw with a couple of mums and pumpkins on the front porch. I have a bowl full of mini pumpkins on the kitchen table (well, I did until Cole decided it was time to "harvest" them.) The kids and I are planning a trip to the pumpkin patch for bug pumpkins this weekend! And while we are on the topic of pumpkins, I would like everyone to repeat after me...Pump-kins. Please, people. Say pumpkins. I throw up a little in my mouth when I hear punkin. It's almost as bad as "pacific." As in, "Could you be more pacific about the punkins?" *shudder*

7. Harvest time. Even though I love being surrounded by corn fields all summer...harvest time is big in our house. It doesn't mean much to me except it makes the two men in my life uber happy. You can't imagine the thrill they get simply by driving a combine through a field of corn or beans and harvesting it. Plus it gets them out of the house and leaves Claire and me to paint our toenails in peace.
8. Cool evenings. I am a hot natured person. I am hot all.the.time. So when fall rolls around and many people turn the furnace on, I finally get a chance to throw on a sweatshirt and be cozy. It makes a girl want to sit in the stands at a high school football game. Well, maybe not...but it does make me want to put on a sweatshirt and drink wine on the porch.

9. Coldstone's Pumpkin Pie in the Sky. I don't think I need to say much more. Except that if you have not had this...you must go. Right now.


10. And last but not least...Fall Break. With all of the BS that fills my day as a public school teacher (not the kids, mind you...the kids are the best part of my day) there is a little light...a little ray of hope...a little something called Fall Break. Without Fall Break, there would be a little something called Nervous Breakdown. Fall Break in our school district consists of two glorious days off from school in mid-October. Not only is it two entire days off from school, but it coincides with the perfect Indiana fall weather. Sweatshirts, jeans, tennis shoes, outdoor shopping. Ahhh. I can't wait.


Pin It!

31 comments:

Lisa said...

I was born and raised in Michigan and fall is my favorite time of year, hands-down. I miss it terribly being all the way down here in hot Florida. I cannot wait to move to TN this summer and get my falls back.

I am enjoying coming to your blog more and more lately due to all the photos of your boyfriend, Maks. Good thing I get to share him with you on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesdays.

I love your fall break photo. Isnt scrapblog fun?

Ashley. Unscripted... said...

You know, as much as I love me some Starbucks, I can't really get the Pumpkin Spice latte. I want to, but for some reason it doesn't work for me. I can't get enough of my non-fat, no whip white chocolate mochas with one pump peppermint. Yum-O.

Lindsay said...

I am so with you on the fall bandwagon. I look forward to it all.year.long. There's just something about all that comes with the season--the first changing leaves, the feeling in the air when you can tell the seasons have clicked (it's very subtle but wonderful), the cool breezes, the smell (and taste) of all things pumpkin--it makes me feel so happy. You've put me in such a good mood with your post, JDM, and I needed that.

Happy Fall!

Mrs4444 said...

I love fall, too, but for me, it's the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard at Dairy Queen! Our Fall break coincides with deer hunting. Your dad's photo is wonderful, and he looks pretty wonderful, too. Sorry, Maks does nothing for me, which is a good thing, since you've already spoken for him :)

Tinabean said...

Oh I love you r favorite things.
I just wish it wasn't eleven o'clock here or I'd be on my way to coldstone.
I have never had that tasty creation, but I'm gonna try it soon.
Thanks for giving me a feel of your fall.

"The Queen in Residence" said...

I think that when it gets light I will head down to cold stone. That looks wonderful.....

your dad's picture was breathtaking.

Have a great fall break. I think all teachers right about now are thinking year round school is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

Your Dad looks HOT ! Better than that dancing guy. ;)

Finding Normal said...

I love this post! I have been grumpy this weekend. Cleaning out closets, stressing about how my house is a constant mess. Wishing I had a cleaning lady. Mad at the hubby for making messes and throwing Noah onto my stomach last night right after dinner, still sore! Crying because I don't see my kids enough. That's the hormones, I think. Thanks for reminding me that I love fall too.

Need to go get some mums. Pumpkins will wait until the weekend before Halloween because I hate a rotten pumpkin. I can't wait for the little markets to do their fall festivals. If you've never gone, you MUST take those kids! I might have to go try that ice cream. I believe I have a coupon. No coffee here, but I can't wait for fall break! Too bad we have to get through damned conferences first!

Finding Normal said...

Oh, and the picture of your dad is super cute. Crack up at delberta! Congrats to him for having one of his photos in the Cancer Center. Up yours, local TV station! hahaha!

Tiffany said...

Nice harvesting picture! My hubby would love to wake up to that on any day of the year! Too bad the army has other plans for us. That ice cream looks yummy - thanks really like my big butt needed to see that! lol

Merrie said...

I miss the fall colors. We don't get enough of it in California.

I enjoy a Spiced Pumpkin Latte, too, but I get mine with half Toffee Nut. Try it sometime. It's fall heaven in a cup.

John Deere Mom said...

Merrie-Didn't know they had Toffee Nut...will try it today! Thanks for the top!

Rhea said...

Your dad is adorable! I love his fall leaves photo!!! Gorgeous!

And fun learning about your favorite things this time of year.

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Raised in Illinois but lived in Iowa for almost 40 years and I have to say, New England can't be any more beautiful then the Midwest. I wouldn't live anywhere that didn't have changes in season. In fact, Iowa is IT for us.
Your Dad's photograph is awesome, but I take somepretty good ones myself. None are of people---they are scenery and objaects. people just don't cooperate.
I copied those pics of Maks. I need some full size visuals in the off season.LOL

KimmyJ said...

Your daddy is precious! My heart skipped a beat seeing Maks in that towel - Lordy!

Becky said...

Awww...I love all the things you do about Fall! We live in Ohio, so it is a brightly colored time of year too.
You're funny...I love sweaters (I'm hot all the time too so cool evenings are the best) and the "thought" of football games sound picturesk (sp) but umm not really do I like the actual watching of the games. And yes your dad is a cutie. (Kind of looks like Aaron Spelling)

Thanks for sopping by and checking out my blog!

sassy stephanie said...

I love the sights, sounds and especially tastes of fall. My fave season. And, I love the pumpkins spiced latte almost as much as the gingerbread latte...mmmmmm.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Very nice post! I love the fall too, and I love your dad's picture.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I am still trying to get into the spirit of Fall. But if I had a pump-kin on my porch - it would saute in this heat. We'll hit 90 tomorrow...

Minyo said...

October is my favorite month! I like your pictures. I agree, there's nothing like the vibrant blue of the sky in the fall in contrast to the colorful leaves. Just BEAUTIFUL!!!

Enjoy the season!

Tiffany said...

I love Fall. My boy was also born in Fall.

I love anything with pumpkin spice deliciousness.

Unknown said...

Your dad is very good looking. Far better looking than the bikerwho tried to pick me up yesterday. He was about your Dad's age..

I love Fall, but I call it Autumn, as well. I am waiting impatiently for the leaves to begin changing colour, but I think it;s still too hot here.

I'm buying some pumpkin this week and I'm going to make some pumpking soup. I'm hoping that Summer will then get the hint and step aside for Autumn...

Brandy said...

I'd have to say that fall is my fav. I love when the leaves change, although I *hate* raking with a passion.

I've already made TWO pumpkin cakes and man, they are darn good if I do say so myself.

Anonymous said...

OHMYGOSH! I think I ruined my keyboard by drooling on it. I have never watched DWTS but I think I might have too. YUMMY! Now how can I trick my husband into thinking I'm watchin because of his skills. :)

thotlady said...

I'm with you sister. Love, love the FALL!

Add Halloween and the start of the holiday season. Yippeee!

swilek said...

I just had a soy pumpkin spice latte no whip, extra hot at Starbucks too...it's my fav and I'm sad we can't get it all year. I also love gingerbread lattes too!!

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Do you think your dad minds being that close to Maks um.... well...you know?

Anyhow, I can't agree more with you about this season. Love it...completely. Pa. falls are the best....except when it rains like it did today....t

The pumpkin ice cream thing...um...where can I get this? I MUST have it. NOW!

Lula! said...

I had a pumpkin spice latte today...and thought of you. Just so you know.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I thought Maks was MY boyfriend.....apparently he has been stepping out on me!!!

Yummm....I love the pumpkin spice drinks that come out this time of year.....anything punkin......I mean, pumpkin. ;)

Caroline said...

I think of football games in the fall too. Sitting bundled up under a blanket cheering for the favorite local high school team. Small town hs football is a little more exciting. Let me just fill you in on some of the more "pacific" things I've heard lately...

besides punkin and pacific, how about

vomicking (vomiting)
Optober (October)
Valentime's Day

Ugh.

Happy Fall!

The Mom Jen said...

Um...still thinking about that bath towel...did you say something?!