It’s not always easy to get into the beginning of our seasons here in Florida. It’s hard to appreciate and love and savor seasons that always show up late to the party. I haven’t had the air conditioning on for days. The windows are open, breezes are coming through, and temperatures are certainly nicer now than they were last week. But highs of 77 or 83 aren’t exactly autumnal to this Northern girl at heart. Fall has always been about running with a tickle in my throat from the cold, raking a yard full of leaves, watching colors change, cold temperatures, apple orchards. When I was younger, my brother and I would spend countless autumn afternoons climbing in the apple trees in my family’s orchard. We’d pretend the branches we were on were different states. “I’m in Maine!” “Look at me over here, I am in Hawaii!” We had to bundle up in fleece jackets over cozy turtlenecks and put on socks. It got cold and fall-like when it was supposed to and I loved every minute of it.
Now…it’s chilly in the morning but I can still wear a t-shirt and flip flops. It’s not the same, but I can love it just as much.
The fact is, everything isn’t always going to be perfect and just so. If I wait for the perfect moment, it’ll be gone before I know it. Things are never going to be just right so enjoy, savor, appreciate things as they are. Even totally imperfect, it’s pretty good.
My daughter and I spent the afternoon baking apple crisp followed by collecting leaves and swinging on the swingset together. After a cozy family dinner, she and I waxed leaves to hang for making our home more cozy and fall-like. Even if it was warm and sunny outside and fall wasn’t joining our party, we enjoyed it and we made sure to appreciate the here and now.
What are you doing to celebrate this season we are in?
If you are searching for Autumn inspiration, you have to look no further than The Inspired Room. Melissa’s 31 day series is all about Autumn Bliss. I love that she says “Autumn is a season of contentment”. Make sure you visit her series and soak up all of the Autumn inspiration you can.
Visit the other 31 Days Series:
Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Reluctant Entertainer, The Inspired Room
I am so lucky to have the most inspiring blogging friends. Go see for yourself.
i made an impromptu carrot cake yesterday. the cinnamon smelled so good in the house. and when my kids come home from school to the smell of just baked goods…they are happy! for some reason, i always want to bake when it starts getting cooler.
[Reply]
You’ve summed up exactly the way I’m feeling. I’m a northern girl as well and moved here to St. Augustine, Florida about 11 years ago. Fall is and always has been my favorite time of the year and every year about this time I find myself getting grumpier because I’m missing that true fall feeling. Thanks for giving me a different perspective and helping me to realize there are aspects of fall here in the south that I can appreciate and enjoy
[Reply]
This post made me gasp!
Emily – you live in Florida! Why did I think you were a north-easterner? I cannot believe I didn’t know that.
Clearly I didn’t read your about me page (just did).
Here in the midwest – since we have 4 seasons – it’s easier to follow them because we’re forced too. Although it’s 80 here this weekend, too. Seems strange to see all the colors of fall, see the leaves falling like rain and sweating.
Feels so un fall-ish.
But last year we had our first snowfall of teh season on 10-10 so I’m not complain’!
[Reply]
Autumn is my absolute favorite season. I love having the windows open all day. The fresh breeze, the smell of the air, the rustle of the leaves . . . . it’s my season.
I don’t decorate my house for autumn. Ok. I don’t decorate my house for any season except Christmas. BUT we do have our little family traditions. We love to eat a simple dinner outside around our little fire pit on tree stumps and then roast marshmallows. We enjoy taking walks through our woods. Visits to the park are always fun during this time of year. My dad takes us on hayrides down on his farm. *Sigh*
[Reply]
Kitchen smells always make me think of autumn. Like FL, we don’t really have a fall season here in CA, but it’s the little things like a pumpkin candle or apple crisps baking in the oven that make it feel like a lovely season!
[Reply]
I am so feelin’ ya. I live in Central California, having moved here from Chicago when I was a kid. Mornings chilly but I’m still wearing sandals every day. Tonight I will infuse a little bit of autumn into my home with homemade applesauce and pumpkin-sausage soup. Can’t wait!
[Reply]
I LOVE Florida in the fall ~ we used to visit every year.
Thanks for the journey back … enjoy.
[Reply]
You know I love Autumn.
Thank you for mentioning my series too
xo
[Reply]
[...] You are Decorating Out of Fear via The Nester Enjoying Everyday Sounds via Reluctant Entertainer Savoring the Season via Remodeling This Life Do You Have Inspiration Overload? via Small Notebook If We Don’t [...]