Autumn Inspiration

Fall has always been my favorite season.  And sometimes I think it has become a little bit of a fad, the latest trend to cite "changing leaves" as your reason for loving autumn.  But for me, this time of year brings together nearly all of my favorite things into one cool, crisp, colorful package.

As if Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte wasn't enough justification for my position, I love the slight chill to the breeze that nudges us to reach for cardigans and jackets, and the smell of burning leaves that lingers in the air.  I love to see pumpkins on the doorsteps of houses, flanked by colorful mums that bloom resiliently in the wake of the wilted summer flowers.  I love the sound of dry leaves crunching underfoot.  I love the contrast of the green grass where it skirts the edge of the browning cornfields.

But neither nature nor Starbucks has anything on moments like this.

Move over, summer, autumn's here.  

Now, who thinks pumpkin pie filling would taste good in meatloaf?