Fall in Love with Fall

I realize it is only mid-August. I know we are still in the heat of summer. On really humid days, when I am melting into a puddle of sweat, it can still seem like the seventh circle of Hell.

I remind myself that in only a little over a month it will be FALL. Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love candles and cozy. Sweaters and pumpkin spice. Leaves and a chill in the air. The home decor YouTube bloggers are already starting their “Fall Hauls” after shopping at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Target. I expect the Fall home tours to be beginning shortly. Pinterest is exploding with Autumn bucket lists, and how to make your home cozy. Y’all, I live for this stuff.

The other day I bought two new Fall colored blankets, orange and yellow. They will look so warm and cozy on our brown leather furniture. I also bought an Autumn leaf wreath. I am not sure where I will put the wreath, but I am confident I will figure out the perfect spot.

“For cryin’ out loud”, you are probably thinking. This woman is crazy. She is obviously suffering from heat stroke. She thinks it is October. Someone, quick! Throw her in the pool. Give her an iced tea to sip. Snap out of it!

I admit, I have Fall fever. I am counting down the days until September when I can decorate for Autumn and people won’t think I have a problem.

I’m Back!

Y’all, I have thought about my blog on and off throughout this year. In the past, I was blogging all the time and loved it. I still love writing and blogging, but I’ll be honest, this past year has gone by so quickly and has been so busy that I was always just too tired to put my thoughts together to blog (and have it make sense). The last time I posted was nearly a year ago. Oh, my! I said all this to say, I am back. Hopefully, all my long time followers will find it a pleasant surprise that I have returned to blogging and plan on posting regularly once again. Maybe, I will get some new followers also.

I am currently sitting in the kitchen. I have home decorating shows from YouTube playing on the TV. Yes, it is a guilty pleasure. I love watching decor shows. My husband indulges my love of decorating. Although, he probably could not care less if we have fall colored sofa pillows or a burnt orange throw blanket. I know you are probably wondering why it is mid-August and I am already thinking of Fall. It is a thing, people. The home decorators are already doing their “Fall Hauls” from Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Kirklands. I may or may not have just purchased a rust colored blanket for the couch. Don’t judge.

School, in my county, is not starting until September 10th. This is the first year we were going to start back the day after Labor Day (planned even before the whole COVID thing), but a couple of more days were tacked on to make sure the schools are completely sanitized and all the staff is ready for our new COVID world. I am an intervention specialist (a.k.a special education teacher) with some high school students. All I can say is that the start of this school year will feel odd, unlike anything I have ever experienced in my thirty years of teaching. I am planning on still having fun with my students regardless of masks, sanitizing, and social distancing.

Can I tell y’all something? It is not that I liked being “locked down” for several weeks this past Spring, but there was something nice about not having to be anywhere. Life had become a race to be places and get things done, and being forced to slow down and stay home was not horrible. Mind you, I didn’t want to stay that way forever because after a while I wanted to see people and share some moments. I don’t want social distancing to become social isolation…for any of us. We need each other now, more than ever. What did you think about being forced to stay at home?

During the summer I also complete assessments for local homeschooling families. I am currently in the process of reorganizing my schoolroom/office area. This is no small task. I have accumulated a lot in all my years of teaching/consulting/assessing. When I say “a lot” I mean a dump truck full of stuff give or take. Maybe in another 10 years, I will gift my teaching stuff to families that will use it to continue growing life long learners. I am thankful for all the years I have been blessed to teach. It has been and continues to be, a great gig.

I am excited to be back! See you soon.

Fall Begins This Week

The last weekend of Summer and the beginning of Fall, this week.

I love Autumn, it is hands down my favorite time of the year! 

*cooler temperatures

*wearing sweaters and cozy socks

*boot weather

*colorful leaves

*chimney smoke in the air

*football games

*harvest

*Fall fest

*blankets and hoodies

*hot chocolate

*pumpkin spiced drinks and desserts

*colorful decorations

*pumpkins

*warm candle light

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There’s A Chill In The Air

The day began early, after a fitful night’s sleep. Normally, sleep comes easily to me, often times as soon as my head hits the pillow. I was up soon after the dimly lit morning got underway. After getting dressed, brushing my teeth and washing my face, I was ready to face the day. The cool morning air, ushered in by a large cold front from Canada, chilled my bare arms. I made a mental note to wear my jacket when I went over to the barn to feed the animals. The sky was gray and overcast on this Friday. It was just beginning to barely look like Fall, even though it is feeling like it.

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The greens of summer are starting to fade. The flowers of the field have turned to a golden yellow, and a few leaves are getting ready for their colorful Autumn parade. I listen as geese lift off from the pond across the road. I know geese can be messy and downright mean when they want to be, but I love to watch them flying in formation. They stick together, they work together, to make it to their destination.

The other day, at the grocery store, I picked up some canned pumpkin and some pumpkin spice. I love all things pumpkin and so, I have plans for (sugar free) pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin roll. There is something about this time of year, the scent of apple and spice candles, soft blankets, warm drinks, cooler temperatures and beautiful colors. A couple of months of blazing glory before winter sets in…..

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Good Morning

This post, from my archives, spoke to me this morning……..

 

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I stood still, looking out the window as the sun burned off the foggy haze laying low on the fields.

There is a certain serenity, a peace, in a scene such as this.

The day is new, and as of yet, untouched.

Taking in the quiet stillness of the morning, feeling the slight coolness in the air.

Knowing that the heat of summer will be, but a memory in another short month.

I’m thankful.

Thankful to be here…at this place….in this time. For whatever reason God has chosen.

May I be worthy of the precious time that I’ve been given.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14  NIV

 

It’s A Tad Bit Chilly

We are having unseasonably cool temperatures here in Ohio. The highs have been in the low to mid 70’s and the lows, at night, in the 50’s. I love this, but my  heat miser, “summer should be hot and humid”, friends most definitely do not. The weatherman is calling for these cooler temps all the way through mid August. From that point it will only be a month until Fall officially begins…my favorite time of the year.

So, today, in the midst of an Ohio cool spell, I’m thinking of Autumn. Do you want to join be for one brief moment?

 

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Some Of My Favorite Things

From my blog archives…..

 

 

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Ode To Autumn

A chill in the air
Canadian geese I hear?
Time for sweaters
autumn is here!

Pumpkins, and corn shocks
hot chocolate mix
football and soccer
My autumn fix!

The smell of chimney smoke
is in the air,
A fire in the fireplace
the perfect pair.

This season is a favorite
because of family together
holidays that bring us close
No matter the weather.

I love this season
it truly is the best
snuggling in before
the long winters rest.

 

Written by: Dawn Gibson

 

 

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