Writer's Workshop - 10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall

I stumbled across Mama's Losin' It and her Writer's Workshop today and it was truly what I needed to jumpstart my writing.  I am a descent academic writer,  but creatively and expressively I don't believe I write very well.  Most writing challenges are overwhelming and quite honestly scare me, but this one, with its variety of writing prompts made me feel comfortable.  I chose prompt #5, 10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall, mostly because for the first time, in Georgia it actually FEELS like fall.  Enjoy.

10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall

Pumpkins -
I love anything and everything about pumpkins, the color, the smell, the texture, the taste, basically everything.  My favorite family outing is our trip to the local pumpkin patch.  I have eleven years worth of wonderful pictures of my babies sitting amongst orange pumpkins, large and small. 

Fall Foods -
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all the fresh produce summer brings, but just as the weather starts to get cooler, I find myself anticipating our favorite fall foods.  Chicken Pot Pie, Chili, Chicken and Dumplings, Bacon and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Cheese Soup, BBQ, Pumpkin Bread and Muffins, Apple Crisp, all those wonderful comfort foods that just scream cool weather.

Halloween-
Again, my love of this holiday is steeped in family tradition.  Since my son's first Halloween we have hosted a Halloween Hayride through our neighborhood for trick or treat.  It is a coveted invitation.  As the kids have grown and siblings have been added, we have had a purchase a larger trailer not once, but twice.  As my son heads into middle school I am already dreading the day he says he doesn't want to do it anymore.  I think that will break my heart.

Cooler Temperatures -
After weeks and weeks of over 90 degree weather in Georgia, it feels so good to have a temperature break. 

Rec Football -
My son plays rec football and my daughter cheers.  My husband coaches and I am the team mom.  We spend alot of time at the ball park in the fall.  I wouldn't change it for anything.  This time we spend at the park together is so valuable and appreciated.  So what if the laundry doesn't get done, or we are up late doing a forgotten homework assignment.  The time is so well spent.

College Football -
We live and breathe college football at our house.  Saturday mornings are ripe with the cheers of "Game Day" which sends the dog scurrying to find his football.  Alabama and Kentucky are the two teams we follow closely since my husband played for both, but any good SEC game or BCS game will always be on our television each and every week. 

Colors -
Vibrant yellows, rich reds, subtle browns - I just adore the colors of fall.  Other than Christmas, fall is the only time I decorate my house.  I just can't wait to pull out all my lovely fall linens, centerpieces and florals to bring the beauty of fall indoors.

My Back Porch, a Cup of Coffee and a Quilt -
Without a doubt, my favorite "room" in my house is my back porch.  It is covered and runs the lenght of the house.  It is secluded from my neighbors by a variety of trees and it is a very peaceful place.  During the summer I drink my coffee there every morning until it gets just too hot to bear.  The best day however it the day I need to wrap up in a quilt to enjoy my porch in the mornings.

Routine -
Since I am a teacher, our summers tend to just go with the flow.  If we want to do it, we do.  If we desire a day of doing nothing, well, we do that too.  Fall brings back a much needed routine.  Schoool, homework, football, cheerleading, work, Book Club...  Eventhough we appreciate the freedom of summer, there is something to be said for the structure fall brings.

Horse Racing -
Growing up in Kentucky, fall always meant one very special thing -- the races.  Living 3 miles from one of the most beautiful race tracks in the United States was a dream.  We often skipped classes (both in high school and college) to catch the first race at Keeneland.  Watching those amazing animals race at such speeds around the track is truly magnificent.  Eventhough we don't get to go as often anymore, I still have fond memories of the first Saturday in October when the track would open and for 31 glorious days magic was made on the race track.