What's not to love about fall? All right, the impending snow, I don't love that (except it brings with it Christmas) and the hours of raking, and the cleaning out of the gutters (actually I like that. Something about climbing on the roof that makes me feel challenged). 

What I mean is, how can you not love the colors? It's like God knows that winter is so bleak and grey so he gives our senses a color overload right before to get us through. I love the way every thing is golden and bright and vibrant. I love how Autumn smells, I love apples and cider and pie. I love oatmeal cookies (which are fallish for some reason). I just love this time of year. And, I will admit I am already getting excited for Christmas.

What I love the most is how every year my kids are more and more into the leaf-pile-jumping. It brings back such warm memories of my childhood and my dad.  Today was our first official leaf jumping excursion of the year. It was a good one, I know because SuperH took my hand and said excitedly "This is the best leaf day ever!" 

Weeeee!

Blech leaf in my mouth!

This is so silly!

Bonsai! 

Crazy evil toddler laughter.

leaf tickling or leaf sword fighting?

Is he planking?

Evil quick sand leaf pile.

Dad...

Body...

Slam!

Give-A-Way!

Autumn is now upon us. Where did summer actually go? I'm sitting here drinking coffee wearing a sweater of all things. I didn't get to go back to Lake Michigan like I had planned and have barely been to the zoo.  It just seems like there is too much to do in summer and it is as hard to grasp as pool water.

Gertrude is modeling these for us. I wish the apron
were a skirt b/c that is a super cute outfit.
Sweater is a thrifted Ann Taylor.

The only thing to be done is embrace fall. I do love fall, the smell and crispness in the air, the taste of tart apples, the way the light is all golden, even the sound of leaves skittering across the drive.  And what is the best thing about colder weather? Comfort food that's what!

I love that the shirt pocket get's used on the apron.

I hate cooking in the summer but as cooler weather approaches I find myself wanting to make and eat hot soups, roast beef, cookies, home made bread, cookies and more cookies.  So, to continue to celebrate the Second Time Challenge and as a symbolic gesture that I'm accepting the changing season I made these two aprons to give to two lucky readers.  They're made from mens dress shirts (I bought one at a garage sale and one at Good Will, how thrifty is that?) and were super fun and easy to make. All you have to do to win is leave a comment (on this blog) telling me what your favorite comfort food to make and or eat is.  Let's get inspired to spend some time in the kitchen, and you may end up with a cute apron to make it even more fun! The contest will run through Monday, just leave a comment, and if you sign in as a guest (so you don't have to have account) be sure to leave your name.  Good luck!

My favorite thing to cook is soup btw, I love to chop it and drop it. To get you started cooking this is a recipe for the best bean soup ever!

Here is a picture of it on a person. Oh and that's a "new" sweater
I'm going to get a lot of wearing in.

This is the other apron it's got pin tucks.  Gertrude is getting out the tea pot, she's so thoughtful that way.