Ode to autumn...

Okay, so it's about time this little blog of mine got itself off the ground. (it's been 6 months since I've posted and even that one wasn't really a post - lame!) Summer was a blast - but it felt like a vapor. It evaporated, just like that. Quickly, leaving behind memories of family, humidity, weddings, frizzy hair, birthdays, cruises, and great times with friends. One advantage to summer being over is that it has catapaulted me into auntumn. I love autumn! It's probably one of my most favorite times of the year. It evokes romantic memories of childhood, growing up in Indiana. I still love to visit during autumn when I can. I absolutely love the crisp chill in the air, the fall decorations that adorn the porches downtown, the scent of the outdoors, jumping in piles of leaves, hayrides, the transformation of the leaves as they turn colors as if hand painted by God, bonfires in the backyard, freshly pressed apple cider, flickering candles....ahhh....it makes my heart happy just to think of these things. To actually experience them is bliss. Autumns in Florida aren't quite the same. It's hard to get a crisp chill in 90 degree heat. Boo. However, I have discovered that I have a "nesting" instinct that kicks in at autumn. Do you know what I mean? It's like the first day of autumn rolls around and a switch flips in my brain. I get the urge to clean every square inch of my house, start home projects, pick up sewing (my parents bestowed to me a lovely sewing machine last year and it hasn't seen much action since they were here for Christmas), and bake like a machine. What the? (this is sooo unlike the summer me, who is content to come home, put on a tank top and shorts, and park it somewhere in front of a fan until bedtime) Whatever it is that autumn brings, I'll take it! :) The odd thing is, the temps don't change overnight (obviously) - but for some reason my steps quicken, I barely notice the heat anymore, I get out my fall harvest candles, I give my cardigans and scarves a little pep talk, I go to the local outdoor market to buy the necessary porch decor, and my heart skips a little beat. Thank you Lord for autumn!! Apparently, no matter where I am it's always in my heart!

Here are the results of all my "nesting" lately:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Blossoms

And no baking day would be complete without fudgy brownies

My freezer is in a sugar coma right now!! It's been a long time since it's been stuffed with so many sweet treats - just in time for all our holiday guests!!