13 Things I Love About Autumn

In response to the awesome weather we've enjoyed for the past week, this week's T-13 is my "Ode to Autumn".

1. Violas. I've planted deep purple violas in our front flowerbed for the past 2 years. They bloom from September through May. Seriously--the whole time. And I dont have to do anything to them. I love them. They make me smile every, single time I drive up to our house and see them.
   
2. Thanksgiving. I know I babble on an on about Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving too. Time with family. All of my favorite foods. (especially Jason's fried turkey!) The Macy's parade. The A&M vs. UT rivalry game. Reflecting on all our blessings and being completely overwhelmed, year after year. Thanksgiving is great.
   
3. Football Season. Truth be told, we have a love/hate relationship. I love high school football (especially the smell of the grass under those Friday night lights!). I love Aggie football. I love the Super Bowl (and those great SB commercials!) I don't so much love Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and occassionally Thursday night football.
   
4. Crisp, cool temperatures and a break (finally!) in the humidity.
   
5. Chili weather. In this case, the food, not the temperature. (In case you can't differentiate between the two spellings) Chili was the very first recipe I "made up", and I daresay I make a mean pot...but something about making chili pre-October just feels wrong.
   
6. Fall colors. Brown, red, orange---they're so rich! I love decorating the house for fall!
   
7. Feast of Carols. An annual concert at Bryan High, in which the choir members dress in midievel garb and serve a delicious, 5-course meal, followed by a great Christmas/Chamber Choir concert. During the meal, the audience is put on the spot to recite funny poems and perform silly stunts. I loved being a part of Feast when I was in high school (goofy hat and all)...and I sure would love to go back as a dinner guest.
   
8. Cords! My absolute most favorite thing to wear. (I hope they're still in this year)
   
9. Trunk or Treat. Jason and I have participated (and dressed up!) in this annual church family event since the first year. I love seeing all the adorable kids in their costumes...one of whom will be Norah this year...but as for what's she's going to be...that is top secret!
   
10. Anniversary of our first date. Anytime we get a good cold snap, it reminds me of when Jason and I first started dating (October 1997) and how he was such a gentleman and offered me his prized letterman jacket to keep me warm.
    
11. Watching children jump in piles of raked leaves. If I'm lucky, I might catch this sight a time or two this year. It always makes me smile, and reminds me of my carefree childhood days. (I remember asking Memaw if I could rake her front yard once, just so I could jump in the leaves when I was through. Of course, I didn't include that tidbit of information in my offer to rake)
    
12. Hunting season. Not for me--for Jason. Its such a blessing to have a freezer full of venison to last us through the winter months. (Especially when that stock includes some Slovacek jalepeno-cheese sausage...yum!)
    
13. Christmas is coming!