I have drafts left unfinished. I’m overdue for a bit of an update around here. Quite frankly, it’s tough to look at my blog appearing so out of season. I’ll get around to it just like I get around to everything eventually.

Everything might be eventual, but to me everything is seasonal. Different times of the year call for different music, decorations, food, and drinks. The beer I was drinking in July is far different from the beer I drink in October. The wallflowers (Bath and Bodyworks) that are plugged in around my house are far different today than they were a month ago. Fall/Winter are, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. I love the smell of coffee or hot chocolate on a cold morning and the way the entire town looks after it’s rained a good, hard, cold rain.

Currently, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, pomegranate and touches of caramel waft through the house. We’ve planned trips to the pumpkin patch and farmer’s market, and as you’ve already seen the Halloween decorations are out, up and glowing. Last weekend Mike started pruning the backyard for winter and many of the zinnias are on their way out until next summer.

Earlier today I was sitting in my husband’s plaid, flannel robe sipping coffee while watching the news with my children. This year the school started “late starts” instead of “early outs” which means that once a month (more or less) the kids don’t have to be at school until 9:40am. Those mornings we make a decent breakfast (instead of the usual fare of oatmeal, cream of wheat, or eggs and toast) and enjoy hanging around together.

I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy late starts until the weather began to cool off and I found myself snuggled in Mike’s plaid robe padding around the kitchen in my slippers and scrambling eggs for breakfast burritos. That kind of morning feels like a preview to Thanksgiving break and Christmas vacation. The kids are just over a month into school and I’m already looking forward to the breaks and holidays.