Hello Girlfriends! I just want to say, your touching comments about our Dads (!), the Peter Rabbit Room, Domesticity City, and the newest recipes, plus all the connections we’ve been making with one another have made me so happy; I’ve been trying to think of a way to show you how much I’ve enjoyed reading them! This Fall Giveaway is the result! xo
Plus, October arrives this weekend! So let’s celebrate all us kindred spirit vagabonds and our wild gypsy blood with this . . .
. . . gorgeous quilt, which will soon be in the hands of some lucky winner! All you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, and answer one simple little question: What’s YOUR favorite thing about fall? ♣ Here are some hints and possibilities, to get your clock a tickin’ . . .
If you win, you could do this with your new, old, vintage quilt, and that might be your most favorite thing about fall this year. Putting the sweet in Home Sweet Home.♥
Or maybe you love outsmarting the first freeze and getting the last of the tomatoes in from your garden to ripen on the window sill… because they look so darn cute up there!
Or is it the cozy quiet back-to-school kind of morning when you’re alone in the kitchen with the cinnamon toast?
Or is it the way your house smells with your little dinners of acorn squash and homemade chicken and mushroom soup? That could definitely be it! ♣
You could eat that soup in front of this wonderful old movie, which if you haven’t seen, you would love. Have dinner with Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. Bring your twelve-year-old daughter. ♥ ♥ ♥
Or maybe the change of season is so wonderful because we get to have more fires, turn off all the lights and pretend it’s 1840.
Or could it be the sound the leaves make when we crunch through them and kick them into the air? Don’t we just love it when they cartwheel down the road, tip to tip? Or, when we get to make wishes on the ones we catch in mid-air?
Or is it this, the smell of cedar, juniper trees, bayberry, musky rotting leaves, thick dampness in the air, salt and ocean; being swept along the dirt road by the wind filled with flying leaves; looking at Joe, cute in his black beret, the woodland around us laced with spider webs sparkling with dew on foggy mornings . . . could this be it? Yes, it could!
Or, it could be when we reach under the leaves to discover the freebies in the compost heap, volunteers we didn’t plant? We even got a spaghetti squash this year!
♣ ♣ ♣
It’s a season of the little things in life that make it so special. Let the fun begin! What do you love most about the sweetest season? And btw, not to forget, Hellooooo down there in Aussie Land and everyone south of the equator! Tell us all what it is about spring that makes you fall in love all over again??? Inquiring minds want to know! xoxo Have a wonderful Day! You have until midnight tomorrow night (Wednesday Sept. 28 est.) to comment and be entered!
With Love from the Heart of the Home and Me! ♥
Tha air and the light. Everything changes with the coming of Fall. I love the crispness in the air, trips to the pumpkin farm and the apple farms here in Northern California. Fresh baked pies…its the beginning of the HOLIDAYS for me!!!
My favorite part of fall is the grain trucks passing by my house, full of corn, the smell of the fields after they have been harvested, and the best part is the smell from the tobacco barns as the curing begins. My cat loves to run after the swirling leaves as they fall from the trees! The long walks with my husband, holding hands, and just being together without saying anything at all!
what a amazing giveaway!
I love everything about fall! I love rainy days, staying in when it is dark outside lighting a candle and getting lost in a book or watching law and order. I love all the foods that go along with fall, and most of all I look forward to cozy beds, lots of flannel sheets and being snuggled up!
I love to make applesauce (with apples from a nearby orchard) for the zillions of friends and family that have October birthdays. What a great month to be born in!
I don’t know if my earlier comment went through or not, since I don’t see it, but I’m really enjoying reading everyone else’s so it doesn’t matter.
Don’t you just love EVERYTHING about fall? The woodsmoke, the comfort food, the nesting? Ah.
My favorite thing about the fall season is I can finally leave the summer sunshine and come into the house and enjoy being in the house to work on those Christmas Crafts. I do love all the colors of the leaves & pumpkins. This SLO town girl is looking forward this fall to meeting you at “Remnants of the Past”!
See you there!
I love the milder weather and the color of the leaves changing. I look forward to going for a drive in the mountains and seeing the all the fall colors on display!
What a sweet giveaway, Susan!! I look forward to Autumn most for my hot tea mornings, and second to those, a crackling fire in the fireplace. One more thing I look forward to–the smells outside–fresh, cool air, wood burning… I love it! 🙂
Katherine
aka livingandloving on twitter
Hi Katherine!
I love making butternut squash soup and eating it in front of the fire, but my favorite thing about fall is making a picnic and driving up the blue ridge parkway to see the leaves. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the season with loved ones. (Plus a great excuse to make some seasonal cutesy treats for the occasion) Car rides are the best way to catch up. No one has the time to really talk any more, but for those hours it’s just you and your girlfriends chatting about everything and nothing, just enjoying the ride.
I love the crispness in the air and fall leaves! The smell of my kitchen while I’m baking 🙂
I love being able to wear sweaters and boots! Definitely love the coolness of the weather after a California summer.
I love the beautiful array of colors in the trees and leaves! We live in Saskatchewan on an acreage and my husband and I spent an afternoon riding quad last weekend. Finding the most beautiful hills and rivers decorated with all shades of yellow, gold, red and green and completing the day with a beautiful red sunset!
What wonderful photos in today’s blog.
My favorite part of autumn are the leaves changing colors and playing with the children and dogs in piles of leaves.
Happy Autumn!
This year is my 2nd autumn season experience. The first thing I love about autumn season is when the leaves getting red. That is something I had never seen before in my life (I came from a tropical country in South East Asia; we only have dry season and raining season there). Still, on the second year, things like that amazes me, especially when the sun is about to go down and the rays shine directly on those pretty trees as a special highlight… Every time we’re driving in the car, my husband will hear me say, “Oh look, it’s yellow and red!”
Fall in Oklahoma means cheering on your hometown football team on Friday nights!!! From pre-game pep rallies, community spaghetti suppers, and of course homecoming parades; to pom-pons, letter jackets, and fight songs we always look forward to spending those crisp autumn nights sipping hot chocolate in the bleachers. AND THEN there’s coming home to a warm fire and your flannel P.J.’s. This is perhaps my favorite thing about fall…
There is nothing about Fall that I don’t love! Cooler nights, that shade of afternoon light that seems to only occur at this time of year, changing leaves, pumpkins, the smell of wood burning fires during evening walks, time to reflect, time to nurture. It’s definitely my favorite time of year!
The sound of the wind coming up at my back and catching the leaves to push them ahead of me as I walk along the path around our small lake. The smell in the air, crisp and cool with the promise of a quiet moment with a steaming cup of tea when I get home. I decorate first with fall textiles; orange and black quilts cozy and warm.
Fall…my favorite season from the first smell of someone burning leaves to everything Halloween to finally the delicious Thanksgiving table surrounded by family and friends. The weather is perfect; not too hot, not too cold. I’ve lit my Yankee Candle Harvest candles and begun to decorate the house with all that is fall!
Dear Susan; asking my favorite thing about Fall? How can I be limited to “one” thing. Fall is my favorite season; the “one” thing I will get to shortly, but I love all the seasons and mark them in a special way. I have a collection of your beautifully illustrated seasonal mugs and 4x a year on each “change of season day” I pull out either the fall, winter, spring or summer mug, fix myself a special concoction and toast Mother Earth. My favorite thing of fall is: the cool, earthy smell of the air as the first fall wind whips up and around me, sending summer on its way with a whirlpool whoosh and a salute of colorful Sweetgum leaves. Thank you Susan for your inspiration! Love, Karen
I think if I had to pick one favorite thing about fall, it would be a word:
Jack-O-Lantern. Just a word, but ,oh, the gift it gives! Along with the leaves and the sharp pencils and the many things that signal the entrance of fall, it was my dad who would officiate its presence in my world by simply stating “Sal, I believe it’s time to carve the Jack-O-Lantern.” Oh, the unbridled anticipation!
I remember the trip to Safeway to make the perfect selection. I remember the fresh smell as my father cut of the top. I remember the cold and slipery insides as we scooped them on to a newspaper. I remember the glow of the lit candle we placed inside, bringing it’s crooked grin to life. I remember the crisp night, filled with wonder. And I remember my dad.
Years passed and my father and I experienced an estrangement that was not to be reconciled before his death. But when I hear that word, Jack-O-Lantern, I remember, and I know that he loved me. More importantly, as I repeat this ritual year after year, he knows I loved him.
That is so lovely!
My favorite thing about Fall is the feeling/mood it invokes and that we can all share in it !
My favorite thing about fall is how much my dogs love it. We spend lots of time outdoors crunching the leaves. They get so frisky they act like puppies again.
Hi Susan,
Fall is my favorite time of year. The cool, crisp air reminds me of walking to school in the early mornings – the trees still wet with dew. My tummy still had butterflies in September. By November I was OK : ) After school I would have hot chocolate and english muffin pizzas. Good times. Every year I look forward to The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. It was always my favorite special – in the days before DVD’s when you really could only see it once a year. Shocking! The smell of burning leaves in the air makes me crave roasted pumpkin seeds my mom would make while my Dad took me trick or treating on Halloween. That’s why I love fall. That and of course the beautiful colored leaves that flutter by the window.
Everything! It’s my favorite season. Pumpkin smells, crunchy leaves, yummy molasses cookies, cozy sweaters, quilts warm from the dryer!
I love the “blue and gold days” of fall. Where the maples leaves are big and golden and the skies are the bluest of blues!! (Having a birthday in October is THE best too!) 🙂
Does it count that it’s 9:06 pm PST on 9/28???? Pretty please count me in on the quilt give away!!
OKaaay. 🙂
Fall is my favorite season for many reasons which include the cooling weather and fall color in the trees. I love planting pansies all over my yard and coming in to have a cup of tea and freshly baked cookies. Also, our wedding anniversary is in October, and it’s such a beautiful season to get away to celebrate! I love this blog Susan… it always makes me happy to read what you have to say. Thanks so much 🙂
And vice versa Doris!
I love the smell of applebutter simmering away in my oven. This goes into pretty jars to gift friends and hostesses! The bounty of the earth makes me thankful for all that I have.
That’s easy! If I had to sum it up in one word it would have to be “warmth”. It’s everywhere in the fall. In the colors of the leaves, vegetables and flowers. The foods we bake and simmer. In the flickering glow of candles, bonfires and fireplaces. The way the setting sun gilds just one side of everything it touches. In the cozy clothes that we pull out this time of year. It’s in our thoughts, our words and our embraces. But most importantly, it’s in our hearts.
I love the fall season for all the beautiful leaves changing color, the cooler nights and the calmness that it all seems to bring.
Oh my favorite thing about fall is the start of soup season. The thing I love about soup season is it lasts through fall, winter, and spring! And now that I think about soup season, it makes me think of quilt season which also starts in the fall. Do I really only have to choose one thing? So many! Thank you Susan for thinking of us while you were enjoying your trip. You are such a sweetie and such a kindred spirit for so many of us.
You’re so welcome. Computers make it all possible! I used to write snail mail letters in response to the wonderful mail I received, but this goes a whole lot quicker! And everyone gets in on it! Love it.
For me it’s all the smells of Fall, my favorite season of the year. And the anticipation of the coming holidays and reasons to get together. Susan, every time I look at the photo of your Dad’s hands holding the coffee cup, I tear up. I so wish I had a photo like that of my Dad’s hands. You are so fortunate to have such a treasure. Best Fall wishes to you and Joe.
That’s just how I feel, I don’t know what made me think to take that photo, but I am so HAPPY I did! I did my mom’s hands yesterday.
I love Caramel Apples! Nothing quite like that crisp apple, and all that luscious caramel just blending together and dripping down my chin. Yummmmmmmm! Now, that says FALL to me!
I too love the autumn of the year. I also love your blog, books, cards, etc.
Thank you Nancy!
I love the fall the best, growing up in New England, I love the different colors of leafs and the smells in the air, how crisp it felt, wearing sweaters and jeans!!
Spring reminds me of fresh new life! new flowers and tress bring out new leafs, smells of liliacs and roses, I ,love the best!! SusanC
Fall…my favorite time of year! I love everything from the smells in the air to the smells in the kitchen! It’s like everything changes overnight. My favorites are the smell of burning wood in the fireplace, fresh spiced cider, that first big pot of chili or vetetable soup simmering on the stove. Its finally sweater weather!! And what a feast for the eyes……golds, reds, greens and browns…we are surely blessed!!
One of my favorite things about Fall is getting all our Halloween decor out & up. It is like seeing old dear friends again.
I love Spring because of all the new life around me – ducks on the pond, flowering trees, roses blooming again, time in the garden, the list goes on and on.
The first Macintosh apple!!!!! As a kid growing up in Connecticut we always went to the cider mill in the fall. We used to eat fresh Macintosh apples and drink delicous cider. So that first Macintosh apple of the season, it brings a huge wave of great memories, crisp beautiful days filled with the colors of fall! I am now in Florida so I don’t get to experience all of the wonder that fall brings in…. Hopefully, God Willing, that will change soon 🙂
Greetings from down here in Aussie Land 🙂 We aren’t eligible for the competition down here, however I’m adding my Spring thoughts as you requested (wow your site was swamped eh Susan). Spring in the big land down under means waking up to beautiful blue skies calling us to get out of bed and look at all the new blooms bursting out of their pods, the freedom of loose light clothing, walking on the beach and watching the sunrise then at the end of the day the huge red sunsets. It’s the easy lull before the heat of summer – it makes me think of when we are young and carefree (Spring) before family and responsibilities came along (Summer).
Whatever season we are in let us enjoy it, share with good friends and family.
Yes, it was a bit of a surprise to put it mildly! But you are eligible as far as I’m concerned, as long as you have a mailing address and someone who delivers! Loved your “seasons” — xoxo
I love the sound of the school bus turning around in front of our house before daylight when the house is dark and cool, the smell of burning fireplaces, the distant sounds of the high school band practicing and football games, the crinkling sound of leaves under my feet, the aroma from pumpkin scented candles in my sunroom, the bright yellow and orange mums on my front porch, and most of all… the cool, crisp air starting to seep into the atmosphere.
And, I LOVE being able to use beautifully warm and cozy quilts!
Ok, I know I am too late for the contest. Been busy working. But I think my absolute favoritist thing about fall – hard to pick, as there are soooooooooo many – is the color of the sky. Have you ever noticed how the sky goes from a washed-out blue jean sky in the summer to a deeper, crisper, more turquoise blue in the fall? One of my favorite indicators here in Missouri. We get a little color in the leaves, but not like up north – which I really miss – so I will take my color where I can get it. Love, love, love fall and all of its accoutrements. Have a fantastic day today! Raquel
Oh, and having my birthday Smack dab in the middle of October is a bonus as well!
Happy Birthday Raquel!!
The wonderful, warm colors are what I love best about fall. Oranges, rusts, browns, golden yellows, sparkling reds.
Autumn, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways! At least a few of them….first off, sweater weather! warm socks, scarves and such to wear on walks around the neighborhood under a crystal clear blue sky. Coming home and lighting a candle or two, and heading to the Heart of The Home to conjure up dinner. Slow simmering stews and home made bread to fog up the kitchen windows. The chickadees are back and take their turns zooming in for a landing on the feeder like planes at JFK. And PANSIES, loads of pansies in my favorite periwinkle blue color, if I can find them…my annual treasure hunt at the nurseries. Holding hands around the table, giving thanks for the turkey, for our loved ones, and for a simple, happy life.
My favorite thing about THIS fall is a pumpkin surprise. We do not have a true compost heap, but last fall I left the decorative pumpkins out to rot in the snow. Two vines sprung up in two different places, only one survived and blessed us with a cute little “Sugar Baby”. I have just brought it in and will be setting up the front porch autumn scene this weekend. Every year we get unfertilized maize ‘planted’ by the squirrels and birds (from the indian corn decorations) and sunflowers, also ‘planted’ by the birds – first time for a pumpkin! Autumn is the best of the seasons, a fresh start for me!
My favorite memory about this time of year is playing in the leaves from a catapla tree as a child. Their leaves are so big and to a child it is wonderful to splash through a pile. At the age of 50 years old, my husband and I sold our home of 25 years to build our “empty-nester” house in the shadow of that wonderful old catapla tree.
Fall is a basket full of memories, scents, feelings, and events…to look up and see the crispest most bluest of skies, edged by the colors of the season…to smell the scent of autumn – that woodsy smell of fallen leaves and earth mingled with the cold air……to see, almost overnight the magical change of colors…and marvel at the wonder of it all…to open the cedar chest and delight in the most wonderful of wool sweaters that you forgot you had…and then remember how much you love meat loaf and scalloped potatoes…to hang that great fall wreath that shouts “Welcome”…to fluff the nest and light the candles and to settle down into home…and then turn the clocks back…seemingly to let the season linger just a bit longer!
inspiring golden, bright colors of maple & elm trees, sleeping under blankets while cool air enters opened bedroom windows, the smell of nearby burning leaves, the crunch of fresh-picked tart apples, memories of celebrating my son’s birthday when he was younger: scavenger hunts through the woods with neighborhood children, the mouth-watering aroma of my husband’s chocolate chip pecan pie just from the oven…there’s no end to my favorite things about this magical season!
I know I’m late but I would love this quilt. My grandma gave me a quilt long ago and I kept it in a nice little plastic bag so nothing would happen to it, Then a fire came to our home and burned it down along with the quilt. So what I would do with this quilt is wrap up in it each day in the fall and winter and think…of my grandma.
I’ve loved reading all these blogs with such beautifully written words! Choosing a winner will be so difficult for you! Looking forward to seeing the picture of your Mom’s hands, & I’m going to photo my Mom’s hands on her 96th birthday the 12th! Great idea, thanks!
Fall is the beginning of the “Family Season” when all the gatherings start and thoughts of Thanksgiving……my favorite holiday is fast approaching. I remember making leave forts with my brother and then jumping in them when we were done with it. I love all the smells of Fall especially pumpkin pie baking on a cold day, and snuggling under the fleece sheets. I do have to admit it is a prelude to the cold icy Indiana Winters coming and that is the downside if there is one to Fall!!!! I have loved reading your blog and seeing all the pics of your train journey; it looked amazing. HAPPY OCTOBER TO ALL!!!!
My favorite things about fall—all the vibrant colors in the New England landscape, crisp days and hearty meals, snuggling up with my favorite someone in front of a crackling fire, HALLOWEEN!
I love the cool air that makes my dog come alive from his long summer nap and the smell of apples baking in the kitchen.
I enjoy the cool air and the Fall sounds that remind me of my childhood. I have a swing on my porch and when I sit in it, I close my eyes, I can see the view from my parents porch. I would wrap an old quilt around me that mother made, sit in the swing and enjoy the view and listen to the sounds around me. A tractor running, chickens clucking, a chainsaw cutting wood for the cold days , the smell of a fire and the rainy days. Wonderful days then and now.
I really enjoy changing the looks of my home for Fall. I love burning scented candles all day, making soup for those chilly evenings, baking apple pie, and placing quilts around the house to grab and wrap while reading or watching tv. I find myself drinking more hot tea in the afternoons, and hot chocolate in the evening. And most of all, I take in the beauty of the changing colors knowing that soon and very soon winter white will replace the color!
Please include my name in your giveaway. I would love to win the quilt!
Fall is my favorite time of year, it energizes me! I’m not sure what my favorite thing about fall is, but today I am enjoying the smells of this season. Cool breeze, cinnamon toast, wood shavings (my son’s projects in the garage). This morning I’m taking the time to go for a long walk.
Thank you for including me in this fun giveaway.
My favorite thing about fall is the nip in the air and the subtle difference in daylight. Also, soup in the slow cooker, pumpkin pie with pecans and whipped cream, The World Series, snuggling up under a quilt, I can go on and on.
Taking long evening walks wrapping yourself in a chunky sweater. You can smell the woodsmoke in the air. To me that’s the absolute essence of Autumn.
Coming home chilled to a warm cup of hot cocoa with peppermint. mmm! We love driving up to the Beartooth Mountains (we live in Montana) and spending the afternoon driving on the old roads taking in all the beautiful fall foliage. We spend the afternoon there. We pack hot chocolate for the kids and something special for us. We bring warm bread baked with ham and cheese in it. Slice it up and ooh it’s delicious! We walk along the river and play like our own kids do. The girls gather special rocks for their collections and enjoy the last remaining few Monarchs dancing through the air on the brink of Mexico bound. On really chilly days I love making making hot apple cider and cookies for the kids to come home to. They walk (most days) to and from school by the time they are home, they are chilled and starved! It seems to make them really happy. It gives them a strong sense of security and love from home. They know that I love them and care. They know that their home is their comfort and the one true place they can relish in.
~Love always means sacrifice~ elisabeth elliot
Thanks for your beautiful and inspiring post! Juleianna 🙂
Wearing warm sweaters and walking through the apple orchard, the sun shining warm and beautiful in the sky, with my husband and four now grown children, remembering the many years of sharing this wonderful seasonal activity together.
Sigh…..I love this time of year.
Here in Santa Cruz, fall is when everything falls quiet again. The tourists go home, and we have the long, lovely beaches all to ourselves in the pink sunset light…
The return of the crows. I love to listen to them “talk”. I feel that they are having a good gossip session and wonder what they are saying about me!
Oh fiddle sticks! I can’t believe I didn’t get over here yesterday to enter this SPECTACULAR giveaway! What a wonderful gift you’ve given Susan. It’s a gift just to get to read your blog and to get to hear and see Y♥U.
Those mushrooms smelled wonderful!!!
♥Lee Ann
I’ll do another one…this was so much fun!
I really like the Bliss Carman quote. Susan, is that your design?
Yes, it’s in the Autumn Book, and also in this month’s (I think) Blotter Calendar.
I am loving reading all the wonderful, cozy and inspiring posts from everyone!! This is a gift for us all! Though the contest is over, I’d like to add that my favorite things about the fall season are the gorgeous colors of the leaves, the brisk chill in the air, time for baking and cooking and lighting cozy fire, spending more time with my family and kittycats ….the warmth of it all. Thanks Susan for creating this blog and giving us all this gift of sharing.
Thanks for being here Darlene!
The leaves blowing around sound like frying chicken and the air is much kinder and smells clean and sweet. 🙂
Fall is my favorite time of year. There are so many things I love. I take out your Fall book and make homemade chicken broth. My girls and I go to the local pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin and take cute pictures. We love to drive through the leaves when a gust of wind blows them into the air. Have a wonderful Fall.
I love the start of the cool air ! I live in So Cal and we have such “hot” summers,
the start of the crisp air is so refreshing! It also signals cooking season ! I love
fall foods, pumpkin being my favorite ! Another favorite is making soups, going to
try a new one Tamale Soup.
It’s been chilly here! I know what you mean! Need sweaters!
My favorite part of Fall is the cool, crisp air and the beautiful falling leaves! I love to decorate my room for Halloween and Thanksgiving! Something in the air just makes you excited, happy & hopeful!
Enjoying a cup of morning coffee on the deck looking at the Smoky Mountains wrapped in my favorite soft snuggly robe. Cinnamon toast and coffee.
Love all of your favorites.
Rita
I spent my first 25 years in MA and NY and now that I live in Fl I really miss the change of seasons. Autumn is still my favorite. I love going up North in Oct. when I can, but even though I don’t see the leaves change and all that wonderful stuff, I definately have Autumn inside my house! I just love all the warm Fall colors, so I decorate every single room in my house with pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows, you name it! All the Spring and Summer colors disappear and everything turns red, orange, rust, brown, green like magic! Yes, I even have an orange tooth brush and Autumn leaves on my shower curtain and a quilted comforter. As I look out my window now I see my neighbor’s bright orange house and it makes me smile! Everyone calls it the “Pumpkin House”. I love it. Three years ago at an antique store in MI I came across “The Haunted Attic” by Margaret Sutton printed in 1932. It’s Autumn-themed, so now every Oct I read it again and I enjoy it as much as I did the first time than 50 years ago. Right now the it’s cool and rainy out and feels wonderful with the A/C off and the window open. YAY!
I love the beauty of fall, the sunsets,and the fact that my husband and I can eat Scrapple together for breakfast.
To make glass objects free of any build up soak in Coca-Cola – rinse with water & air dry. Coke will not harm the surface but it eats through anything. In extreme cases it can take time (24 hours). Thank you for sharing your beautiful insight to life.
Nice to know next time I get thirsty for a Coke! 🙂
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