Yeah for Fall!!

Have I mentioned that I love fall? No? Well I LOVE fall.

I didn't always feel this way. I used to equate fall with winter being just around the corner. But that was probably because I lived in Edmonton where it's WAY darker in the winter (and subsequently darker in Autumn) and it starts to snow in September (or at least October) and sticks around until April with -40 temps for most of those months (at least in my memory anyway).

Then I moved to Promised Land where there are actually leaves that change colour and stay that way for more than a week. It's not uncommon for any snow that does show it's face prior to December to melt quickly and we have this beautiful thing called a Chinook where the warm California air gets pushed up through the Rocky Mountains and gives us gloriously warm and sunny days in the middle of winter. They happen every couple of weeks and I love them.

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So, now I consider fall a new beginning (which is weird because all the plants are dying). It's when school and other activities start back up. It's the beginning of new routines (I LOVE routines!) and it's the beginning of the Christmas season, which in my mind officially begins on November 1st with the prep officially commencing the day after (Canadian) Thanksgiving (not to mention the pre-prep - you know, the prep for the prep - that starts in August or September, but that's neither here nor there).

Today will be the beginning of a new season with the choir that I sing with. And it's going to be SUCH a fun season. I can't wait to fill my iTunes with all the songs to practice along with (including Christmas songs!).

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 It's also the beginning of a piano season. This year I will be teaching piano and tonight I meet my first student of the year. I love the anticipation of kids when they get to start something new. On Thursday I get to meet the rest. I don't know who is more giddy for it to start. Hehe!

Mady will start some dance lessons in a couple of weeks with her cousin. Mark is in Orchestra. Poor Kate is the only one not old enough to be officially registered in anything, but we'll make sure she still has lots of fun.

Our calendar is packed. My schedule is planned. Meals are prepped (or at least planned). Papers are organized. Lists are made (you KNOW the lists are made. Ha!). And we're ready to go!

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Ahhh! I LOVE this time of year. Pretty soon the spicy aroma of nutmeg and pumpkins, apple pies and cinnamon, and the comforting smells of casseroles and quick breads (heck maybe even slow breads) will be filling my kitchen. Mmmm, mmm.

As the Staples ad says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Isn't it??