ten things {i heart fall}.

fall is my favorite season. besides christmastime, it is hands down, my most *favorite* time of the year. and there is something oh-so-lovely about fall in new england. trees turning such brilliant shades of red, gold and orange. cool, crisp air with the hint of firewood burning in the distance. apple picking and pumpkin patches. tall boots and warm sweaters.

this post is all about the things i {heart} about this most wonderful time of the year.

1. fall foliage.

in just a couple of weeks the leaves here in maine should be at their peak. the forests will become patchwork-quilt-like, dotted with bright, bold hues... golden leaves carpeting the grass. it is an absolute display of god's handiwork and i can't wait to take it all in this year.

2. boots.

it's always an exciting time for me when i get to unpack my boots, where they have been hibernating all summer, just waiting for the weather to turn cold. one of my all-time wardrobe staples, this picture shows my favorite pair i bought last year from old navy. skinny jeans + boots = one.happy.girl.

3. fall-scented candles.

i have some burning even as i type. a couple pecan-pie scented candles and an apple one in our kitchen. how can you resist? the minute labor day is over, i can't wait to fill our home with the delicious scents of pumpkin pie, apple crisp and cinnamon. doesn't reading those scents just make you feel warm&fuzzy?

4. pumpkin goodies.

i love everything pumpkin. pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pancakes (see my recipe here)... but i would have to say that there's still nothing that can compare to the ole classic: pumpkin pie. thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without it.

5. cute costumes.

i have always thought halloween is kind of a pointless holiday... until i had a little one to dress up :) now, i start buying halloween costumes in september; i just can't help it they are so cute. last year, we dressed bella up as a flower, which was adorable and this year we bought her this super sweet strawberry costume from old navy. i'm just hoping she will keep the hat on for at least two seconds so we can get a good pic...

6. football.

i love football. and nick? well, he played football in high school and college and has coached it as well... so, we are a football-loving-family, which makes for really fun sundays from september through january. our home cheers on the patriots (me) and the cowboys (nick) and several fantasy teams between the two of us.

7. picking apples.

one of my favorite childhood memories. today bella and nick went for their first apple picking trip of many... we picked a whole bag full and only paid twelve dollars. on the menu? applesauce, apple crisp, a pie or two, an apple breakfast dish for my crockpot and some apple dumplings. i'd better get cooking...

8. sweaters.

one of my favorite things to wear. there's nothing comfy-er than wrapping up in a thick, warm sweater on a crisp, fall day. i think i need a shopping trip to the jcrew outlet :)

9. comfort food.

ahhhh, comfort food. i love cooking in the fall and winter because it means using my crockpot a whole lot, soups, chowders, chicken&dumplings, chili and homemade biscuits. yum. i think your family should always know what season it is by what you give them for dinner... that's how i like to cook anyway; if it's fall, i want my food to feel like fall :)

1o. fall crafts and home decor.

i used to love going to barnes&noble to study while i was in school... i especially loved it in the fall because my study breaks consisted of a pumpkin spice latte and flipping through a martha stewart living magazine, checking out all of her beautiful fall decor and dreaming of my someday-house. well, now i still dream of what my house will look like once we get fully unpacked and settled, but i did manage to put out some pretty gourds today! tis the season ;) hopefully i will get my act together and at least make a wreath or something...

what are the things YOU love about fall?