Fall is my favorite time of year – hands down. Although I love aspects of other seasons – the coziness of winter by the fire, and the glories of the Advent season; the incredible regeneration of life in the spring; summer's smells of curing hay and sun-warmed grass – I am reminded every year why fall is my favorite season.
Pennsylvania is at her best in the autumn. Once the humidity is gone and the sun is still warm, it's a joy to watch the colors slowly come into the trees fringing the pastures or on the blue sweeping line of mountain. I love it when everything is still green and yet the goldenrod and wild asters shout that “summer is over” along the hedgerows. L. M. Montgomery calls wild asters, “farewell summers”, and I love that name for them. (Incidentally, it's time to read the Pat of Silver Bush books again!)
By the time the asters are over, the tree colors come in earnest, although at different times. The maples can be still all green while the walnuts and cherries are completely bare already. But there's always lots of color. Funny how dying life could be so splendid! Perhaps they know they'll be back next year.
Fall is a feast for the senses. Nothing can equal the glory of morning or evening sunlight streaming through crimson maple leaves in air that makes everything seem 3D. The eyes are full of seeing and the tongue with tasting. The riot of birdsong outside my bedroom window in the morning will soon give place to silence over the cold winter months.
In our family, fall is time for...
...making applesauce! We have a family work day on a Saturday and do a whole year's supply, with the help of a copper kettle. This year we did over 130 quarts, plus 2 batches of apple butter!...
...photo shoots with friends...
...comfort foods like Pumpkin Soup – a yummy favorite in cold weather!...
...the last crocheting on the porch swing for the year...
...wearing sweaters again, and vintage gloves and hats...
...crystal clear days, still warm but crisp...
...and hearty breakfasts!
In the fall we...
...look forward to the fires we will enjoy...
...take our last summer rides...
...finish up building projects (see the chicken coop in progress on the right)...
...do up the last of our food storing for the winter ahead...
...and so do the porkers!
We look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners...
...while enjoying an incredibly beautiful world to do our daily work in...
...and basking in all the manifold blessings God has given us so abundantly.
Summer and winter,
Seedtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
(from the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”)
Kristen, Your photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing fall in Pennsylvania. Reading your post and seeing the photos were like a poem:)
Posted by: Jamie Haney | 10/21/2013 at 03:20 AM
Thank you, Jamie! I'm so glad you were blessed.
Posted by: Kristen | 10/21/2013 at 05:13 AM