… to announce that FALL HAS ARRIVED. And because you were probably needing a break from wedding stories and photos. I promise people, they are almost over.

Don’t you just breathe a collective sigh of relief every year on October 1^st? I mean, I love summer – love it. But by the end of September I am cooked to a crisp, tired of reapplying deodorant all day, and have almost forgotten what my hair looks like without the added bonus of 100% humidity.

And then fall rolls with its cool promise of blustery evenings, steaming cider, and golden colors, and all I want to do is wear chunky sweaters and drink salted caramel hot chocolate. I want to break out my awesome cozy black cat socks (James might have judged them) and eat nothing but crisp apples (read: PIE) and these ridiculously easy pumpkin muffins. I want to watch The Village over and over and go around in this, my new fall coat that makes me look like a female version of Sherlock Holmes.  

It goes without saying that I think “Indian Summers” are a horribly dirty trick of Nature that makes me irrationally angry. Nothing perturbs me more than seasons that refuse to respect their boundaries and try to show up in months where they weren’t invited. Summer, let’s give it up gracefully and go hibernate in southern California for the next nine months.

Disclaimer: I can take no credit for the amazing artistic masterpiece above, that is, the Ron Swanson Jack-o-lantern. Our friend Richard carved it at our friends’ Oktoberfest party last night. Disclaimer #2: Yes, I did pick my pumpkin from the local pumpkin patch at Whole Foods. City life.

What are you most excited about for fall?