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October 4, 2011

The Season of Good Things and Giving

Autumn to me is the season of good things and giving. There is something in the air, even at the first hints of the coming of Autumn, that electrifies my soul. Autumn feeds my senses with delights.

When the first colors start to make their appearance, my eyes feast on the variations. There is something thrilling about discovering the first leaves of color change. I love the colors of Autumn!
I love the tastes of Autumn. Surely you've noticed that the flavor of our food completely changes when the season changes. I start to crave things like beef stew and soups, home made bread and pecan pie. My newest craving is for some of these sticky-bun pumpkin muffins Mom made last weekend. Just their name has "Fall" written all over it! I can't wait to try the recipe when we get home.


The food falls into the scents of Autumn as well. I can just imagine how wonderful those muffins must smell. But even more than the scents of the food, I love the sharp smells the outside air takes on. The smells of baked grasses, warm earth, and so much more. I couldn't even really pin point what all goes into the "smell of Autumn" but it does have its own smell and I enjoy every whiff I get.

I love the sounds of Autumn! The crunch of dry grasses under my boots, the rattle of the breeze in dried leaves.

Even the birds songs seem to change. They are just as pretty as ever, but they seem to carry a new message, a note of "hurry," a calling together of friends to prepare for what's to come. I love listening to the birds songs in Autumn.
Another sound of Autumn for me is the music of George Winston. When I was a girl, my mom shared a record album with me. It was called December and I loved it. I've loved it ever since.  When the colors start to appear in the trees, and the grasses start to crunch, and good food starts to be craved, I get my December CD out and start listening to it.
It wasn't just the December album that my Mom gave me really, but a treasure of good music. I have since acquired a number of George Winston's albums and listen to them frequently. My other favorite of his is his Autumn album, and it too gets played frequently during this season.
There is just something about this season that speaks to me. Does it speak to you too? There is something exciting about it. And I love to share good things with my good friends. I can't share those muffins with you when I bake some, and I can't go for a walk with you on a beautiful fall day, but I can share the music of autumn with you! Here is a little sampling. Can you hear why I love it so much?




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A few of my favorite songs from my favorite two albums are on that playlist. And since Autumn begins, at least for me, a season of giving, I'm going to share the music of my favorite pianist further by giving these 2 Cd's to someone. I'll draw a name from the comments list next Monday, 10/10/11. If you would like a chance to be the one receiving the the Autumn and December CDs, all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and share with us what your favorite thing about Autumn is.

(And before I go, I just wanted to share a note on the cabin pictures in this post. This cabin sits by the road down near the summer pasture. It is an old log church, with a tiny graveyard hidden in the tall grasses nearby. I know nothing about its age or history, but hope to learn more about it in the future. I bet it has a story to tell.)

13 comments:

Shirley said...

I love the old cabin photos, especially the ones taken from inside.
The playlist won't play for me, because I'm in Canada and there are licensing restrictions on it. Never heard of George Winston, but I do love good music.
And those pumpkin muffins, well, let's just say I am not going to check out the recipe. I'm not.... not...nnn...

Oak Creek Ranch said...

I love George Winston too. Perfect mood music -- perfect for Autumn.

TexWisGirl said...

his music is beautiful, indeed! thanks for sharing (and the chance to win!) loved your photos of the cabin and trees. and your descriptions of autumn... :) thanks for a beautiful start to my day!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you when it comes to the Fall ... Autumn season ... I've already made molasses whole wheat bread; beans & ham soup, chili, biscuits & gravy [but that is good all year long!]. I think the "smell" of Fall is when someone has raked a pile of fallen leaves and is in a place where they can burn them ... Love that smell of burning leaves and Dinah Washington singing "September in the Rain" and baked squash of all kinds and flavors! Welcome to Fall and super good eating!! Love your Blog and your pictures and being able to travel along with you and your hubby and the Girls!!

small farm girl said...

Love the old cabin! Fall is my favorite time of year too.

Dreaming said...

You have mirrored my feelings with words I could not find to adequately state how I feel about fall. Thank you!
I love wondering about the stories places could tell if given the opportunity! It may sound strange, but I sometimes think I feel spirits of those who frequented older buildings in times long gone.

Oak Creek Ranch said...

I nominated you for a blog award. Drop by and pick it up when you have a chance.

Carol in Colorado said...

The story of the cabin and graveyard will be interesting. I love the old buildings and farms. I have a favorite old farm on I-70 eastbound out of Denver that I would love to know about the family, why they choose that spot, why they left it, etc.

I love Autumn too. The smells, sounds, the leaves turning brillant colors, and the snow starting to show on the mountain peaks of the Rockies.

She Who Doodles said...

thanks for sharing, you put autumn into words and great pictures. oh and can't forget those yummy looking muffins.

Sharon Tachenko said...

LOVE ANNETTE'S DECLARATION! I'LL SECOND IT! Your words pictures, visual pictures, and music all whet the appetite and imaginings! Thx for dropping in to share with us! Come by soon ~ in person!

Hugs!

WendyFromNY said...

Wow, can't wait to hear the story of the old log church.

Love the music, have you heard of Brian Crain? Light in the Window? Beautiful stuff.

I think Autumn is everyone's favorite season, what's not to love? The colors, the smells, even the comfort foods! Especially those~

Horses Are Our Lives said...

Your photos and writing is beautiful! I can tell you have written this from your heart! It's just lovely. I love old buildings, and I love the angle of the window shots. Yes, Fall is my favorite too, when the days are crisp and cool, but so far, we've had a very warm Sept and Oct. That may be changing, as rain is in the forcast (which we need, but don't really want the storms). Then we should drop to avg temps of low 70's. I'll take those temps! I will be ready for chili and the soups I love to have when it's cooler out. My very favorite thing about fall is riding the fields and seeing the changing colors in the trees!

Valerie said...

Loved this post! Can't wait to learn the story of the little church. How far is it from your house? Love you and miss you!