Summer isn’t over until September 23. That means 38 more days of summer. Summer. My least favorite season. Ever. And my dislike has nothing to do with being pregnant during my first Texas summer in 7 years {though, it certainly isn’t winning any points}. Or that I’ve never been a fan of triple digit numbers when it comes to weather. I just don’t like being hot. Ever.

And while many people take signs of browning leaves and grass, such as this

as impending autumn weather, here in Texas you’d be wrong. That’s how our grass has looked since June.

As my friends across social media fill my screen with tales of cool weather and leaving their windows open, my heart misses autumn and Iowa. Because Iowa knew how to give a proper fall. And fall is my favorite season. Ever. 

1. Pumpkin Patches – I love picking out larger-than-my-head pumpkins. There’s something so fun and festive about pumpkins.

2. Apple Orchards – Ahhh… Wilson’s Orchard. How I will miss you and your wonderfulness this fall.

3. Crisp Nights – I love needing to pull on a cardigan at 8 o’clock in the evening because of a fresh crispness in the air. Love. It.

4. Fire Pits – And with crisp nights always comes fire pits. Long conversations with Jonathan and friends while the girls sleep. Simply heaven.

5. Open Windows – Windows wide open filling the house with a coolness and reprieve of summer.

6. Leaves Change Color – There’s something awesome about seeing leaves become golden before the fall to the ground. It’s just so peaceful.

7. Geese Migration – This might seem funny, but I love watching geese migrate. And we lived near a pond in Iowa, so I always got to see them make their flight South.

8. Pumpkin Spice Latte – I can’t think of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and not think of fall. And I can’t think of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and not think of my sweet friend Katie and our mornings spent chatting while our kiddos played {sad/missing you face}

9. Rain – A cool rain that might chill you or make you shut those open windows. At this point, I’d love any rain. Any.

10. Newness – For most people, they think of spring as new. Not me. I have always seen fall as new. New school year. New chapters in life. And this year, new baby. Fall in my mind always equals something new and exciting.

What’s your favorite season? 

Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.

*photo credit