I can’t wait for fall!

  It is my absolute favorite season.

  The leaves on some trees have just begun to turn colors and fall, meaning I can start getting excited for the season without people thinking I’ve started celebrating too early.

  But I figure that if department stores can begin putting out their fall items in June, I can get festive early in the year. I’m just saying.

  By August, I am OVER the months of Georgia heat and humidity and so ready for that cool fall breeze. I was over the moon excited to see that temperatures would be in the 60’s and 70’s this week. Yay!

  Another great thing about the fall? Fun clothes!

  I love the chunky sweaters with pumpkins and cats all over them. And stripes. And llamas that light up.

  Spooky socks with ghosts and witches and cats on them are also must-haves to get through the holidays.

  I also have a blanket obsession that becomes socially acceptable once it cools off and warrants a new holiday blanket or two to keep warm.

  I do love a blanket, or three, during the summertime, but I blast the AC to make it comfortable. A plus about fall? There’s no need to waste heat and I can use any of my festive blankets to keep warm!

  Candles are also in now that it’s getting colder, except I have to be verrrry careful around the tinder box that is my room stacked high with books.

  Movies are the best during the fall too! Some of my favorites are “Casper,” “The Haunted Mansion,” “The Addams Family,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Halloweentown.” My all-time favorite movie being “Hocus Pocus.”

  Freeform’s 31 days of repeated programming before Halloween puts me in the holiday spirit in just the right way. And watching “Hocus Pocus” 25 times leading up to Halloween can never be enough.

  Food Network also has some amazing Halloween-themed television shows that are so wonderful! My favorites are the Halloween baking, decorating, and pumpkin-carving competitions. It’s so awesome what people can make with a pumpkin or some icing in a two-hour time limit. I’d still be trying to come up with a creative idea once the time ran out.

  My two black cats also fit in better during the fall. Nothing says cute but spooky more than a black cat with bat wings! They don’t stay on the cats long though, so I have to enjoy it while it lasts.

  Fall-themed books are also a must. They’re books I’m unable to read any other time of the year because I’m a chicken. Somehow, the holidays are emboldening. Books on my list for this year include “It” by Stephen King, “The Haunting of Hill House,” by Shirley Jackson, and “The Shadows” by Alex North.

  Another plus to fall? The food.

  I know. Like all we haven’t done in quarantine is eat, right? But still. There’s nothing like holiday food; a buffet of all of the items that only make their debut twice, maybe three times a year- if you’re lucky.

  Sam’s Club also recently put out their HUGE bag of Reese’s Pumpkins and I had to snag a bag (or two) before they sell out. I have to be sure I have enough of a supply to last until Reese’s Christmas Trees are released!

  Fall decor is also fun.

  I love pumpkins (real or ceramic), seasonal yard inflatables, and lights that literally transform the world making it all so magical.

  To me, fall just seems cozier.

  A hot chocolate, a book, a blanket,  and a cat (or five) on my lap makes for the best evenings and weekends.

  The first day of fall is not for another week or so, but I am so excited for the fall season.

  Another plus about the fall? Spending time with family.

  I know many family units have spent a lot of quality time together during quarantine, but there’s nothing like a festive holiday family gathering to put me in a good mood.

  Did I also mention that I’m looking forward to the food?

  Happy fall, y’all!