I’ve said it before: Fall is my favorite season of the year. It’s a busy time, with holidays each month and the preparation of the home and garden for winter, but such a lovely time for those reasons and so many more. I can’t let this season go by without a moment to reflect on a few of the things that I love about it, so I’ve compiled some thoughts and a little list to share with you.

But before I continue my fall-ish thoughts, one thing I’d like to share is that I’ve just been honored with my first blog award…sweet! Many gracious thanks to Eva from Kitchen Inspirations, who kindly nominated me for the Liebster Blog award. She’s a fellow in the graphic design field, a food lover, cook, and brave croissant maker(!!!) from Canada, whose blog I recently discovered and have really enjoyed following. Do take the time to check her out!  And please scroll down to see more details about this award…as well as find out who my own nominees are, as I pass along the baton!

The Liebster Blog Award is given to recognize your favorite up-and-coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 subscribers, and that you feel deserve more. It’s a cool way to meet more folks and learn some new things…and generally expand your horizons, in my opinion.

Rules are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 bloggers and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

Finding the five I wanted to nominate was tough because narrowing it down is so difficult. Also, if I’ve mistakenly hit someone who has this award already…so sorry, but it wasn’t obvious, and at least you now know I’m thinking about you!

And the nominees are:

Back Road Journal: My gosh, if you haven’t been following Karen’s adventures in Europe you certainly need to catch up immediately! In her day to day life, she’s based in New England and it’s always fun to follow her down the back roads.

The Kitchen’s Garden: Cecilia is a New Zealander turned mid-west U.S. sustainable farmer/chef/storyteller/livestock breeder/beekeeper/nutritionist/comedienne/all around fun-to-follow gal. When her book comes out I’ll be first in line to buy it. ‘Nuff said.

The Kale Chronicles: Sharyn hooked me with the brightly colored and charming illustrations she does for each and every post…I greatly admire that. And the posts are interesting reading, too! What a great children’s book those images would make paired with poetry, or even single words.

It’s Just the Booze Dancing: The name alone is intriguing, but the 4 folks who contribute and collaborate on the finer things in life have some mighty informative and well-written reviews of fine liquor and beer, and some fun stories to tell. In fact, I go there first if I want to know something about a spirit or potential beer to purchase.

A Hint of Garlic: This UK couple is even newer in the blog world than me, but they have some great food recipes and spirits tips…and I like their taste! Yorkshire Pudding is definitely in my fall line up.

Congrats to all! And now, back to my favorite season…

With the cooler temps, Fall brings a crisper attitude, a more spritely step, some flashy hot colored leaves and the promise of warm, snuggly-cozy evenings ahead. Like spring, fall can be a time of renewal, too. As the days get shorter you, like nature, are forced into rest—dormancy from the buzz and hum of the growth season. It’s a time of reflection and recharge. And yet in some ways, you’re still growing as you nest and nurture…dig in for the winter months, take stock of where you are, and start planning where you want to be. It’s a great time to be in the kitchen, creating new dishes for yourself, family and friends that will warm the tummy. I find myself inexorably drawn towards baking, roasting, and making deep, delicious stews. It’s the season.

Now here’s my list of a few more great things about Fall. Feel free to reply and contribute some of your own favorite things about this glorious season as well!

• My birthday is in the fall.

• Colorful leaves turning.

• Crisp, fall nights, and crisp French hard apple cider.

• Clear blue skies.

• Naps.

• Winter squashes and kale.

•  Chili! Soups and stews.

• Hot tea and hot chocolate.

• Leon’s fall cocktail menu.

• Cozy fires in the fireplace or fire pit.

• Colorful mums and pansies.

• Reading a good book, or 2, or 100.

• Trips to the mountains.

• Anything roasted in the oven.

• Red wine and hot buttered rum, but not at the same time.

• Halloween and pumpkins!!!

• Thanksgiving.

• October Beers and seasonal ales.

• Warm sweaters and warm hugs.

• Apple cobblers and fruit crisps.

• Warm cats…very warm and sometimes very fat cats.

• Fall at the beach.

• Brisk walks in the cool air.

• Watching a good movie on a Saturday night.

• A nip of some very good single malt scotch whisky.

• Playing with frisky kitties. That’s not seasonal at our house, but it’s fun to do any time of the year.

• The Liebster Blog Award!