It’s that time of year again when we move to adding an extra hour to our day. Is it really adding an extra hour? When did this crazy tradition start? Did we originally lose an hour or gain one? All I know is I haven’t embraced it for years. Although I don’t embrace it, who doesn’t prefer an extra hour of sleep? But on the other hand, is that because I feel like I want to go to bed at 6:30? Darkness and cold signify pajamas and sleep for me, I don’t know about you.
Yeah, I know it was originally done to save energy… Daylight saving time they call it… Although, like everything else in this topsy-turvy world, it is up for “debate.” It has been talked about being scrapped altogether, just like we are scrapping most every known American tradition. Well, I for one, would not be sad if it went away… one of the few things I can actually get on board with.
For me, this practice puts more emphasis on the beginning of our autumn season. As of right now, we have not implemented “daylight saving time.” That will be in a couple of weeks. But we have been in full swing fall mode for a good couple of weeks. According to the calendar, it started on September 23rd. And of course, the stores were getting us ready back in August! For some reason, we as humans have to be ahead of the game. We prep for so long that we don’t even recognize when it’s here. Half the time, it has arrived and we are late to the game!
So technically, fall has been upon us for almost a full month. I feel like we in New England experience fall better than anywhere else in the country (maybe I am a little biased). We get to see the beautiful leaves change as they turn those gorgeous hues of gold, orange, and red. The air gets crisp, and it turns into “sweater weather”! Personally, fall is my second favorite season following spring. Although our surroundings are preparing to slumber, fall still holds so much beauty before our eyes close for the ultimate hibernation. Then BAM! Here comes the frigid cold.
With fall, not only comes apples, pumpkins, sweaters, and cider but also many people’s favorite holiday: Halloween! I love fall but Halloween has never really been one of my favorite holidays. Even as a kid, I did not love it. I did not particularly like the scary element of the Holiday. But one would think with candy being the incentive; what kid would not love it? Maybe it was my mother’s rationing of candy… Mine lasted until the following Halloween. 🤣
However, I have a lot of friends who absolutely love it. And the incentive now is not the candy but the PARTY!!! I enjoy it the most from an adult perspective when one of my friends throws her big Halloween bash. It’s not every year, so it makes it more special when it is one of those years. I believe she throws one every three years. Looking forward to the next one. They usually revolve around a theme. One of my favorites was “Going to the Grammys”. It was an all-out award winner. The red carpet, the impersonators, and of course, all of the guests dressing up as their favorite artists. It was such a blast. If you have to go to a Halloween party, this is one you would NOT want to miss. It’s always a showstopper.
Some pics from “Going to the Grammys”: tragic artists’ death scene, Hostess with Elton John, Joan Rivers and Stevie Nicks, Meatloaf and Tina
This year, although disappointed for not having a super party, I do get to enjoy the holiday. I get to see my granddaughter participate in Halloween for the first time. My daughter, being the creative teacher that she is, is catering to Alice’s clock obsession.
You are probably wondering, clock obsession? Alice is only 15 months old. And yes, as young as she is she has developed a love of clocks! All kinds of clocks!! Of all things! Who would have thought a clock would appeal to a young child. Quite frankly I’ve never seen or heard of it before. But I have been schooled. We watch a clock collector’s video every time I watch her. Just so you know I’m not making this up…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K43AngTZHWc Alice even has an outfit made out of clocks. I kid you not…compliments of Noni and her mother. I have to say it is quite cute.
So back to the costume! What could one possibly come up with for a clock costume? And make it a family costume as well? Lo and behold, Beauty and the Beast! Little Alice is going to be Cogsworth, mom, of course, the beautiful Belle, and dad is going to be Lumiere. The Beast, you say? Who will be the Beast? Wait… wait for it… lol
I’m so looking forward to seeing them all dressed up as a family. I can’t think of a cuter idea to assuage my granddaughter’s clock fascination.
For me, once Halloween is finished I feel like winter is the following day… Everything moves too fast these days.. That darn clock keeps ticking faster… maybe Alice is trying to tell me something. If only I could stop the clock…. 🙁
NATALIE
Happy October! We are more than half way through what I would describe as the flagship month of Autumn. Technically speaking, the season does not start until the Autumn Equinox towards the end of September. I for one tend to follow the unofficial start dates for each season however. Memorial Day starts Summer, Labor Day starts Fall, Black Friday starts Winter, not too sure about Spring. As soon as Labor Day is over I am more than ready to pack away my swimsuits and embrace all things apple, pumpkin, football, and cool weather.
One of my favorite parts of growing up in the northeast has been getting to experience the “stereotypical” seasons. I would say fall by popular vote is the best season. I have never heard anyone complain about the fall. Autumn brings cool days, still just nice enough to enjoy outside activities that we forgo in the winter but with all the added coziness that the summer time lacks. And possibly the biggest win for fall…less allergies than the spring time.
My favorite thing about fall has to be that it starts the holiday season. Of course, first up is Halloween. I have never been a fan of horror and gore so I opt to making the holiday “spooky” rather than all out scary. I love making my boyfriend and our families spooky baskets at the beginning of the month. It’s reminiscent to me of being “BOO’D” as a child. For anyone who has never been boo’d; friends/family/neighbors take turns dropping off baskets of Halloween goodies. The point is to be swift and anonymous in your delivery, as if a ghost dropped it off, hence…getting booed.
It has been a decade since I’ve done any trick or treating for myself, I still love pumpkin carving or painting and putting together costumes as I did when I was little. This year I’ll be visiting Salem for the first time over Halloween weekend. Since I have a bit too much fear and paranoia to go to any of the haunted-chainsaw-zombie-axe carrying-terrorize you attractions, I am excited to spend Saturday in Salem. Check out Halloween New England if you’re looking to find something to do for this Halloween.
The coziness of fall weather is perfectly complimented by the foods of the season, another favorite part of this time of year for me. It seems in the last few years any and everything has at least some trace of pumpkin in it. From the grocery store, to candle aisle, to coffee shop as soon as August hits you can expect to find something “pumpkin” everywhere. My general rule is sticking with apple flavored things throughout September and then full send into pumpkin for October through November. While pumpkin might be the star of the show, there are so many delicious and comforting foods and meals to make this time of year. Of course leading up to our second fall holiday…Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving seems to get so overlooked every year with stores just ready to jump from Halloween to Christmas. Even Santa comes out at the end of the Macy’s THANKSGIVING Day Parade. However, it is one of my absolute favorite days of the year and I would assume most people’s as well. The final time to take in all the pumpkin spice before we trade it in for peppermint and gingerbread flavors in December.
Along with all the traditions and celebrations comes with the inevitable tasks of every holiday. For Halloween that is of course the execution of a perfect costume. With only a few days left, I am still very much in the process of costume brainstorming and designing. I should probably start scouting costumes that include rain boots and an umbrella. For being the season with a reputation of the best weather, anyone here in New England hasn’t been so lucky this year. 13 out of the last 19 weekends has rained if you didn’t know. Nonetheless, as we close out October, I hope you’ve all gotten to enjoy at least some fall festivities so far and in the very least, some good fall meals.
