Back to School

We just picked up our first apples of the season!  Walmart had some lovely "Pink Lady" variety on sale tonight, and they are goooood.  Happy kids at this house tonight!  After a very tasty ham and bean soup, homemade cornbread, followed by a kid fave "sopapilla cheesecake" for dessert,  apples made the perfect bedtime snack.

I love this time of year...back-to-school season.  I love going to the parks, the zoo, the library, or anywhere else, and finding all these places suddenly void of activity.  Because everyone is in school, and in a whirlwind of activities...for the next NINE months!!  But for us homeschoolers, the world is our oyster!  No lines, no waiting, no crowds, and plenty of TIME.  The way Summer opens up the world for everyone else, Autumn opens up the world for us.

We school year round because learning is part of life, not an activity allocated for 7 hours 5 days a week, for 9 months. And because keeping our routine somewhat in sync, keeps our household running smoothly.  And because I like greater flexibility for all kinds of reasons. Still, this time of year brings unmistakable energy to the air.  Mornings are cooler again (or soon will be!); and evenings often carry the slightest chill in the air.  A hint of what's ahead.  Tthe city suddenly rejoins us in having a routine!  And back-to-school sales abound; freshly sharpened pencils, brand new crayons, sticks of glue, notebooks, packs of paper, zipper bags in every color, and miscellaneous supplies of every kind are on the front aisles of stores.  New clothing appears on store racks (although it's not quite time for long sleeves in Kansas!), and autumnal decor appears on store shelves. And for us homeschoolers, new books appear on our own shelves!

Another reason to love this time of year...the scenery will soon be breathtakingly beautiful as the trees turn rich shades of brown, gold, red, and orange. A simple Sunday drive will offer loveliness, just around every bend in the road.  A walk to the park, or just stepping outside the back door will bring a moment to savor God's creation, unfolding it's glorious color!  And I love the rainy days of Fall, overcast, chilly. Good weather for snuggling in flannel sheets, for lighting candles in the evenings, for daydreaming under a quilt, for family movies complete with popcorn and warm spiced cider.

Of course, it's football season!  And that makes my man happy!  This year, his (and therefore mine by marriage) favorite college team (GO BIG RED--HUSKERS!) is playing in a new conference.  Big 10, baby!

Then there's the food...cozy suppers; often soups or stews, simmering all afternoon.  Fresh bread baking.  Sweet potatoes. Cookies, still warm from the oven.  Apple crisp, topped with vanilla ice cream...pumpkin cake.  Sunday roast, and eventually, Thanksgiving turkey.  Christmas ham. And endless holiday baking!  Cooking (and baking!) is simply more fun in cold weather :)