The season of fall or autumn has many traditions and specialties that we recognize it for. The leaves falling off the trees, carving pumpkins and especially, baking, cooking, or buying so many foods throughout fall. Specifically, fall beverages such as apple cider, warm lattes, or tea make the season even better.
A favorite every year is a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, but you can also find so many local places making drinks that warm us up during the fall air. But what makes all of these flavors so memorable? And what makes us associate them with fall? Well that differs from person to person, but for me fall makes me think of times with my family, carving pumpkins every year, baking with my grandma or going on walks beneath the trees.
A staple in my fall experience was the Harvest Festival in Corrales at the end of September as a welcome to fall. The festival features a corn maze, hay rides and so many fun activities, especially local spots selling amazing treats every year. Later throughout October it finally falls into the fall air as the temperature changes, and the weather cools down for the first time in a long time. I think fall is the most special season of the year because of how celebrated it is and the ease it brings.
Winter definitely has its celebrations, but fall is something you ease into; it doesn’t bring us into the sky falling with snow or the sun burning hot above us, but the air is crisp and cloudy and you can see it change slowly but surely into the perfect season. Another memory I share with many is Halloween as a kid, getting so excited to buy or make the perfect costume and especially going house to house learning who gives out the most candy, and who only gives caramels or mints.
I think of close friendships when I think of fall, as I tend to be less busy in the these months, and have memories of staying up too late telling scary stories, laughing over the jack-o-lanterns we’ve created or trading candy at school the day after Halloween. Autumn is different every year, but thinking of the memories I have of the season makes it my favorite every single year. What memories might you have of your Autumn? Or, what do you consider the specialties of your favorite season?
