There’s something magical about the first signs of fall—the crisp air, the vibrant colors, the familiar sight of pumpkins adorning the lawns and doorsteps, and festive decorations welcoming the new season.
Since I'll be heading to Florida next month, I'm debating whether or not to buy a large pumpkin or perhaps some pretty mums to decorate my front steps.
This year the transition felt sudden. I barely noticed the subtle changes last week, but as I stepped out for my daily walk this morning, I was surprised to see the total shift in nature's artistry:
The beautiful lush green trees of summer were starting to reveal golden shades of yellows and oranges, their tired leaves were gently starting to flutter to the ground, and a thin but solid carpet of their debris hugged the grass and streets.
I love this enchanting time of year (for a short time anyway). Our summer was really brutal with temperatures reaching in the upper 90's for well over a month or two and the humidity fairly intense. Despite being a lover of summer, this year the cooler temperatures feel most welcome!!
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| This tree is massive!! |
One year, we bought a pumpkin to display, but forgot to remove the pumpkin before we took off for Florida. As the pumpkin softened, the squirrels made quite a mess of it all over our front steps while they enjoyed digging out the seeds.
Last year I bought a large colorful mum for our front steps but gave it away to a neighbor before we left for Florida. I guess I could have taken it with me since we drove there, but I think the blazing hot sun on our balcony would have killed it very quickly.
"And Just Like That, It’s Fall," and winter squashes are abundant. I bought 3 different kinds of winter squashes the other day: a butternut, a spaghetti squash, and a delicata.
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| Delicata squash |
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| Roasted delicata squash with skin |
It was the first time that I made delicata squash. I cleaned out the seeds, sliced it in half lengthwise, and cut 1/2 moon slices before I roasted it in the oven (I did not peel the squash since the skin is thin and edible). It was sweet and delicious. I also like it because it's small and personal size, making it perfect for just one meal.
Do you have an Instant Pot? I make my spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot. It's easy and delicious. Try it!! Recipe link: Perfect Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot.
What is your favorite winter squash? How do you cook it? Is it beginning to look like fall where you live?
MY NOTES:
Fall officially begins on September 22!!
That tree is HUGE! Happy Fall, Judee.
ReplyDeleteYes the tree is quite large and old
DeleteIt is 55 F here today. A jacket will be required for our walk. I love these temperatures. Squash is on the menu here these days too. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteOur temps are in the 60's and 80's during the day and then back to 60 at night.
DeleteIt was in the low 90s here all week long, and I am really sick of it. That tree is beautiful! Nothing is changing around here. I’m ready. I didn’t think I would be, but I am.
ReplyDeleteOMG we had 2 months of it and I'm so glad the temps have changed.
DeleteLovely walking path! I can't wait for fall weather to start here in East Texas!
ReplyDeleteThanks . I actually walk through a few developments.
DeleteI loved Shady Brook farms pumpkins and apples. Fall isn’t the same in SWFL.
ReplyDeleteI shop at Shady Brook all the time. However, they just sold a large portion of their farm to builders for apartments! So I'm not sure how much of their farm will still be there.
DeleteFall seemed especially sudden to me too this year! Then again that's probably partly because I had a baby in June. Anyway, this post is so beautifully written, and the pictures are gorgeous too. Although I always have a little trouble transitioning away from summer, I find I'm enjoying fall a little more each year. 🌸🍁🌻🍂
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. I used to savor summer but this past summer we did not even get a chance to sit outside on our deck bc it was too hot and humid.
DeleteWe are unusually warm here for the end of September! But the leaves are starting to change colors!
ReplyDeleteOur days are still warm 85 degrees but our mornings and evenings are cool in the 60's .
DeleteEnjoy the cooler weather. It's meant to be spring here, but on Friday we had huge snow falls across the country!
ReplyDeleteTandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com
OMG! Snow.. we hardly get snow anymore inner winters. Not like when I was a kid and we had multiple blizzards all winter and lots of snow.
DeleteYour fall photos are beautiful. Our summer wasn't as hot as yours, so I can see why you are ready. I have loved our warm September but afraid I'll miss all our Michigan color while traveling. All good, but I do love those leaves!
ReplyDeleteFall is a special time of the year. But once we start getting rain and colder weather, I'm off to Florida.
DeleteOh I love it! The leaves haven't really started to change here yet but I can not wait!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming Hena!!
DeleteI love fall too! The colors and pumpkins make everything feel cozy.
ReplyDeleteFall colors are welcoming and of course who doesn't love pumpkins!!
DeleteI absolutely adored all of your wonderful Fall photos. I don't get too many Fall colors here, so I have to live vicariously through photos most of the time. Also, thank you so much for sharing your easy Instant Pot squash recipe. Baking squash in the oven can take so much time, so using the Instant Pot is pure genius.
ReplyDeleteI do love making spaghetti squash in the Instant pot- it's easy and comes out perfect for me. I do try to buy a smaller size squash to fit.
DeleteHere the leaves haven't started to change yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's coming and probably just like here it will be sudden.
DeleteBut I agree, Fall is enchanting time of the year!
ReplyDeleteso true Balvinder
DeleteWe have finally had some cooler weather here so now it really feels like Fall...Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
You are welcome.
DeleteI don't do a whole lot with squash but those little roasted half-moon slices look really good! My daughter was in Central Pennsylvania late last week for a funeral and she said it was ghastly hot. We were in Chicago last week and it was ghastly hot there too! And of course it's still stifling here in South Carolina. BUT as each day goes by, we inch closer to what cool weather and leaf color we actually get, hahaha! First we are going to have some heavy rain tomorrow and the next day from a tropical storm that I haven't quite caught the name of yet, haha! And I can't believe you're already headed back to Florida! Seems like only yesterday you headed north! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIm on and off with winter squash. Yes it was HOT and in a blink of the eye it's fall
DeleteSuch pretty Fall photos - from the Mums to the pumpkins to the roasted squash to the Fall leaves - it all shows the outstanding colors of Fall. Even that little squirrel photo made me smile, and I don't like the squirrels at all. ; ) I love the brick on your house. It reminded me of my mom's kitchen growing up, which was all brick. Enjoy your time in Florida next month.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
we don't like the squirrels either and they just won't stop eating all the bird feeder feed.
DeleteI feel like our transformation to fall was a bit quicker than usual this year too. I hope winter wont hurry though. I love these fall days and want those pretty leaves to cling to the trees extra long.
ReplyDeleteI like most winter squash and while I find it harder to find the delicata squash we do like them. This year we tried honey nut squash; they taste and look a lot like butternut squash but they are much smaller making them personal sized!
that's what I like about the delicate.. I might use your words - personal size.
DeleteBeautiful pictures and colors. I love the pumpkins around the marigolds. andrea
ReplyDeleteI know so pretty and festive.
DeleteOne thing I love about squash and pumpkins is they have a long storage life.
ReplyDelete