Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Autumn in Beantown

Yesterday morning I was up at six (quick cat sitting job), so I threw on a heavy sweater and beanie and hopped in my car. As I froze, my car taking it's sweet time to warm up, I decided to check the temp. 29 degrees F. When I got home I put on proper below freezing attire, but I'm not yet ready for that level of cold to move in for the season. Not yet. Give me a few more weeks of fifty degrees, please?

I love Autumn. It's my favorite season and probably why I have never moved out of New England. So I thought, in an effort to pretend it's not as cold as it is, let's discuss why I love Autumn so much. And let's also pretend that it's closer to fifty degrees outside.

Let's begin, shall we?

FOLIAGE.
New England is the BEST place to enjoy foliage, especially in New Hampshire. The Kancamagus Highway is a series of switchbacks 34 miles long and not, in my opinion, a highway at all. At certain places along the route you really have to pull over because the expanse before you, of valleys and mountains covered in every shade of yellow, orange and red, is breathtaking. If you live within driving distance and have never been, mark it on your calendar for next Fall.


When I can't get out of the city at least there are plenty of places to walk in and around Boston that let you feel for a bit as if you've escaped to the wild outdoors. From the Charles River paths to the Minuteman Bike Path and beyond, if you want to spend an afternoon among the trees there's plenty of options.




FOOD.
Pumpkin. Pumpkin. Pumpkin.
Ok, so I'm a glutton for pumpkin. At any time during the year there is at least one can of pumpkin in my cabinet. Cookies, bread, pie, cheesecake. I love it all. Below is a picture of a pumpkin cheesecake I made last year for Thanksgiving. Stop drooling. It's super easy and you can make it too. 




Sometimes a girl just wants to lay among the pumpkins. Maybe Olivia will start a trend...

Aaaaaand apples. Apple picking, apple crisp, pie, cake, cider, donuts...

Sorry, got distracted there for a moment in an apple cider donut daydream. I am also a glutton for hot apple cider (sometimes with a little sprinkle of cinnamon or a shot of caramel vodka for good measure). Last week I discovered Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice (where have you been all my life???) and let's just say there goes my wallet. It's so good it's practically sinful. Liquid hot apple pie in a cup.


CUDDLES.
I have sleeping issues to begin with but I sleep a million times better when the temperature drops. I'm a fetal position sleeper, which doesn't work so well when it's 90 degrees and every inch of you is sweaty and sticky and pretending you're a starfish is the only way to get a wink of sleep. So cold temps = happy Stephanie. 
Curled up on the couch under a warm blanket, a good book or a Lifetime movie marathon... I can't imagine a better way to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon.

Below, you will see Le Bug demonstrating proper cuddling technique, complete with head on pillow and fleece blanket tucked over her. I can't even function while looking at that picture. Is she not the cutest? I didn't tuck her in, by the way. I was leaving for work and saw she'd done this on her own.



CLOTHING.
So in this post I have discovered I am a hoarder of canned pumpkin and apple cider while supplies last. Guess what else I hoard? Scarves and beanies. I have not counted them because that would probably be embarrassing and give my mother more ammunition to scold me for my lack of financial conscience. Anywho, let's just say I have a lot of hats and scarves. I often wear beanies in the house because I can't wear them at work and they keep my head so toasty and warm. (Are you aware you lose the majority of your body heat through your head?) 
Last night I was wearing my white beanie around the house and not paying attention to Beans. She will sit and stare or change tactics and headbutt you until she gets attention. But I was sucked into my phone. So she took matters into her own paws, dug all of her claws into my back and climbed up onto my shoulders where she perched for a few minutes. This has nothing to do with scarves or beanies, mind you, but it explains the picture.


So there you have it. The reasons why I love Autumn in New England. If I missed any other key items let me know! And, as always, happy reading!

~Stephanie

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