Falling into Autumn

Delicious Autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,

and if I were a bird

I would fly about the Earth

seeking the successive autumns.

-George Eliot

Oh yes! It's that time of year when I make my annual trek up to a secret place in the woods....a place of red maple trees, green pine boughs and all the natural beauty that a forest provides!

I first found this place about 7 years ago on one of my jaunts running the roads of this state. It's definetly off the beaten path, up on the rim, tucked way back into the forest. As I was driving along this dirt road, a brilliant patch of red, flame orange, crimson...all these autumnal colors just jumped out from the browns, greens and beige of my beloved forest! I pulled over, hiked down a slope and stood in a secluded grove of maples...dressed in their autumnal finest! I was amazed for I had not seen colors like this since living in Ohio....29 years earlier!

I found Autumn in Arizona !!

Since that day, I have returned each year to just 'be' with the closest thing there is to Autumn here. Over the last couple of years it has evolved into a wonderful trek with my ya-ya's...N and R! And yesterday was our day to celebrate the most favored season of all!

Camping chairs set up.... picnic baskets opened and goodies laid out....

coffee bar set up.... magazines and books unpacked....

blankets and quilts unfolded....

slow, deep breaths taken...

ciabatta turkey sandwiches with provolone and sun-dried tomatoes, chips, humus, chicken pate, pumpkin gingerbread, gala apples, caramels, chocolate



a toast to Autumn and all of its splendor!!

And a little gift for you - a bit of our autumn celebration...enjoy!