Take your pick...

As we've gained friends from around the world, I often wonder if they can relate to the obsession that Americans have with the seasons. When they are in one season, they dream of another, and often their lives completely revolve around the time of year they are living in. It's somewhat understandable because life looks a lot different when it's frigid cold than when it's hot and humid. 

In Michigan, winter begins with the magic of Christmas and New Years, the joy of stockings and hot cocoa, celebrating with family, presents under the tree, often the first snowfall and ringing in the new year. After festivities are over, the cold sets in and stays til March or April. It's when animals and humans alike enter their warm abodes and hibernate til spring. There's snowmen and sledding but the cold seeps into your bones, your skin dries up, and the sun no longer gives off warmth.

Then spring comes. Before you know it, the snow starts to melt, and the trees come alive with tiny buds that bring the promise of life again. People begin making plans for gardens, anticipating that THIS year they'll finally get their tomatoes just right. Flowers start to bloom and people relish the sunshine and the warmer temperatures.

Summer brings another wave of excitement as the school bell rings for the last time and vacation plans begin to form. Neighbors leave on extended family trips. It is the time to sieze the day (or rather the warmth). Gardens are flourishing, people are out jogging or biking. No one wants to miss the beautiful days that summer brings. As the outdoor activities slow down nearing the end of summer, kids begin to dread school and moms look forward to it. Summer clothes filter over to the clearance racks as back to school clothes fill the stores.

Then arrives arguably the most anticipated season, with the best weather and the funnest activities: Fall. These are the times with warm days and cool nights, sweaters and scarves, pumpkin pie, apple picking, cider and doughnuts, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

It's when the school routine is back, and things slow down but with the anticipation of the fun that Fall brings.

This is the season we find ourselves in right now. Little Rovan has been introduced to the joys of large leaf piles, doughnuts from the cider mill, cider of course, and pumpkins. We were able to go apple picking with friends recently and the kids enjoyed climbing the trees, grabbing the nearest hanging apple and taking a big juicy bite. We came home with a 1/2 bushel of apples which was enough to make 5 pies worth of apple pie filling and a crockpots worth of homemade applesauce, plus plenty to eat as a snack. While I miss my tropical, one-season-all-year, home in the village, I can't deny that America is the place to be this time of year.