Fall (noun)- the period of time between summer and winter where the atmosphere is filled with nothing but pure bliss

Seven of my favorite things that come with the fall season:

1. Cooler Temperatures

Being the hot-natured soul that I am, I will take cooler weather ANY DAY. There is nothing like sitting outside with a blanket by the fire. Seriously. Nothing. In a perfect world, every day running from September to November would be 67 degrees and sunny. There would be no storms nor any spontaneous floods.

2. Football

Weekend: Friday: high school football; Saturday: college football; Sunday: NFL football; excessive loudness on the event of a touchdown or bad play; occasional chips and pizza lying around.

3. Clothes

I do not know of anyone who is not ready to break out the sweaters, scarves, and boots. However, it is well over the middle of October and shorts are still weather appropriate.

4. Pumpkin-flavored everything

Basic, I know. I can't help myself, it's a weakness. All grocery stores have somehow managed to fill every aisle-end with all things pumpkin.

5. Holiday Food

Dips, desserts, and crockpot meals. Is further explanation even necessary?

6. School Breaks

Go a few weeks, break. Go a few more weeks, break. Doesn't get better.

7. Leaves changing

WARM COLORS EVERYWHERE! From September to November, I better be hearing leaves crunching beneath my every step.

... and had to throw this one in for all of us North Carolinians