Four Seasons

I can't imagine living in an area without four distinct seasons. For me, each one has a purpose. I love to take country drives with my camera in tow and photograph the beauty of all the seasons. I used to live in Dallas, Texas, and I remember missing the changing colors of autumn and the magic of winter.

I must admit that my favorite time of year is autumn. This is one of the seasons that I love traveling, mainly because of the cooler temperatures. I love the colors of the fall foliage, the earthy color of grasses, the woodsy smells, the pumpkins, orchards, the harvest, festivals, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars...anything pumpkin; apples, apple crisp, apple pie, apple cider...anything apple; hoodies, jeans...it's the time of year I begin to nest, plan and dream for the coming year. I love to open up and read a good book...to thumb through decorating magazines to get some ideas for our home. I love to watch the squirrels scampering about gathering nuts for winter. I love to walk through the woods and hear the leaves rustling under my feet. I love hearing the cicadas and tree frogs. I love to see the birds flocking together with their anticipation of winter. I love Thanksgiving.

More Things To Treasure in Autumn

1. Being curled up reading mystery novels 
2. Soft flannel sheets
3. Candles flickering
4. Warm crackling fireplace
5. The scent of cinnamon, oranges and cloves
6. Pumpkins
7. Roasts, potatoes and carrots
8. Fluffy feather beds on a cold night
9. Watching movies snuggled in soft blankets
10. Cozy socks
11. Brownies in the oven
12. Chili, cheese and crackers
13. Sound of rustling leaves in the wind
14. Glow of lamps through windows
15. Laughter filling a room
16. Playing board games and popcorn
17. Caramel apples
18. Family
19. Friends
20. Fall decorating

Though I do love spring, which is the other season I love to travel...with its new growth and new beginnings. I love the beautiful flowers and flowering trees. I love walking through the woods in the spring and enjoying the wildflowers. I love going to the library to check out gardening books for ideas. I love going to the nursery and buying perennials and annuals for my garden. I love to sit out in the yard and enjoy the cool breeze. I love watching the birds gather materials for their nests. I love hearing the songbird's beautiful song. I love Easter and celebrating Jesus' resurrection.

More Things To Treasure in Spring

1. Gardening, gardening, gardening!  
2. Spring decorating
3. The sound of birds serenading me in the morning
4. Lounging around the house in my jammies during a thunderstorm
5. Easter.  I love Jesus!!!!!!
6. The emergence of fresh new spring flowers
7. Long country drives with the windows down 
8. The smell of the first grass cutting (even if it makes me sneeze).
9. Cherry blossoms and apple blossoms – I love the trees and the festivals that honor them
10. The color green - My favorite color!
11. Spring cleaning - I love purging my house of all the things I have kept during the winter and giving my home a thorough cleansing
12. No bugs - I love that the weather is still cool to a point where you can go outside and enjoy it without the gnats and mosquitos
13. Turning off the heat and closing down the fireplace for the year. Being able to open the windows in the house and in the car.
14. Memorial Day Weekend and cookouts
15. The great outdoors...before it gets too hot to enjoy it!
16. Switching over from winter clothes to summer clothes
17. Pedicures!
18. Family
19. Friends
20. Sandals!
21. Yard sales
22. No snow
23. Daylight Savings Time begins

I love winter too because of it's ethereal beauty and the magic and radiance of the snow. I must admit that I would love to see a blanket of snow all winter long. It would suit me if it would snow enough each storm to keep it clean and white. I don't like the dirty slushy gunk that the snow turns into when it starts to thaw from the use of salt. I love to sit by the window and watch the snowflakes softly falling to the ground. I love to just stand in the woods and listen to the silence of winter. I love to hear the crunch of my footsteps in the snow. I love the warmth of our wood-burning fireplace as I'm listening to the howling cold wind. I love Christmas and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

More Things to Treasure in Winter

 1. Decorating for Christmas
 2. Soft sweaters
 3. Snow
 4. Christmas music
 5. Christmas shopping
 6. Family
 7. Friends
 8. Snuggling and watching movies
 9. Watching our favorite Christmas movies together
10. Reading a good book
11. Knitted hats and scarves
13. Fun socks

Summer is great too if it's not oppressively humid like it was this past year...I love the  flower and vegetable gardens, hearing children playing and picnics. I love the 4th of July and celebrating our independence and freedom.

More Things to Treasure in Summer

 1. Flea markets
 2. Going boating with family
 3. Napping on a lazy hot day
 4. Shopping in antique and primitive shops
 5. Farmer's markets
 6. Enjoying my flower garden
 7. Planning fall vacation
 8. Weekend getaways
 9. Family
10. Friends
11. Summer decorating