"...It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...!"

      No, I'm not talking about Christmas (although I do know a few people who have finished their Christmas shopping, but that's another story!).  I'm talking about Fall.  Okay, I know I'm a little ahead of myself and technically it's still summer.  But with the crisp weather we are having today, and the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, Fall is in the air today.  I love this season with it's red, orange and yellow colors; Back to School shopping; sweater wearing; leaf raking; pumpkin carving; apple pie baking; cinnamon smelling; cider drinking; soup making; and Birthday singing (to me!). 

    For me, the Autumn season symbolizes new beginnings, and I know that for most people that's supposed to be the Spring time.  Maybe it's because I was born this time of the year but, I feel like everything starts in the Fall.  Summer ends and we cap it off with a Labor Day party celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of Fall.  At least that's the way I see it.  And Fall is so jam packed with excitement and activities how could you not love it?  School starts; everyone flocks to the farm stands for apples, and then we're off to the fairs for wagon rides and pumpkin picking; my birthday and Halloween come around the corner and before you know it, it's Thanksgiving and the Macy's Parade!  Eat your heart out Winter/Spring/Summer; Autumn rocks!

Bailey on one of her walks.

   I'm so ready for this season to begin!  I gave my blog a fresh new look (hope you like it!), and I'm already planning my Thanksgiving Menu!  Too soon?  Did I mention that Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday?  It is!  But, there will be plenty of time to talk about that later.  

   For now, I'm going to enjoy the fresh air by taking a nice long walk and then coming home to some delicious, homemade Butternut Squash soup and then later, some warming nut-tea beverage.  Okay, I made that up.  It's really just tea with nut milk and cinnamon.  Yum!

Butternut Squash Soup

All the yummy veggies that make this soup so delicious!

After a day like today...

...It felt good to drink this!

ps: My mom made the soup, and it was SO good... Thanks mom!

FYI:  Today is the first day of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart.  If your curious about becoming a Vegan or just want to add more whole foods into your daily diet visit the PCRM website for some healthy and delicious recipes.  I joined it in April and I found that my favorite part was reading the forums - I learned a lot from them.

Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekend!

Love,

Ves xx