I saw an Instagram meme the other day with a picture of a dead palm frond lying on a patch of green grass beneath the tree. The caption read, “Fall has arrived in Florida.” Yup!
Fall doesn’t ‘arrive’ in South Florida like it does in other places. It merely limps in gradually until one day we realize we can put away the flip-flops. Nevertheless, we enjoy knowing that it is apple-picking and leaf-peeping season somewhere.
I am double-dipping this week with John’s Lens Artist Challenge #368 and Terri’s new Flower Hour. John is all about looking back at autumn, and Terri is bringing us a new challenge that features Flowers. Click each link to read their posts and view participating posts. You’ll be inspired.
We celebrate the changing of the seasons with food, flowers, and artful displays of pumpkins picked from the field purchased from the market.
Comforting meals, such as pumpkin bread, roasted tomato soup, and baked pear with brie, remind us that summer has passed, even though it is still 80 degrees outside. We are good at pretending…
Apple Martinis are my favorite stand-in for hot apple cider or a spiced pumpkin latte.
The photos below are the ‘real deal’ and were taken in Vermont last year when we went road trippin’ in New England.
It is currently 84 and sunny, but Malcolm is in the kitchen putting on a pot of chili. Maybe I’ll light a fire and pull on a warm pair of PJs. Nah…that might be taking things a bit too far. Enjoy the season, wherever you are, in any way you choose.
Picture Retirement 
Soon, we head to south Texas for the “winter”. I always have to smile about winter in these areas. If people there ever experienced a Canadian winter, I don’t believe they’d ever again complain about the “cold”. Lovely photos and post!
LikeLike
Terry, when we were in Nova Scotia last year, I thought about how cold it must get there in the winter. Not for me. I’ll stop complaining now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And Nova Scotia winter is mild compared to here in Saskatchewan… thus, we’ve become winter Texans. I know how it is tho … when we get accustomed to the subtropical weather in south Texas, I’m out of sorts too when we get the infrequent“cold snap”. I dare not complain about it to anyone here at home tho 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re on the other end of the spectrum and heading into Spring and Summer – but as I type this, I’m in long sleeves with the heater going. The days are warmer but the nights are still cool. I’m a big fan of these in between seasons, so I’m enjoying it before the summer heat really hits… Loved your photos (as always). 🙂
LikeLike
Leanne, our seasons are summer, winter lite, and back to summer. I envy you the in between seasons. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
LikeLike
It must be ‘interesting’ to blend the traditions of autumn with life in 80 degree plus Octobers 😀
LikeLike
Sarah, if you think autumn is interesting, you should be here at Christmas! We really have to stretch the imagination at that time of year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yes, I bet 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
This will be our third winter in Florida. I do kind of miss the beauty of autumn. The rare red maple leaf in Big Cypress isn’t really Fall. The flower photos are gorgeous!
LikeLike
Betty, flowers are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I’m glad you like them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate to this, Suzanne! I was at an event last night chilly enough to wear long sleeves to, and I was so excited, LOL!
Not sure just when sweaters will be feasible, but I”m ready whenever that occurs!
Happy Autumn baking and noshing to you both!
Tamara/My Retirement Project
LikeLike
Hi Tamara, not much noshing going on with me – still focused on the weight-loss. Fortunately, that doesn’t keep Malcolm from having fun in the kitchen. The neighbors are all benefiting. A sweater and jeans would be welcome right now.
LikeLike
You had me at your post title, Suzanne! The autumn palm branch cracked me up. When we lived in San Diego as a kid and two years as an adult, I was young enough not to care about the seasons. Once I moved to Sacramento at 20 and saw a real Autumn, I can’t live in a world without them. Here in Spokane area, it’s magical. We’re full on in Autumn now with snow expected in the mountains! Enjoy your chili and pretend Autumn. Thank you for linking with my new Flower Hour! 🍂🍁❤️
LikeLike
Hi Terri, your Autumn sounds heavenly. I like the new challenge idea and will jump in as I can. We may not have falling leaves in Florida, but we do have an abundance of beautiful flowers. Happy Fall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we are waiting for autumn here in Texas too. An apple martini might help though. I’ve never had one. Do you use apple juice or a liquor for the flavor? Looks delicious.
LikeLike
Hi Tracey, I use Apple Cider and add about a 1/2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau. You can also add a little maple syrup to sweeten it. And, Vodka, of course. Sprinkle cinnamon on the top for garnish. Yes, I imagine we will both be waiting for a little while longer. I have lost count of the gray, rainy days we’ve had since the beginning of September.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely photos, and thank you for the chuckle about the fire and the warm pj’s. We hit 32 last night so I actually enjoyed the fireplace and the warm pj’s for you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Judy, I have to be careful what I wish for. 70’s would be nice, but 32, no thanks!
LikeLike
oh these photos are amazing
LikeLike
Thanks, I’m glad you like them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLike
Suzanne, your flower images are beautiful. I like your fall colors, too. I’m not as far south as you but I can relate to all of this! We are experiencing a “false fall” now with temperatures in the low 60’s. I had to get a sweatshirt out of the closet this week!
LikeLike
Lucky you to have low 60s. I see blue skies today, so that’s an improvement. I’m glad you liked the photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne, I love how you celebrate Fall. The flower and pumpkin images are beautiful. It’s apple-picking and leaf-peeping season in Toronto. I was out for a walk today and enjoyed the yellow-orange-red leaf colours on a sunny morning. Happy Fall!
LikeLike
Hi Natalie, I imagine Toronto must be beautiful in the Fall. Enjoy everything the season has to offer. We woke up this morning to 69 degrees. Woopie!
LikeLike
Well we certainly don’t have the crisp cool weather and leaves of red and gold. But we do have a palm fond down after all the wind and rain we have had. 😊Actually it was 65 early this morning.
LikeLike
Karen, I woke up and did my happy dance, then played tennis for 3 hours before stopping by the beach to watch the surfers. What a magnificent day. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be a really nice time – and weather – right now in South Florida. We had another extremely hot day here in Paraguay, yesterday, with 94F.
Extra challenges were me being sick for almost a week already (flu of all things) and Mark organizing a dinner party and cooking a homemade pasta sauce for hours inside our camper. Since it was too hot in Bella, I had to rest in the hammock, grazed by an oven-like breeze and hundreds of biting gnats. And, no, I could not attend the dinner party, which sounds like it was fun but too hot and buggy for most people.
LikeLike
Liesbet, we have had awful weather for weeks, putting a severe cramp in my style, but today is fabulous. I no longer have to pretend it’s Fall, it arrived this morning!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne,
Your roasted tomato soup and pumpkin bread made me hungry, and the flower pictures are gorgeous. We’ve had a fabulous fall in our hills. The leaves are turning and daytime temps in the low 70s. Fall here lingers long–our spring is pretty, but too short. I send best wishes for a drier week. Apple Martini?!?…you know how to live, girl! Enjoy!
LikeLike
Hi Joe, the rains have finally stopped and cooler temps arrived yesterday. It is supposed to last a few days – relief. As for the Martini, only in my dreams. Today is day 43 of the diet and I’ve almost reached my first goal of 10 lbs. Your fall sounds wonderful. Take an October walk and share some photos on your blog please.
LikeLike
We don’t have much of a fall here either (or winter, thank goodness), although it did rain today… yay! I love your pictures of flowers, fall, and food… and the apple martini looks marvelous.
LikeLike
Hi Janis, yes, I imagine you share my lament, as Fall is all but non-existent in your area as well. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
LikeLike
I loved your post!’ Autumn’ is a state of mind as the seasons shift and we prepare for the holidays to come. I love the photograph of the purple coneflowers! I hope you enjoy this season…Your Vermont photographs are lovely also! Appreciating the moments is what life is all about, regardless of where we call home!
LikeLike
Linda, I agree. Appreciating the moments – both big and small is what it is all about.
LikeLike
Lovely post, Suzanne! Sorry for the late response. Your link was in my SPAM folder. >frown<
LikeLike
Thanks for acknowledging the post. I assumed that might have happened.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw that meme too and thought it was funny! It looks to me as if you are managing to celebrate Fall quite well down there in Florida. And if you ever feel you’re truly missing out, just wait until January when you’re still enjoying the outdoors and we’re freezing up here! That should more than make up for it…..
LikeLike