"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -Albert Camus

I love fall!

It is just about the most perfect time of the year... crisp, cool air - but not too cold, leaves changing colors, apples, sweaters, pumpkins, etc. Chicago, with all of its forest preserves and the Morton Arboretum, is definitely a must see this time of year. Yep, I love pretty much everything about fall.

Except for that one speed bump, right in the middle, Halloween. Unlike Brian, I do enjoy a good, scary movie now and then... and haunted houses were always a good time during my college years. But, I don't really feel that we need a holiday to celebrate goblins, zombies, ghosts, witches, and ghouls. Baby costumes, princesses, and other funny characters are always cute on kids... but dressing your child as the undead or the disturbed, or helping them celebrate the possessed? No thanks.

To give my mom credit, she definitely tried... (obviously, the pumpkin costumes weren't a favorite of mine and Scott's). In later years, we skipped the traditional trick-or-treating in favor of really fun family nights. We played games, had scavenger hunts, and still ended up with more candy than we ever needed.

Once we're blessed with our own family, I'll have to get creative in the ways we'll celebrate the season. Less focus on Halloween, and more emphasis on all of the wonderful things there are to enjoy about fall.