autumn is here!

Today is the official first day of fall, and I am so excited about it! I absolutely love the changing seasons, and autumn is definitely one of my favorites.

I love everything about it: the crisp air (even though it's still 76 degrees in Nashville right now), the color and smell of autumn leaves, sipping on apple cider (hot or cold, I love it both ways), pulling out my sweaters and scarves from storage, baking apple crisp, making caramel apples, going to fall festivals, lighting my pumpkin spice candle, roasting marshmallows over an open fire, pumpkins and mums decorating the doorsteps of houses down every street, and having an excuse to dress Max up in his hot dog costume. :)

What are you looking forward to this fall?

{images via marthastewart.com}

Also, a couple new things I want to experience this fall: carving a pumpkin (that's right, I have never done it...and I think this is the year to change that!), and making these delicious pumpkin patch cupcakes!