Fall Favorites

Who knew there would be two blog hops in one week? It’s the perfect way to introduce you to some great content across the web. And, this one is attached to a bunch of contests. Check out the links below and see what you could win. It’s almost always super easy to enter and you could walk away with some great prizes.

Autumn, Fall, Der Herbst…It’s my favorite time of year no matter what you want to call the season. My favorite holiday just passed and now we’re gearing up for Feast Day, as we call it in my house. From late September until early December, there just isn’t any better time of year. It seems short lived, as the cold weather rolls in and summer becomes a distant memory, thoughts turn to green and red sparkles, family gatherings and a new year. The Fall allows us to slow that process down and gather to us the things we’ve been growing all year. Now is the harvest, when we reap what we have sown. Nothing embodies this more than going apple picking, carving a pumpkin and preparing our homes for the coming chills. Of course there are more metaphysical and intangible examples of the harvest, as well. The cultivation of relationships begin to culminate in a harvest of another kind. What we put into them is what shapes the bounty from them.

My favorite thing about the fall is the cozy nature of the season. The changing leaves lend a decadence to the scenery, and the treats we bake from apples and pumpkins, other squash, corn and a myriad of plants reflect that richness of life. The harvest time is a time of bounty. It is now that, while we enjoy our abundance, we remember that not all people are so well fitted for the coming winter. To share our bounty with them is the greatest gift this season can bring. Did you know the number one thing shelters are asking for is socks? When giving to a food pantry, please select items that are not beyond their expiration date. People are in need of good nutrition regardless of their circumstances. Unhealthy eating, due to spoiled goods, can make their situation worse. Don’t make them have to chose between cast offs and the doctor. There is no reason to punish someone who is down on their luck. We’re all fighting battles and it’s good to remember that compassion and cooperation are the only way out of the fight. It’s pretty passive aggressive to throw your expired au gratin on the food pantry shelves for someone else who has little choice in their table setting.

For my charitable work, I often reach out to the forgotten pets. This year my Alma Mater partnered with a local pet store to raise funds and food donations for their pet care program, proceeds going to the care and feeding of stray animals. Nutro Pet Food matched all food donations, pound for pound. We’ve done an incredible job getting the word out and raised a lot of money and brought together quite a bundle of food. The numbers are yet to be final, as the donations are running through November 13.

Giving is one of my favorite things year round, but the Fall Season makes it even more special.

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