Mine’s fall, hands down.  From the crisp snap in the air to the gorgeous fall foliage, I LOVE the fall season.

Which is odd.  Remember, I grew up in Miami.  I’m not one of those Florida transplants, the kind of folks like my husband, who made the move south only to pine for the change of season he used to enjoy.  (He doesn’t pine for winter, mind you–only the change in season from summer to fall, winter to spring…)  Here in Central Florida, we have two seasons:  Summer (hot, wet, sticky) and Winter (warm, dry, pleasant).  That’s it.  In Miami, I had only one:  Tropical.  So how did it come to pass I “fall for foliage?” 

No idea.  But I do.   From apple cider and corn mazes to maple syrup and pumpkins, I count the days until the first nip clips the air, cuts the heat and promises a reprieve for the next six months.  It’s also a GREAT time to garden.  It’s not too hot, not too cold…why fall season would make a gardener out of Goldilocks, it’s so pleasant!

And isn’t this vegetable stand adorable?  If only it would look as cute on a sunny corner in Florida.  But alas, this display is better suited to apple orchards and corn fields–which are everywhere in Ohio–my husband’s hometown.  We recently visited family and friends and stumbled across these beauties (though I have no explanation for them, other than Mother Nature is an odd duck).

Monkey balls?  Seriously?

Apparently they work wonders for spider control.  And with an ample supply of black widows in our garage back home, my son wanted to pack up a crate of these bad boys and take them with us!  With gentle hands to his shoulders, I instructed, moving right along… 

Next on our tour through the countryside, we spotted this old log cabin.  Needless to say, the kids loved it.  Originally a telephone company, it now acts as a retail outlet for maple syrup and candy and the local Chamber of Commerce (but don’t quote me on that).  Yes, you guessed it.  “I’ll have one of everything, please!”

With my goody bag in hand, we made our way back to the car, back to the parental homestead where we commenced with a lively Italian family get-together, complete with red wine, sausage stuffed peppers, pasta and warm camaraderie.  Needless to say it was a good trip.  As usual, we wished we could stay a little while longer (okay, my kids want to MOVE everywhere we visit, but if “no-can-do” is the answer then an extension of their trip always ranks a close second).

But returning home is what makes our visits all the sweeter, isn’t it?  Not because of the syrup in our luggage, but because of the love.  In the arms of family, our world looks better, feels better, everything seems brighter, happier.  They say the only thing we can can’t on is change.  Well I for one, agree.  And the fall change is one of my favorites.

And we’re not talking slow motion here!  We’re talking dynamo with speed and determination, a keen sense of direction and a force to be reckoned!  Hopefully this won’t be in the form of some out of control snowball barreling down the mountain side, because I have plans—BIG plans!  And I need to be focused.

First item on the agenda?  Yes, like many of you, I need to whip my body back into shape.  I have somewhat of an indulgent personality when it comes to good food and with the holidays filled with the stuff, well…  You can imagine my predicament.  Not to mention I’m getting older and the pounds don’t drop off as easily as they once did—thank you Mother Nature!  My joints haven’t aged much better, something I attribute to years of jogging, snow-boarding and water-skiing (more specifically, the wipeouts of latter two).  Me? I plan to glue my fanny to a stationary exercise bike (find more info). 

Which will come in handy with resolution number two.  You see, as an indie author I’m finding a real tug of war between time for my writing and time for my marketing.  Both are important, yet with only so many hours in the day, I need to limit “the when and the where” of each.  For example, when I write, I need blocks of time.  And a story board, piles of reference notes, a glass of water, sometimes a bit of mood music…

But answering email and engaging in social media can be slipped in almost anywhere!  In the car during the pickup line, during the kids’ sports practice, , on my exercise bike, while the roast is cooking…

And speaking of food, dinner is key to a family’s happiness but something I tend to forget on a daily basis.  Remember?  I’m writing and marketing all day and have no time for food!  But I must make time, else my family up and revolt.  So this year, the menu will be planned and shopped for on Sunday and posted prominently in the pantry.  Next time anyone asks, “Hey Mom–what’s for dinner?”  I won’t have to return a look of total and utter shock.  “Dinner?”

I also plan to master the art of tomatoes this year, not only in growth but sauce and storage, too.  Same goes for my Hungarian Wax peppers.  I’m an Italian now, and Italians like their sauce and peppers.  And they like them on everything from pasta to pizza—which reminds me.  Add pizza crust to the list of tasks to master in 2012. :)  I mean, pizza pie is as Italian as apple pie is American!

YUM.  Wow, let the party begin!  From here on out, you can find me in the productivity line!  So how about you?  Where will we find YOU this year?