My Favorite Season

I love fall. It's my favorite time of year. Somewhat warm days and crisp evenings. Almost sweater weather!! Bring it on!

Fall in Northern Virginia is stunningly beautiful and I love the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Someone is always burning a fire, the wet leaves in the yard and the sound of breezes always takes me back to my youth.

In spring, Washington, DC has the Cherry Blossoms. In the summer, it's the iconic fireworks display at the Reflecting Pool at the base of the Washington Monument. Winter Holiday time, the White House National Christmas tree featuring a tree for each different state. And fall, we take a drive through the Shenandoah National Forest, 105 miles of pure beautiful color and WOW views. The color goes quickly and if your not careful, you can miss the spectacle of the mix of reds, yellows, and green set on a backdrop of mountains and valleys. It's a great place to live year round. And....Halloween! I LOVE watching kids parade in the neighborhood, collect their goodies and attempt to say "Happy Halloween". So much fun.

The rush of the holiday season will be upon us very soon and as we get ready for a hopefully busy season of providing fall and winter items for you and your loved ones, I tell the girls not to rush this time of year and remember that family is the most important thing in your life. Try to remember all the fond memories that you make with every get together, special gift and helping others in need because it really does fly by.

The first 3 months of a new year are always a little surreal for me as we get ready for tax season, a new administration and trying to keep up with New Year's resolutions (I'm not good at that.) So try to slow down, enjoy the moment, watch your kids smile and laugh, make someone's day and remember that you don't know what is going on in other's lives. Make it special for those around you and pay them a compliment, smile and say "Good Morning" and enjoy one more cup of coffee before running in to your day. It will be worth it!