Falling for it

Yesterday, we got the very first tiniest nip of a fall chill in the air. In my beach town, that means very little except that it's wetsuit weather instead of swimsuit weather. Sweater weather is almost unheard of. And in a broader SoCal context, it means we've got Santa Ana conditions brewing and soon CNN will take a break from the crashing and burning economy to cover us as California literally ignites in various national forest fires.

However, I don't care. I love fall, even the five degree temperature differential we get on the coast. So today's Friday Favorites are my Favorite Things About Fall.

1. SoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupSoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoup
SoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupSoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoup
SoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupSoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoupsoup

2. Chowder

3. Gumbo

4. Sweaters (I fly in the face of coastal condition. I will wear my sweaters! But not wool ones because I itch).

5. Busting out the down comforter (roughly in December, but at least we can use it!)

6. Fires. The ones in the fireplace.

7. Fleece blankets.

8. Boots!

9. Less reruns on tv

10. Halloween

11. Thanksgiving

12. Baking (I always feel the need to do this when the weather cools. Perhaps it's an ancient hibernation instinct from my squirrel ancestors or something).

13. Cinnamon scented candles.

14. Soup.

15. The smell of wood smoke.

What are some of your favorite things about fall? Or what's your favorite season? It really does cool down a little bit here but I kind of miss living where there's a more traditional change in seasons. Please, let me live vicariously through you. But not for the part where I'd have to rake leaves.