Those First Feelings of Fall

It’s that time of year again — when the days are getting shorter, the leaves begin to change their shade, and the cooling temps have you taking bigger, deeper breaths, so as not to miss any of that crisp, fresh air. Those first feelings of fall have arrived here in Germany. And I don’t think this autumn loving gal could be more giddy!

Unlike the slow blossoming of this past winter into spring or the barely noticeable transition from spring into summer, this season change was obvious and abrupt. And completely caught me by surprise. It seems as though one minute we were surviving a heat wave with nightly popsicles and French crime TV, and the very next I’m having to wear socks in the house and pull out the blankets. And it’s still August! But oh, what a sweet surprise it is.

There is something so enchanting about the start of a new season.

In the beginning, there is still so much yet to come. With many things — be it experiences or goals you’re working toward —  a large part of the enjoyment they bring is in the leading up to it. Like one of those meals that has to cook on low all day, the kind where the smell hits you as soon as you enter the house and you’re practically salivating by the time dinner is served…the anticipation makes it taste that much better, doesn’t it?

I love all the possibilities a new season brings. Especially fall! I don’t know if it’s the longer nights, Halloween taking place during this time, that it’s harvest season, or although I’m no longer going “back to school” there’s still a sense of getting prepared…but for me, there’s always been a feeling that anything can happen this time of year.  I’ve almost come to expect the unexpected. The combination of the unknown, coupled with all of the fall traditions I do know and love…ah, it makes my soul sing.

This week was rainy, drizzly and gray. And though I know I’ll be craving the sun mid-winter, I cherished every minute of it. Anytime I was sitting down I was snuggled up under a blanket and a kitty [or two], and I sipped an afternoon tea almost every day of the week. I began dusting off my jackets and rocked a flannel by Thursday. I even made a pot of our beloved Zuppa Toscana. This recipe came from a dear family friend and quickly became a weekly staple in the Adamson household throughout last fall and winter. I usually made it on Monday evenings, so no matter how the first day of the work week went, we knew it would end on a good note.

I also went to my first Life Group gathering this week. The church where I attend bible study offers small group study as well. These “Life Groups” gather in the host’s home on a weekly basis to study and be in fellowship with one another. Unlike bible study, these groups are co-ed and Scott volunteered to do it with me. Outside of Sunday worship, this is the first faith-based activity we’ll be participating in together. I am excited to be in community with other couples and look forward to seeing how Scott and I will grow together throughout this journey. It seems rather fitting that we’re taking this next step during a transitional season.

Speaking of transitions, I am happy we are past the transition of moving our life over here. This year, we get to experience this favorite season of ours from a place of feeling settled. Granted, that did not stop us from making the most of this time last year! We wine fest-ed in Bad Dürkheim, hiked in the Black Forest, imbibed at the Cannstatter Volksfest, strolled the Ludwigsburg pumpkin festival, and even visited Schlöss Neuschwanstein. We packed a lot in our first fall here! And we enjoyed every moment of those experiences.

But between those adventures, in the day-to-day and during evenings after work, we struggled. We arrived in Germany in July, but our household goods (HHG) weren’t delivered until October. We spent three months living out of our suitcases and were in a constant state of feeling unsettled. After workdays of navigating new jobs and dealing with all things moving related, returning to an empty house that didn’t yet feel like home zapped any remaining energy we may have had. I discovered how difficult it is to recharge when you feel you never get to go “home” — not only in the sense of your physical house, but when you have yet to find your church family, the right gym, or a single friend outside of your spouse.

Now that our house finally feels like home and we have managed to make a few friends and find our place here, I’ve gotten that energy back for this go around. And I can’t wait to pour that extra energy into my marriage, my friendships, my family, and my Life Group (not to mention keeping this beautiful home we’ve been blessed with clean to the Scott standard 😉 ) this fall.

This is the one season of the year that never seems quite long enough. And yet, I feel we’ve been gifted a slightly longer one this year. Now, the heat may return and who knows what it will look like on the back end — winter may come early as well. But like a hot cuppa, I plan on savoring any bit of fall I can get. 🍂🍁☕️