Tuesday 4: Seasons

Welcome to the Tuesday 4 Meme!!  

I really enjoyed these questions when I saw them on Linda's blog so decided to play along while I wait for my laundry to finish. 

1. Do you have a favorite day of the week and how about  a favorite month of the year? Why?

When I was teaching full time (special ed Prek) I loved Mondays, believe it or not. New week, new lesson themes, and most of the children were eager to be there. Also, it's when I had a full classroom team in my room (speech, ot, pt along with my TA) which made it easier to work on specific goals with specific children and do some play therapy, too. 

Now that I'm retired, I like all the days! If I had to choose a fave though, it would be Sundays when both daughters are typically available to get together or come over for dinner or just hang out. 

Favorite month is harder!  How about we do it this way and do it by seasons.

My favorite Spring month is June (yes I know Summer falls mid-way through June) but I LOVE the end of May leading into June.  Everything is so lush and green by then at least here in eastern NYS. 

Fave Summer month:  August. Usually the days are less humid, the evenings are simply delightful and the best hiking for the mountains is mid-August through Oct.  Why? because most tourists from the  states to the south and west of us head away from the Adirondacks and head home due to their public schools starting in August. Ours begin after Labor day so I love the mountains once the tourists are gone. 

Fave Autumn month: October.  The crisp air, the chilly mornings, the plentiful sunshine and no bugs while hiking! Also, all the fresh produce!!  October is truly delightful here in eastern NY. 

Fave Winter Month: the first one: end of December: Winter Solstice and youngest daughter's birthday (mine is earlier in the month as is my nephew and his mom, my sister Joy)  Christmas, New Year's Eve, and just the freshness of the fallen snow (if we actually get any in December!). 

2. What’s the most beautiful or magical thing about each of the four seasons?

The changes in weather and the way the mountains look so different in each season. 

3. Summer is coming... what does this mean in your life? How will things change, stay the same ,etc?

For me, it means my husband will actually use his vacation weeks. Also, our anniversary is the last day of June. Life slows down a bit in regards to leading my weekly women's book group and we don't typically have choir rehearsals in the summer. Our evenings are longer, outdoors often around the bonfire pit. 

Things that change: we tend to eat dinner a bit later; we tend to have more adventures in the mountains and lakes; we tend to get together with good friends more and the hiking season really picks up which means I'm busy volunteering at leading my hiking group I founded 2 years ago! 

This year the beginning of summer will bring our youngest niece's graduation from high school and her grad party. 

Things that stay the same: we still attend church and volunteer with Production (Dave) and HomeBound organization (me).

4. What do you look forward to in each season?

This seems redundant but:

Spring: I look forward to the flowers, green grass, grilling our food,  and milder temps. 

Summer: all the things mentioned above plus coffee and breakfast, lunch, dinner on the deck (unless temps are above 85 which will force us to turn on the central air and eat indoors), swimming in mountain lakes and relaxing on the beaches, visiting family we may not have seen over the winter. 

Autumn: more mountain hikes vs deep woods hikes; cozy sweaters and cute riding boots or ankle boots; power walking in the mornings with no humidity; bonfires, game nights with friends, Harvest events

Winter: the cozy warm house with candlelight flickering for evenings and some mornings; more time to read and watch movies; Comfort foods like my homemade mac and cheese, stuffed pepper soup, and other slow cooker meals plus the things mentioned above. 

Just about 3 more weeks until Summer officially begins!!