there are only two holidays . . .

October and December.

There is something just so magical and crisp and peaceful when the leaves slip into something more comfortable- yellows, oranges, reds- the trees, bare and strong, show off their magnificent bodies-bold and beautiful- and the wind chills you to the bone, but only if it can get through your oversized plaid sweatshirt and fleece-lined black leggings. The cinnamon sneaks into your nostrils and; oh, what's that? Hmm... ah, pumpkin? Spice? Ooooh pumpkin pie! Pecan pie! FALL SCENTED CANDLES!!! The next day you're carving a pumpkin into your favorite, classic Jack'. That oh so distinctive smell of fake spider web fills your house, but only for little while. The massive bowl of chocolates overwhelms the hallways and the sounds of trick-or-treaters fill your ears. The little girl who was dressed as a Hot Dog was your favorite one this year. As you throw your rotten pumpkin into the compost pile- wh- wait... what's that sound? Is- are those bells? What radio station is this? Is this Jingle Bells? PEPPERMINT. You stand outside staring at your house wondering if you want rainbow or white or yellow lights on your porch this year- decided: classic yellow. You go to the mountains for the first time to cut your own Christmas tree!! OMG that smell. Love the smell. Be the smell. Your ugly Christmas sweater has a unicorn on it this year and it's very fuzzy and warm. Man, 'hope there's snow this year! But wait, you live in North Carolina so it won't get cold until January and 15 inches of snow will fall sometime mid-february. You go to your best friend's place and celebrate Hanukkah with them and watch as her dog opens presents and enjoys it more than children. They light the next candle as they say these ancient, familiar words that so smoothly and effortlessly come out in one smooth go. More presents. More food. The dog got four toys so far. You say goodbye and you ride down the road and- A HALF INCH SNOW FLURRY GET YOUR MILK AND BREAD!!! The morning arrives and you run into the living room and see your well-deserved goodies that you bought and wrapped for yourself because you're poor and can barely pay your one thousand a month rent but regardless you're excited to open them because you forgot what you even got yourself. You got a few gifts for some family members and the love of your life and you did not get gifts for your friends this year because they never even came over to get the gifts you got them last year and as a matter of fact one wrapped gift is still under the bookshelf over there from last year. You go to your folks' and eat the traditional meals and have a jolly good time. The decorations stay up until one week after New Years Day.

Holidays are only as magical as you make them to out to be. For some, the holiday seasons begin immediately in September or October and don't stop until after New Years Day. If you work retail, you'll know the holiday season starts at back-to-school time and doesn't end until back-to-school time next year. It is August 21st and Hobby Lobby has their fall, Halloween, and Christmas stuff out; AC Moore has their fall and halloween stuff out, Target is getting their Halloween stuff in, Michaels has their Halloween and Fall stuff in, people like me have their Christmas, Halloween, and Fall stuff out . . .

I do not own any of these photos. I did not take any of these photos. They were quick Google searches. Credit goes to their original owners.