These Are the Seven Best Things About Fall [PHOTOS]

IT'S FALL, Y'ALL! Finally, the greatest season of the year is upon us. What makes fall my fave? Let me break it down for you.

Yesterday marked the beginning of both Astrological and Meteorological Fall, a.k.a. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I am obsessed with autumn. As far as your girl here is concerned, it could be fall all year long and I would be totally fine with it. The weather is perfect; you get to watch football; I mean, really, for what else could you ask? My reasons for adoring autumn are myriad, but I decided to narrow it down to seven things that prove my point.

1. FOOTBALL: We live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, so I don't think I really have to explain this one to you. If I do, you are a Yankee who must be converted as soon as possible. Is there anything better than tailgating on the Quad on a perfect Saturday in the fall? It's like 68 degrees outside, and you get to party with all your friends before you head to Bryant-Denny and cheer on the greatest team in all of College Football. Fall is especially boss in that you get College Football, Pro Football, and High School Football. It's like Christmas for me--except it lasts three amazing months.

2. CARDIGAN AND COAT WEATHER: I love the brisk chill of an autumn night. I love wearing a cozy cardigan (I have, like, 25 of them). I love wearing a colorful coat (got the one in the pick above from ASOS, BTW). I love wearing jeans and boots and scarves and all the other things I never get to wear 85% of the year because Alabama is a sticky humid hot mess and I hate it... but by the time October rolls around, it's heaven.

3. FALL FOLIAGE: Fall is not only the most awesome season, it is also the most beautiful season. Trees transform into radiant red, orange, and yellow, and the view is breathtaking. When I lived in Kentucky, I used to hike the nature trails in Mammoth Cave National Park. My fave trail, the River Styx Trail, is home to what may be the most pristine and perfect place on the planet--there's a spot where the trail widens and is surrounded by Maple and Birch trees. Imagine how gorgeous it is when the wind blows and leaves rain down--yellows and oranges and reds falling and swirling all around you. It's heaven.

4. HALLOWEEN: This one is a huge NO DUH, y'all. Halloween is everything, okay? Costumes and candy and ghost stories and an excuse to watch "Hocus Pocus" weekly--it's almost as awesome as Christmas. Almost. (Nothing beats Christmas in my book.) Don't forget about our haunted house, Malice in Otherworld--it opens next month!

5. PUMPKINS: Fall is prime pumpkin time. You can eat them, carve them, decorate them and decorate with them. Pumpkins are rad. As a child, I loved when my parents would take me to Hazelrig Orchards and let us pick out a pumpkin. We'd load up on apple cider, too. Those trips are some of my dearest memories. I'm so excited to be able to create more of those memories with my daughter. In fact, I am taking her to pick out her first pumpkin Friday.

6. FOOD & DRINK: Fall is the season of apple cider, hearty stews, and pumpkin spice ERRRRRYTHANG. Fall is the best time to curl up with a warm bowl of soup or roast marshmallows in the fire. And, as a working mom, fall is ultra-boss because I can bust out the crock pot, through some ingredients in there, turn that mother on, walk out the door, do my thing all day, and come home to a warm and delicious home-cooked meal. Maximum results for minimum effort means I heart my crock pot 4 eva.

7. BACKROADS: Driving down country backroads may be my absolute favorite thing about fall. I'm talking windows down, music blaring, cool autumn air whipping your hair around as you sing your heart out to your favorite songs and soak in the beauty of the world around you. Life got you down? Get in the car and just get lost on a country backroad in the fall. (*Note to self: make playlist for country backroad cruising and share later)

What's your favorite thing about autumn? Share it with me in the comments below-- oh, and Happy Fall, Y'all!