Telltale Signs Fall Has Come To Florida

It is that time a year again. The temperatures are falling, leaves are changing, and the air is crisp and clean smelling. The smell of apple cider and pumpkin pies baking in the oven begin to float from every housewives' kitchen. The heat of the summer begins to fade bringing with it cool breezes and the much anticipated boot wearing season. It's time to switch out our wardrobes and bring on the jackets, sweaters, and jeans. That's right it is time for fall! Except for one little problem, I live in Florida. The state of endless summers and year long plant growth. There will be no pretty fall leaves, no drastic change in weather, and no crisp smelling air. For those of you who don't live in this beautiful state, there are other clear signs you can look for indicating fall is fast approaching.

Publix customers know fall is around the corner when Publix puts out their display of dried brooms infused with the scent of cinnamon. It is their small way of making the air inside smell sweeter and more festive when the air outside hasn't really changed at all. The overwhelming scent permeates the whole store and whatever aisle you go down, fall is right there behind you.

The weatherman said a cold front is making its way through Central Florida as we speak bringing with it a welcome relief from the heat and humidity. Fall is here folks, a pleasant 85 degrees to usher in a new season! Bring on the shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops. We Floridians are thrilled when the temp goes anywhere below 90 degrees. For us, this is fall weather. Don't be surprised when the temperature finally plummets to 77 degrees to find the locals in jeans and sweaters. Let me tell you when the soft breeze blows and you are standing under the shade of a tree ( where the leaves are still fully attached ) it can get a little chilly.

The people in Florida have to do without the fall ambiance enjoyed up north. There are no pretty red, yellow, and orange colors anywhere to be found. Retailers feel the need to make up for the lack of decoration outside with ringing in the season inside. Some years, Christmas decorations have been seen to make an appearance before Halloween costumes have hit the shelf. So alongside the devil and witch costumes in the aisles, we have angels and Santa Clause ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

What will start as a slow trickle in the early fall months, will eventually become a flood of people better known as snow birds. They flock here to escape the bitter winters up north bringing with them slow speeds and giant sized cars. The snow birds test the patience of native Florida drivers by clogging the roads and making us wish we could have the tourists back instead. If you can't go more than 2 miles without seeing a New York or New Jersey license plate then you know what season it is.

No matter what state you live in or what the temperature may be, pumpkins make their grand debut this time of year, Florida included. Pumpkin patches pop up all over though only in front of Methodist churches in Florida. The food items start with pumpkin pie in the grocery stores and move to Starbucks for the wonderful pumpkin spice latte. I'm not a coffee drinker but I even wait in anticipation for this drink. I will eat anything that contains pumpkins: pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soup, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin dip, etc., etc. If the cute, orange vegetables are out then fall is in!