Staff picks: The best of Autumn

It’s officially fall – you know, the best season. Everyone loves autumn, but here are the specific things that the faces of The Bark love about it.

For the majority of Americans, the most recognizable sign of fall is the color change of leaves. Although raking them is not the most fun thing to do, leaves are by far the best part about the autumn season. Not only do they look awesome on the trees, but they are a lot of fun to jump into when they are off the trees. I could go on and on about all the great things about leaves, but I’d rather just “leaf” it at what I’ve already said. I would also like to take this moment to recognize the most overlooked thing about autumn: Gourds. Gourds are awesome fall decoration and can also be used as a reliable weapon in times of crisis. Gourds are by far the best autumn vegetable. [GB]

While there are many lovely things about fall, my absolute favorite is that I can finally make use of my extensive sweater collection. Ranging from tacky to downright fashionable, my sweaters are my pride and joy. They make the wait for fall weather completely worthwhile. [EP]

Fall is hands down the best season in Knoxville, and it’s the one I always get most excited about mainly because I can wear a slouchy t-shirt every single day, pair it with some boots and a scarf and bam! I’m cute and properly cozy. It’s just casual perfection. [KK]

Candles are probably the best thing about fall. From the various smells to the warm glow they provide, they are overall cozy and they just feel like fall. My favorite smell right now is a pumpkin smelling candle from Bath and Body Works, so go smell it. It is fall in a solid form so if you love fall go buy a few candles and enjoy. [KM]

It just isn’t pumpkin season until the Halloween specials start coming on Disney and ABC Family. You know it’s that 60-degree-weather time of year when Harry Potter weekends arrive every weekend instead of the typical every other weekend. Halloweentown 1, 2, and 3, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, and It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown are some of my favorite cozy movies. [AG]

There are many special things that I love about fall: cold crisp air, the leaves with their variegated colors as they start to fall off the trees, fresh apple cider that tastes just like biting into a crisp apple; but most off all I love fall sporting events, especially football. Fall means that my weekends are consumed by football, from covering Bearden football for The Bark or producing BBN online, to cheering on the Vols on Saturdays, to supporting Peyton Manning and other Tennessee alumni on Sundays and Mondays. Fall is the perfect season for football and I wouldn’t have it any other way. [LC]

Halloween has and always will be my favorite holiday, and the highlight of fall. The decorations and themes are cheesy without pretending not to be. In years past, I loved dressing up in costumes and gorging on candy. Now I am the dispenser rather than recipient of candy, and I attend pretty awesome parties with friends. I still gorge on candy, though. [HL]

And now to elaborate on my staff pick from last week: sitting on my back porch in the morning, drinking a pumpkin spice latte is in at least the top three greatest experiences and the best thing about fall. Fall is the perfect season in Knoxville to sit outside with a hot drink while wearing leggings and a giant sweater and just look at all the pretty, colorful leaves. [HM]

The best part of fall is the amount of change. Everything from the temperature to the color of the leaves changes all at once. I think the temperature change is the best, though, because the cold is so much better than it being hot. [ED]

The best part about fall is the temperature. It’s at the point where everyone feels comfortable to go outside and explore, or stay inside and watch a fun movie. I love it because it reminds me of a northern chill, and feeling a crisp, cool breeze. [TAJ]

If you know me or have read The Bark, you know that I’m a bit of a music fanatic. To me, some types of music, like dark, bluesy rock n’ roll and eerie folk, just sound like fall. There’s a unique satisfaction to driving on a beautiful autumn day, windows rolled down, with that perfect fall song playing. Now go listen to Queens of the Stone Age’s Lullabies to Paralyze, a creepy and quintessential album for October. [JHE]