For weeks now, I've been a little cranky with people, both online and in real life, who have been waxing poetic about the beginning of fall. How they can't wait for fall, they're so excited for fall, fall is in the air, etc. "It's still SUMMER!" I've screamed more times than I care to count...probably in the triple digits. Because as much as I love autumn, this summer has been fantastic, and it just hasn't felt long enough.

This week, the air is starting to change. It's gone from being 37 degrees to 18. (For you Americans, that's like, 98 degrees to...65? Something like that?) The pumpkin spice latte is back on the menu at Starbucks. Halloween candy is in the stores. I can't deny it any more: fall is almost here and it's time to embrace it.

Some of the things that are getting me into the fall spirit:

Pumpkin spice lattes! I don't know what it is about the mixture of steamed milk, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and caffeine, but it's magic. I love getting one of these and going for a walk in the park. The smell of the air, the crunchy leaves and that overpriced caloric concoction makes for a pleasant fall afternoon. I have had one once so far, but it was while I was slaving away at my desk--totally not the same experience.

Apple picking. Every year my sister, brother and I go apple picking at an orchard near our parents' house. You get a massive bag to fill for like $5 and it requires a tractor ride to get into the orchard. They also have pumpkins, cider and other assorted fally goodness.

Roast chicken dinners. I refuse to make a roast chicken or turkey during the summer. It's just not good summer eatin'. Just like you don't drink lime beers in the winter, some foods are seasonal. Luckily, fall = roast chicken time. I can't wait till our kitchen is full of the yummy smells of a Thanksgivingy dinner.

Halloween. For the first time EVER since leaving my parents' nest, I'm going to have trick or treaters! I'm more excited than I should be to hand out treats and see the little costumes. We live in a pretty kiddy neighbourhood so I hope to see lots of tiny witches and ghouls or whatever the hell kids are dressing up as these days. Emphasis on the word 'tiny'. If you are bigger than me, you're getting an apple.

Football. Confession: I don't follow or even understand football, other than Friday Night Lights, but we plan on going to at least one university game this year, just for something to do. It's also cool to have on TV in the background when you have people over, like you're watching it on purpose and actually care. No one needs to know I'm a fake football fan. Except now, the Internet knows. Shh?

Tights. Enabling longer spans between the shaving of the legs: I can get behind it. See also boots.

Dark nail polish colours. Lincoln Park After Dark in the summer just makes me feel angry.

Gossip Girl and ANTM are back on. Thoughts on last night's GG? Dan ain't that baby daddy, Serena needs to never wear high waisted pink parachute pants again, and WTF Chuck?

What are you most excited about this fall?