This time of year is my favorite (with late spring being a close runner-up). I was thinking today about how much time my mother and I spent outdoors at this time of year when I was a kid, and the sights, tastes and smells that instantly take me back. I love that some of those same sights, tastes and smells will one day bring my children back to the time we spend together at this time of year.

Here are some of my instant autumn memory-triggers:

Sights:
the brilliant golds, reds, and oranges of leaves changing color on the trees
piles of bumpy, ugly gourds
soft fuzzy sweaters

Smells:
a fresh Mcintosh apple
pumpkin guts
spiced cider
leaves on the ground. (Oh I love that smell!)

Tastes:
that first taste of the first McIntosh apple of the season
warm homemade applesauce (I sometimes cheat and make it by heating up jarred applesauce on the stovetop and adding spices)
pumpkin pie

What sounds, smells, tastes, or sights instantly remind you of the fall? Are you making a point to make your childhood autumn memories into great autumn memories for your kids, too?

Photo credit: bowlingranny from morguefile.com