It´s Autumn once again here in southern Germany. I can´t find any reasons to stay in and not go for quiet walks, or procrastinate to run these days. Quiet for me means “alone, undisturbed and without a haste ” moment.I get these time whenever possible so whenever I am with myself, i indulged in it.I refuse to understand the excuse not to be outside, since sunshine is too priceless for a medicine not to soak- in , or unless of course I can´t really “walk” or I am not allowed to go outside.But hey, along with these colorful beauties comes the reality bites of our daily life here in Germany.

I think i´m living long enough here in Germany that I have learned to lived here with the kind of weather that we have.Weather is always a boring topic but still, it can make or break our days.Living in Kuwait before I don´t have the luxury of winter, Fall or Spring.In the tropical climate we have in the Philippines, its either rainy, too sunny or stormy kind of weather that we have on our plate, those are only our choice.

But here in Bavaria, the southern part of Germany, it´s a koleidoscope.A buffet of colours i must say.A palette of ochre yellows, sepia browns and salty rusty copper, deep orange, browns, warm earth rustic reds and of course, a touch of burgundy, pink and lavender.I have learned to loved these colors.You can see all these colours in Fall, (or Herbst) during sunrise,sunsets, and the surrounding foliage.When it appears, but sadly gone in seconds,I guess you are not normal if you don´t wanna grab your phone and snap a photo of it…

Some random days I just busied myself journaling, escaping social media and crowd madness and retreating to my creative hole.I guess its all part of self care and healing .I prefer it that way and it brought more producivity in me.Sitting behind my computer to learn something, and not to surf..oh but sometimes I research for 2- 3 hour drive hike destinations near to us and of course, this thing called “random online venting/blogging”

I also love garden -watching during fall season because I see pretty cone flowers in red, orange and yellow shades, paired up with cozy Autumn decorations in patios and terraces.It´s like walking in our local botanical garden without the fees.The sight of Chrysanthemums starting to bloom always makes me excited.Pumpkins and autumn wreaths too, creates a warm autumn feeling as well.Also, seeing my 80+ year old lady neighbour who tidies up her garden really make me smile,she´s just a living inspiration.

October in Bavaria is a kind of magical month here for me and I guess for the others as well, kinda hectic,but everyone is actually always busy with anything! It´s a kind of festive for Oktoberfest and beer drinking madness, parents are always busy parenting their kids, while kids stays in school while the rest of us still working, despite the cold, foggy mornings and yellow carpet of leaves on our feet.Come the dreaded November and we are showered with nasty rains, windy day spells and just gray days.November rain–my garden loves it but sometimes it gets into my nerves.After that comes the ultimate ugliness–bare trees, leafless, crispy stems and branches, almost lifeless and hard soil, embraced by the unwelcome frost.

I took some photos and got some really impressions from my walks for the past days.My neighbourhood is quite colorful nowadays and begging me for photograph sessions.This artwork were made by schoolchildren during their “Wanderntag“.Schoolchildren here spent a day outside of classroom just walking through a park, playground, around the lake and just being active.I think its great since “outdoor fun” is also cool thing.I noticed that even Kindergarten kids are always out on sunny chilly October mornings gathering Horse chestnuts, fallen leaves and do something creative out of it.My daughter bought her strawberry picnic mat during their Wanderntag and when she came home, the strawberry mat is coated in mud, smudge and dirt.I guess its just the same as strawberry coated in chocolates.

At least here in Germany, Autumn picnics still happens :-)

I avoid listening to music when I am running or walking so I can be more aware of nature´s sounds.Although I would love to hear Queen, in times like this, there´s something about the sound of the fallen leaves when I stepped on it, or while I walk and run or cycle on it.Their crisp sound of surrender, they are finally done & fought the good fight.They´ve served their purpose and on their way to hibernation and decay.I guess these colours shows nature´s final performance , deserving an applause before they recede to winter.

After walking around I realized that my neighbourhood changed through times as well.New apartments pop up, new faces & cars .The river Danube still graces us with her calm waters ,giving me chills when I see the fog dancing abover her waters.I stood on the other side of the river and snap this photo below–like a screenshot of a Monet painting, or an abstract piece in my mind.

Autumn mood drives my to baking, or concocting something warm & hearty.My mind drifts to a scent of freshly baked apple pie or cinnamon rolls, or some Spekulatius tart as well , with pumpkin spices which I also sprinkle in my cappucino.This phase gets me into baking since the weather is just right for lazing and getting cozy at the comfort of our home.During Fall, I am making a whole new batch of fresh Kimchi and Plum compote.For me, there´s nothing more than these simple joys .This is called Autumnal baking, it´s just heavenly delicious.

Then my hands will be dirty again as it goes back to the garden for me to plant the spring bulbs.It´s a cycle on repeat.

For us here in Bavaria, autumn is the second Spring, when every leaf becomes a flower, and some of those flowers didn´t actually die, they are busy becoming a seed.

At the ed of the day, i sigh and thought ,my south Bavarian autumn still leaves me in awe.

Until then, Tschüß!