Fall is beginning to settle into the mountains of Southwest Montana, and I can feel the change in the smallest things.

The mornings are darker now. There is a chill in the air when I step outside, and the mountain peaks are beginning to show their first dusting of snow. (We had our first light frost last night!) The aspens are turning gold, one hillside at a time.

I wake up slowly, make a cup of coffee, and stand by the window for a few minutes before the day really begins. The mountains look different every morning this time of year. Some days they’re glowing in the early light, and other days clouds hang low over the peaks.

I pull on a sweater, boots, and a warm jacket and head outside.

The air smells like fall.

There is something about Montana mornings that makes you want to breathe a little deeper.

Weekend Mornings

The first part of my day is usually simple.

Coffee. A little tidying. Letting the fresh air into the house. Checking the weather and deciding what kind of day the mountains have planned for me.

I don’t always have a big adventure planned.

Sometimes the best days are the ordinary ones.

I might take a drive down one of the mountain roads, stopping to admire the golden aspens or watch the clouds move across the ridges. Other days I’ll stay close to home, catching up on things that were neglected during the busy summer months.

Fall seems to make everyday chores feel different.

Maybe it’s the cool air coming through the open door or the sound of pines whispering in the wind.

Maybe it’s simply knowing that winter is waiting just around the corner.

Outside Time

By late morning, I’m usually ready to get outside for a while.

This is the season for long walks, mountain drives, collecting natural items, exploring back roads, and enjoying the last comfortable days before winter arrives.

As the landscape changes the greens of summer slowly disappear, replaced by gold, brown, and deep evergreen. The mountains already have that hint of winter on them, while the valleys are still holding onto autumn.

I stop often.

Sometimes just to take a picture.

Sometimes because the view is too beautiful to drive past.

And sometimes because I need a moment to stand quietly and take it all in.

Living around these mountains has taught me that I don’t always have to go somewhere spectacular to have a memorable day.

Afternoon at Home

By afternoon, the sun has warmed things up just enough to sit outside for a while.

This is when I start thinking about dinner.

Fall makes me want to cook but the kids have lives of their own now and cooking for two and adding high altitude into the baking scene means cooking and baking differently.

Something that fills the house with the smell of garlic, herbs, bread, or something simmering on the stove.

After months of summer meals and eating outside, there is something amazing about coming back to the kitchen.

The days are getting shorter, and I’m beginning to appreciate home in a different way.

Evening in the Mountains

By sunset, the temperature drops quickly.

I put on another layer and step outside one more time.

The mountains turn pink, then purple, and finally disappear into the evening darkness.

The world gets quiet.

Maybe there is a fire going. Maybe dinner is waiting inside. Maybe I’m sitting with a blanket, listening to the wind move through the trees.

And then the stars come out.

No big plans.

No need to hurry.

Just home, mountains, cold air, and a sky full of stars.

Welcoming Fall

Before heading inside for the night, I take one last look toward the mountains.

Fall is such a short season here.

The golden leaves will soon be gone, the snow will deepen on the peaks, and winter will arrive.

So I’m trying to notice it all while it’s here.

The crisp mornings.

The golden trees.

The smell of wood smoke.

The first snow on the mountains.

The quiet afternoons.

The warm evenings at home.

This is my life in Southwest Montana as fall arrives—not glamorous, not complicated, but beautiful in all the little ways.