The dark overcast, crisp weather, multicolored leaves and occasional ominous clouds, signal the change of the hot, humid summer season into the fall.

When I think about autumn, I think about heavy jackets, black trash bags and large piles of fallen leaves. I think about cozying up to my coffee mug filled with hot chocolate or tea, while swaddling myself with my fairy throw on my coach.

Fall is that time to get lazy and wear the oversized leg warmers, wool sweaters and thermal socks. It’s also the time to pull out the hearty chicken noodle and chunky beef stews from the cabinets.

Fall is especially the time to spend with family and friends. I don’t know if it’s the cool weather or something else, but I enjoy spending more time with my family during this season.

And how can I talk about the fall without mentioning an American tradition such as Thanksgiving?  Even though its still three weeks away, I’ve been longing for the savory southern cuisines, delicious side dishes and tasty treats all year long.

From my favorites of sweet potato pie to pecan pie to red velvet or juicy, honey-glazed ham, to the traditional turkey legs, cornbread and cranberry sauce, no one can deny that Turkey Day is the time that everyone annually anticipates.

When I was younger, Thanksgiving for us began with CBS broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. From smiling children, to drill teams, to the outrageous costumes and larger-than-life floats — including my favorite “Snoopy,” from the Peanuts comic strip, the parade was a family tradition, and something we’d always look forward to as we sat around the television, liberally stuffing our faces.

If we didn’t make a trip to one of my better-than-a-food-network-chef aunts’ house, then me and my siblings would choose to cook ourselves — from making my father’s signature roast, to our Taylor-made cornbread stuffing. Diabetes or high blood pressure never crossed our minds as we seasoned and sugared everything to our liking! Magnifico!

My Thanksgiving as a youth brings back so many memories and makes me appreciate the family I adore.