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Marketplace Consignment Sale’s month-plus is intense for me. After being home pretty much only to attempt some sleep since the first of August, it’s time to restock the cupboards to be able to cook at home.

I’m ready for some slow simmering, for sure.

My daughter-in-law and grandson joined me for grocery shopping trips to Aldi, Costco and Sam’s last week. People sometimes debate the differences in Costco and Sam’s.

I don’t go often to either one, and they seem very similar to me. However, we did notice an interesting difference.

At Aldi, Courtnee and I were excited to select several seasonal pumpkin products, such as pumpkin-spice yogurt-covered pretzels, maple raisin bread and spiced whipped topping. There was certainly a fun call-to-fall variety available.

At Sam’s, we noticed aisles of huge Halloween decorations, as well as plenty of fall food offerings – from pumpkin-spiced coffee to cake rolls and cheesecakes. It was a pumpkin-lover’s delight. Then we went to Costco.

Strangely, we were greeted by lighted Christmas trees, reindeer, snowmen and gingerbread houses. I’m not sure if the coffee aisle had either sold out of pumpkin spice … or skipped it altogether. But there on featured display was the Starbuck’s holiday assortment, as they call it.

Courtnee did grab one of those big pumpkin pies from the bakery at Costco, and we enjoyed it with our flavored whipped cream. Again, because I haven’t been in a few months, I wondered whether they debuted fall décor super early and it had come and gone … or whether they skipped straight to Christmas offerings.

We’ve long lamented how big box stores seem to rush us through the different holidays, looking for the cash cow to feature. While I’m not a Halloween girl, I am an “all things fall” lover. And I’m not willing to skip my favorite season.

As a matter of fact, I intend to try to savor it. As we are so ready for the drop in temperatures, signaling the arrival of fall, let us take a deep breath and get ready to really soak it in.

The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and cozy feels … are just what I need to unwind. Maybe you do too.

I just know I’m so tired of rushing. There’s too much good stuff we’re missing when we do. I read the following quote by an unknown author last week:

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”

I’m pretty sure my heart shouted, “Amen!”

When the ways of this world seem to distract us, frustrate us, confuse us, and/or make us feel as though we’re always a step behind, let us check our emotions and note from where those thoughts come.

Instead of allowing ourselves to be caught up in a man-made whirlwind, let’s step outside “all that” and feel the breeze on our faces and the excitement stirring in the air. Let’s both slow and deepen our breathing, fully inhaling and exhaling, allowing our bodies and souls to soak in the blessings around us.

This time of year I especially identify with the descriptive wording used by many of the Psalm writers.

“Glory, majesty, honor, splendor, beauty … all point me to praise God, the Creator who “made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.” (Psalm 104:19)

“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.” (Psalm 96:4-6)

And as I try to be more intentional about noticing, thanking, and praising God, I’ll be preparing my heart for Thanksgiving, which really ought to not be confined to one short holiday around a loaded table sandwiched between football games.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100)

He is good — indeed!

Gina Moore, a news-editorial journalism major, has operated Marketplace Consignment Sale for 29 years and has worked part-time at Treasures. She also enjoys country cooking, reading and writing about motherhood, life on the farm and how God’s love and lessons surround residents.