A Change of Season - Celebrating Food, Colour and Activities for All Four Seasons

There are few things in life as magical as watching and feeling the first snowdrops of winter falling - the garden seems to turn into a white, winter wonderland.

Stepping outside, feeling the crisp air and picking up leaves in beautiful shades of reds and oranges - you'll know Autumn has arrived.

Flowers that start to bloom and leaves that turn green again, yes that's Spring announcing herself.

And finally, the scent of summer arrives, endless daylight hours and warm ocean breezes intoxicate our senses.

Changes of season are exciting, whatever the season - there's something beautiful to look forward to in each one. And we can celebrate each season by using simple things around us, changing up a few colours around the house, enjoying seasonal foods and exploring parts of nature that we're not really able to do during other parts of the year.

As the Southern hemisphere looks forward to lazy Summer days ahead, and the Northern hemisphere plans for a cozy and warm Winter, I couldn't think of a better opportunity than to list reasons to feel good and enjoy each and every season.

Ah, Spring. The season of new beginnings, of hoarding out the old and starting fresh. Birds chirp, leaves suddenly appear back on trees, and flowers bloom overnight.

Springtime Delights!

• Flowers that bloom
• Green grass
• Spring cleaning
• Picnics in the sun
• Cold pasta salads
• Salmon and minted vegetables
• Quiches
• Fresh fruit juices
• Fishing
• Cucumber and avocado
• Cool shades of green
• "So Fresh, So Clean" - Outkast
• Shorts and skirts
• Lemongrass
• "It's a Beautiful Day" - U2.
• Lilac
• Daisies
• Apricots
• Spring in Tokyo

Long, hot summer days, lying out next to the pool or watching the sun set on the beach, sipping on a cocktail. Summer is the season of love, holidays and childhood memories.

Summer Fun!

• Romantic sunsets
• Ice cream cones
• Surfing
• Lemonade
• Barbeques
• Camping
• Cocktails
• Sunflowers
• Strawberries
• "Boys of Summer" - DJ Sammy
• Cold tomato soup
• "Summer of 69" - Bryan Adams
• Fresh fruit salad
• Prawns and avocado starters
• Sundresses
• Straw hats
• Shades of yellow and blue
• Fish tacos
• Pina Coladas
• Road trips
• Summer in the Caribbean

Autumn boasts cool, crisp mornings and trees decorated in bright shades of reds, yellows and oranges. It's a time for harvesting, gathering and preparing for the cold months ahead.

Autumn Treasures:

• Warm apple pie
• Cider
• Gold and bronze
• Pine-cones and acorns
• Chestnuts
• Pumpkin pie
• Cranberry sauce
• "Autumn" - Paolo Nutini
• Burgundy
• Hiking and walking trails
• Bonfires
• Corn and squash soup
• Cinnamon
• Sherry
• Rollerblading
• Poached pears in wine sauce
• Autumn sun
• Bike rides
• Roast vegetables with garlic
• Autumn in New York

Snowflakes, misty air, ice, hail and fog are a few clues from Mother Nature letting us know that Winter has arrived. It's the season to snuggle up, eat comfort food and spend quality time indoors.

Winter Fun:

• Fireplaces
• Roasted marshmallows
• Hot chocolate
• Movie marathons
• Board games
• Roast chicken
• Red wine
• Fluffy blankets
• Snowmen
• Chili sauce
• Browns and reds
• Fondues
• Macaroni Cheese
• Skiing
• "Winter" - The Rolling Stones
• Sticky Toffee pudding
• Scarves
• Christmas Rose
• "Early Winter" - Gwen Stefani
• Hot water bottles
• Winter in Switzerland

No matter the season, or where in the world you are situated, a change in season means a change in the way we view things, do things and make things happen.

An occasion to celebrate the good in life, to be grateful for what we have and thankful for those around us.

We can take ordinary things from nature, food, colours - and turn them into something beautiful to enjoy at home and ring in the new season.

There's a saying that goes, "A change is as good as a holiday", so if you think about it - we get a holiday four times a year, and we don't even have to go anywhere!

Melanie Chisnall is a freelance writer from Cape Town, South Africa.

She is a nature lover and enjoys going on hikes, running on the beach or just sitting in the garden. Her favourite season is Autumn and believes that we find our true selves in the heart of nature.