Coziness is always something I strive for, but when autumn begins to roll around once again, my desire for a cozy atmosphere and lifestyle is even more evident. And it seems as though I've got an extra fire within me to make it so. I am a big believer in cozy living...abundant living...beautiful living. I'm not a minimalist and don't even believe in that trendy lifestyle at all (perhaps I'll share more on that in the future...I'm quite passionate about this topic!), but cozy living, that's something I'm all about.
Our home is full of coziness...from warm, thick blankets casually draped over the back of the couch and spicy scented essential oils creating a comforting scent wafting through the air, there are ample tastes of coziness everywhere I turn in our home. Candles flickering and cups of tea in hand, bookshelves filled to overflowing with books of all sorts, and stacks of movies to watch whilst curled up on the couch, fuzzy socks on and the lights dimmed low. Shelves of board games and decks of cards invite you to sit at the little table we have placed beside the fireplace for an evening of games, laughter and warmth by the fireside. Soups and stews simmering on the stovetop all afternoon long and bread rising waiting to be kneaded and shaped into loaves of beauty and heavenly flavor. Soft and sweet lighting creates a peaceful atmosphere and ambience as opposed to the harsh white light that is almost blinding. And favorite medleys and tunes are playing in the background, making whatever you are doing all the more fun...even cleaning. Yes, even cleaning.
Autumn and winter find more folks gathering in since the nights draw in earlier. This is the perfect opportunity to turn inward to your home and focus on what you can do to make it a more cozy atmosphere. You can make huge changes with little hassle. Here are a few of our favorite ways to bring coziness to our home...during autumn and winter (many of these we implement all year round):
♥ change our your lamp lights from white to amber, and use a lower wattage as well
♥ invest in an oil diffuser and always have some blend diffusing
♥ make dinner time special by lighting candles and dimming the lights
♥ keep calming music playing in the background...for us, this doesn't mean soft, slow music, but rather, uplifting Irish/Celtic tunes
♥ take every opportunity you can during these cooler months to allow your dinner to simmer on the stovetop all afternoon...soups, stews, chilis, etc., or even roast a chicken
♥ make comfort food often (it doesn't have to be unhealthy!)...pot pies, homemade bread, etc.
♥ drink lots and lots of hot tea and cider and cocoa and coffee...have fun making different homemade recipes similar to the ones you find in coffee shops
♥ games nights, movie nights, marathon nights of your favorite TV shows
♥ have plenty of blankets and quilts handy...keeping them out makes them easy to grab and they add such a cozy, homey look to any room
♥ keep your coats, scarves, hats and gloves easily accessible so you will be encouraged to go outside more often
♥ purpose to enjoy nights of crafting...whether it be painting, knitting, sewing, crocheting, paper crafting, scrapbooking, journaling, etc.
♥ purpose to broaden your horizons when it comes to cooking and baking from scratch...I can't think of a better time to learn a new kitchen skill than this time of year, or simply enjoy a skill you already have practiced
♥ read, read, read...curl up with a good book and be transported to another place...and learn something new, too
♥ decorate for the season and holidays...decorations are not clutter
♥ hang twinkly fairy lights and bring a bit of whimsy and magic to a room
There are plenty of other things I'm sure I'm forgetting about, but you get the idea. All of these ideas are super simple, and yet they have a wonderful effect on a home, and those who live there. Home comforts and coziness are the two main themes of our home. We don't have a particular decorating style and we cook all sorts of foods. You won't come into our home and see a magazine-worthy room or a professionally decorated or designed room. It's just homey and comfortable and lived it. But we wouldn't have it any other way. We desire coziness and comfort and a homey feel...when you come into our home, we want you to feel welcome and prop your feet up on our worn coffee table and just be comfy and settle in for as long as you want. We'll probably offer you something to eat and it will most likely be homemade, and our tea will be served in a mug from our great collection. If it's cold enough, the fire will be roaring and there'll probably be some toe-tapping Irish/Celtic music playing in the background. Cats will be rambling around and may even find a cozy spot on your lap for one of their many daily naps. We'll chat about anything and everything and will laugh so hard I'll probably cry. But it's comfortable and cozy and it's home.
We love it that way.
October...
all I need is tea and warm socks.
Apple Spice Bread
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup pure cane sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
chopped pecans, for topping
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg. Gently stir to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, applesauce, sugar and brown sugar, melted butter, sour cream and vanilla extract. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until all the flour is mixed in thoroughly.
Divide the batter into about 3 mini loaf tins that have been sprayed with nonstick spray. Sprinkle the top of each one with a generous handful (or two) of chopped pecans.
Bake at 350*F for about 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the tins for 10 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
You can, of course, serve this bread warm if you don't let it cool all the way and are anxious to taste the autumnal goodness this bread holds...no judgment here!
You can also freeze this bread in individual loaves wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Then you'll have an easy treat for another day.
This bread tastes especially delicious with a cuppa tea...or coffee, if that's what you fancy.
Home is the comfiest place to be.
-Winnie the Pooh-
May your day be as cozy as can be and may you enjoy some of the finest home comforts...
and may you seek to cultivate these things in your home each day as well.
Bless you!
♥