Autumn holds so much within its grasp...beauty, wonder, magic, warmth, invitation, coziness. Upon the first cool, crisp morning, my heart feels lighter and I am more myself than I've been for months. Summer just isn't my favorite; autumn, however, reawakens something deep within my soul. It causes me to remember the things I most love and value.
I could sit here and list many things that I most anticipate about autumn...but I've chosen a select handful, or two, to share today. I shared a brief list of the things I love about autumn in an earlier post in this series. But today, I thought I would share a bit more about my most loved things about autumn...
I'd love to invite you to find a cozy chair to squish down into and brew a cuppa for yourself of the most delectable, warm and spicy hot tea you can find...light a candle or pop some seasonal blends into your diffuser. Get comfy and settle in...we're about to count just a few of the blissful bits and bobs of autumn!
The golden days of October are at hand,
and the earth has begun already to put on her
garniture of glory.
-Charles J. Peterson-
Fall flavors
everything from pumpkin and apple baked breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, pies...
cinnamon and nutmeg and ginger and cardamom and cloves...
Warm, spicy scents
the warmth and spiciness of the scents at this time of year, it just evokes such a coziness about everything...it's almost like everywhere you go, there's this underlying cozy feel; it's nearly unexplainable but so prevalent.
Pumpkins everywhere
truly, everywhere you go there's pumpkin in some form, whether it's the actual plump, orange beauty gracing the front steps of many homes, or in the form of donuts, muffins or drinks at the local coffee shop, or in the scents that fill the air...you cannot escape the almighty pumpkin come autumn.
The leaves are changing;
I feel poetry in the air.
-Laura Jaworski-
New TV seasons and old favorite movies
my favorite TV show returns each and every autumn for a new season and I eagerly await it all year...then there are the movies and shows that we always make sure we watch this time of year...never missing the Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed episodes of our favorite shows
Autumnal colors
the rusty, copper reds and burnt oranges and vivid goldens that are everywhere as well as the warm oatmeal and plum and cranberry colors...they're just so dreamy...I love them in nature, clothing, decorations, you name it.
Hot drinks
autumn is the time of year when I resurrect my nightly teatime ritual because summer is just too steamy for a hot drink...but come autumn, I'm all about the tea, flavored coffees, hot chocolates and apple ciders...give me all the hot drinks!
October had tremendous possibility...
the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures.
They made me believe in miracles.
-Sarah Guillory-
Our Autumn celebration dinner
it's a tradition we started at least five years ago and now it's become mandatory...on the first of autumn, we make a special dinner and dessert and celebrate the official start of the best time of year...it's cozy and home comforts are at their finest
Leaves dancing
the sight of leaves waltzing in the street is a magical thing to behold...also the crunch they make under your feet whilst you walk down the sidewalk is a musical wonder.
Decorating for the season
I love pulling out all our old decorations each year, as well as adding to the collection just a bit to the collection when we find something cute...it's always fun finding the perfect spot in the house or gardens for each item...and it surely makes a home more inviting and welcoming but for those who live there and those who visit.
I feel the world as my home
when autumn begins
and the leaves start leaving the trees
to accompany my footsteps.
-Axel Marazzi-
Cozy clothing
I'm a cozy, casual clothing type of gal all year round, but autumn and winter are my favorites...I get so excited when the day comes to pull out my warm sweatshirts and sweaters and flannel shirts and leggings and boots and favorite pair of jeans and warm pajamas...the clothing at this time of year is my all-time fave!
Scarves and wool hats and gloves
I have a collection of these things so large you'd think I lived in the arctic...alas, I don't, but nonetheless I still love them. I have several favorite pieces that I got whilst in Ireland several years ago and they are my go-to...I love the cozy feel they have when you wear them...some might even say they feel like a hug.
Road trips and being out in nature
travelling to admire the beauty of the season is a must in my book...while we do enjoy some (little bits here and there) color here in TN, we also love travelling up north in the autumn to really see autumn showing off her wondrous glory...and even here at home, I try to be out in nature as much as possible this time of year...there's just so much gorgeousness to take in...one season of the year truly isn't enough to hold all that autumn offers.
Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries
of the earth are never alone or weary of life.
-Rachel Carson-
Cool, crisp weather
the hot weather is pure misery in my opinion, so when the cool, crispness of autumn days returns, I'm all about it...the colder the better...and as the Scandanavians say, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." I say bring on all the chilly, rainy, (even snowy!), seasonal days...I live for days like that!
Holidays
Halloween and Thanksgiving are the two holidays at this time of year and each one is special in its own way...we've always sought to make each one fun and memorable and even though we're a household of only adults now, don't let that fool you! We still love celebrating Halloween.
The change of lighting
the earlier sunsets and golden light are full of bliss and delight...we love having all the plantation shutters in our home open in the autumn to really soak up the light as well as bringing nature "in" as much as possible. our kitties love watching the squirrels chase each other through the old, reaching trees in our yard, too.
What are the things that you most anticipate about autumn? Do share below!
May your day be blissful in every way, dear ones!
♥