5 minute read
The Joys of Autumn
Autumn is the most enchanting time of the year. It’s the arrival of clear, crisp air after summer’s dusty, intense heat; the excitement of school and sports back in full swing; warming foods and drinks that comfort like no others can; the sounds of crunching leaves and marching bands; and special times with family and friends as the holidays appear on the horizon. During this time of high energy, autumn also magically brings with her an aura of calm; a pull to savor mindful moments and take time for cleansing breaths as we reflect on the year.
Slowing down as we simultaneously begin to gear up for fall events and the holiday season is a challenging juxtaposition indeed. Fall arrives for me the second that I sense a barely perceptible change in the late August atmosphere—an ever-so subtle softening of the sun’s rays in the morning light, with perhaps the slightest hint of a chill in the early air. At that moment, my mind starts creating a “Celebrate Autumn” list that will infuse every day with seasonal fun and flair, for me and for the ones I love. Want to create your own list? (Or add to one?)
Here are some favorite things to do:
Leaf-peeping. Taking drives or trips to view and photograph fall colors in all their glory is a common activity across the country, especially in regions known for spectacular autumn displays. The jewel tones of autumn definitely show themselves here in the Central Valley, too! Simply taking a walk in your neighborhood or local areas will surround you with autumn’s beauty. Stand under a tree on a breezy day and let the leaves float down around you. Ancient folklore has it that for every leaf you catch before it touches the ground, you will have one month of good luck in the coming year.
Give your home (and office) a fall glow-up! From the front door through every room, welcome guests and the change of seasons with the beauty and whimsy of deep colors, classic autumnal scents, and fun décor. Change your throw blankets and pillows for extra cozy conversation spots.
Get Cozy. Speaking of blankets, curl up in one by a cozy fire, or soak in a candle-lit scented bath with a cup of spiced hot cider or cocoa and a stack of fall magazines, cookbooks, and novels. (Bonus points for cozy mystery novels.)
Savor sweater weather! Day trips to cooler locations, like Three Rivers or Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, provide opportunities to bundle up in scarves, coats, and thick socks with boots. Look for special events commemorating the season (like the Springville Apple Festival). Fall is a beautiful time for wine tasting, too.
Visit a pumpkin patch. See all the varieties that are available, along with gourds, corn stalks, hay bales, and giant sunflowers. Bring pumpkins home to carve, decorate, and cook in—search online and in cookbooks for soup and stew recipes cooked and served in pumpkins.
Fill up on fall. Bake all the warmly spiced breads and cookies; simmer apple cider and mulled wine on the stove. Search out fall flavors and unique foods to add to everyday dishes. Pumpkin macaroni and cheese or chili? Yes, please! (In some stores you might even find limited edition products like cheeses with pumpkin spice. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!)
Visit the farmers market. Fill your shopping bag with apples, jujubes (Chinese dates), pears, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, butternut and spaghetti squash, and more. On second thought, you might want to bring a wagon! Chat with the vendors about creative ways to cook with, serve, and preserve the produce.
Browse through seasonal treasures! Pop into antique and thrift stores and search for vintage plaid thermoses and Halloween décor. Beautiful dishes for Thanksgiving dinner may reveal themselves to patient shoppers willing to slowly stroll the aisles and listen for items that call to them.
Warm up together. Brisk, bright days are perfect for gathering your favorite people. Tailgate parties at home or in the stadium parking lot, wine and charcuterie tastings, festive brunches, dinners both fancy and casual, and game nights are toasts to togetherness with family, friends, and the flavors of the season.
Every now and then, stop and just let autumn surround you. Listen to the happy chatter of special people. Breathe in the freshness of cold morning air, kettle corn at a football game or the rustic scent of a wood burning fire. Let the light of the full Harvest Moon shine down on you, refreshing and realigning your spirit with the season. All these charmed moments will become indelible memories in your mind that will bring you comfort all through the year, and have you counting the days until autumn arrives again.
