HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!- Why Fall is the Best Season Hands Down

Fall is hands down my favorite season of the year. Apple cider gracing grocery store isles, cinnamon and pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving, oh my! Fall is fantastic, but what really is the hype, you ask?

COZY. That’s the answer. Fall is the coziest time of year. Everyone’s getting ready for halloween and Christmas coming soon. Everything seems to slow- the days are more solemn. It’s a peaceful, gathering season. (In both senses of the word). Everyone is gathering with their loved ones, farmers gather wheat. It’s a very uniting season.

In fact, the reason I set my book ‘Daisy, May’ to begin in autumn is because of all of the restoration that happens during this time of year. Both May and Daisy feel the peace and warmth of the end of the year, giving them a little encouragement and confidence to face their struggles with strength.

So, because it is finally fall (and yet, still 85 degrees outside), I’m going to share with you some of my favorite things about fall. This is in no particular order 🙂 I hope you find something you will enjoy doing!

Wreath making. I have always loved art and crafty things, just doing something creative with my hands. making wreaths is a fun way to get festive and an excuse to go to Joann’s, Michaels, or just on a nature walk outside with someone you want to spend time with.

Leaf Impressions. I did these with my grandpa when i was little… we’d pick out crispy fall leaves (and obviously try to find the biggest one, duh), and then take out our favorite crayons and make all kinds of cool leaves. It’s fall’s legacy.

Painting. This hobby is fun any time of year, but something about red and orange leaves that just makes it so much homier and closer to the heart. Trees are majestic, and somehow, fall makes endings look so much more like beginnings, and that is so perfectly and poetically paint-worthy 🙂

Apple Cider. I wish I had a family recipe to share with you so you could make your own hot apple cider to gather ’round the fire with; but really, I only have store-bought (I plan on making my own this year though, so stay tuned and i can share that experience with you!) and heat it up in a pot. Still good for hanging around the fire watching romance movies 😉

Pinecones. And I mean the ones that smell of cinnamon that you use to adorn your mantle or centerpiece. As a kid, that was always my favorite part of this time of year- smelling the scented pinecones. I would pick them up off our credenza and sit there inhaling it until I couldn’t smell the cinnamon anymore (or until someone was watching). I would even keep them in my room. Fun fact: Cinnamon is one of my top 3 favorite scents.

Hot cocoa. Okay, yes, hot cocoa is more for Christmas and whatnot, but I’m that kind of person that looks forward to Christmas right as September hits. Get out the hot cocoa and christmas movies! I’m ready for a marathon- don’t forget the blankets, cuddles, and fire in the fireplace.

Joy. I’m not talking about the razor from the pesky advertisements that we all know is sold only at (wait, I actually don’t know). I’m talking about that feeling of deep peace and wellness. And I DO have a recipe for that. Get ready, cause it’s long! Jk, it’s actually very short and do-able 😉

1. Gather people (or a person) you love around your living room. Measure to your liking, or until your heart is full.
2. Locate a comfy couch to cuddle in front of the fireplace on in the evening (and obviously to watch a movie). Hugs are a must for this step.
3. Watch a sunset and collect an armful of leaves to impress. *This step is optional, but I always love adding it for that extra dash of spice.
4. Warm Apple cider and fall crafts. For this step, you’ll need a pot (and stove unless you steam your cider over a fire), and artsy seasonings to taste.
5. A handful of Cinnamon scented Pinecones.

See? Not very long. It just takes a few maple leaves, and good company 🙂

Apple Picking. This is a well-known autumn tradition to pick apples for cider, apple pie, or bobbing. No matter what you use them for, the experience is a great bonding and calm adventure activity. And I mean, who doesn’t love picking apples? Be one with nature, embrace the autumn, and pick apples (or pumpkins at a pumpkin patch!).

The Color of the Leaves. This obviously isn’t something you can do, but it is something you can enjoy. (It’s also part of step 3 in the recipe for Joy). And it is quite possibly one of my most favorite things about fall.

This is a very short list of all the wonderful aspects of fall (trick-or-treating, harvest festivals, carving pumpkins- but that’s all for a later October blog post :D), but it’s some of my favorites. Write some of your favorite fall activities or memories down below! I’d love to hear or try some of your traditions this year!

Happy Fall, and grab your flannels and coats! (it has to turn cold eventually, right?!)