Normally for me, fall brings with it a sense of dread. It’s the end of my favorite season, summer, and winter is looming around the corner. The light changes and dims, the lush green fades, and I start feeling cold. It’s a time of changes - going back to school, getting used to a new, busier schedule, and doing chores in preparation for winter.
This year felt different. Since summer was kind of a bummer with the high humidity, hot temperatures early in the season, and frequent wet weather, I was ready for a change. I embraced baking again wholeheartedly. It felt good to be in the kitchen and not sweltering, or anxiously adjusting bread recipes so they wouldn’t be too wet. Or, waiting for granola to cool so it could get put away before it got soggy. I was ready to make soups again and pots of beans. I’ve been experimenting with new baking recipes and making things because I want to.
I thought I’d share my fall recommendations with you. Rather than buying more (other than the chai - you should buy that!), I’ve been trying to “shop my stash” and use things that I already own to get the fall feels. As we look at ways to conserve and reduce our collective footprints, using what you already have is one of the best methods.
I’m not a pumpkin spice person (or even a coffee drinker anymore, due to food allergies), but I’ve settled on my fall beverage of choice - chai. In years past, I’ve made my own by simmering a mix of spices for an hour or more, then steeping the tea, straining, and putting the concentrate away for later. I discovered something even better and way faster this year. In joining the In Pursuit of Tea monthly subscription, I discovered their Masala Chai. It’s very spicy and rich, and only takes ten minutes to brew a very flavorful cup, with milk and sweetener added to taste.
To get my closet ready, I took out all of my sweaters, setting aside what I was going to give away. Then I washed them all, separated by color, on the gentle cycle and laid them out to dry. I went a step further and de-pilled any that needed it. Usually, I pull out the sweater bin, sigh at my old, worn in choices, and toss them into a drawer. There was something in the act of caring for the sweaters that made me happy to start wearing them again. They felt clean and fluffy and as brand new as they’re going to get. It also helped me see that I didn’t need more sweaters, but I could use a few more long sleeve layers.
I went through my make up and skincare selections and tossed anything that was old. This helped me to find my new-old fall colors, and switch over to moisturizers that would help my soon to be dry skin.
Outside plants needed to come in. Rather than waiting until the last minute, I’ve been bringing them in gradually to get adjusted. I’ve also been culling my collection of anything that looks sickly, has bugs, or isn’t sparking joy anymore. We’ll be inside together all winter - I want to enjoy anyone who’s taking up real estate!
I did a little spring cleaning, in reverse. I got out the candlesticks and beeswax tapers. I cleaned off the dining room table and decorated with some small pumpkins. I cleaned closets.
I had never thought about fall in this way before, about greeting the change in seasons with a sense of intention. I welcomed my possessions that I took out and enjoyed the ritual of changing things over for a new season.