How do you celebrate autumn? I mean truly embrace it? Not the "holidays" but the season. We know that it's obvious to talk about pumpkins, and pumpkin spice, and then before you know it holiday decorations... BUT there is so much more you can do to truly connect with this cooler season with it's soft, low light and briskly shorter days. It's a time to celebrate beyond the standard holiday themes and hype. In fact, I would honestly say that my deepest desire is to escape much of the commercial and cultural pressure and demands that are almost impossible to escape once Labor Day hits. We've compiled a list of wonderful ideas on how do just that... ~ post continues below ~ Here's our list of 14 treasured activities and traditions that we relish here at The Whiskey Porch each autumn -- to savor the natural progression of Autumn:
#3: Smell A couple of drops of high quality essential oils in a simple diffuser or even just in a pot of water simmering slowly on the stove. A couple of my favorites, beyond the obvious cinnamon and such - eucalyptus, balsam fir, helichrisym, and sweet orange. Don't overdo it. A little goes a long way! #4: Herbs Cut your herbs from the garden before the hard frost and hang them to dry. Herbs like bay, dill, lavender, lemon balm, thyme, rosemary, oregano. Use them in recipes over fall and winter or to make hydrosols.
#7: Books Take a sunday morning to put together a yummy reading list for the fall and winter. When it's just too nasty outside, escaping into a wonderful story is a true pleasure. Skip the television or other screen media. Make a pot of tea, grab your favorite socks, turn on some soothing music and pick up your book.
Loose tea is the way to go here. And consider spices and herbs that you might not always associate with tea. My favorite new blend this fall is one with black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and dried orange. #10: Cocoon Relish the chance to slow down and cocoon with your kiddos or pets, partner, or friends. Make a plan for a cozy afternoon soup dinner on a blanket in front of a favorite movie. And enjoy doing less. I wrote a blog about the Nordic concept called 'Hygge' that fits right in here: It's That Hygge Time of Year.
that are nicely chilled during the summer, and then when it starts to cool off I switch back to my favorite reds for the season. It's well suited to the types of foods we tend eat this time of year, and it's just a richer, more decadent treat. #13: Mindful Autumn is the time to become more mindful about making simple routines in your day or week more special. Think about bedtime, your morning cup of tea (or coffee), your skin care routine (or lack thereof). Anything you do repeatedly can become rote, and dull. But it's really important to find a way to enjoy the little tasks that create a rhythm to your day.
There you have it. Hopefully we were able to get the creative juices flowing. What are some of the things that you love to do to start slowing down this time of year? Please share ideas with us in the comments below! We'd love to hear and might have to add to or tweak our list for next year... Thanks for reading! Peace and contentment, ~Miriam
2 Comments
Beth
9/21/2023 08:55:53 am
I️ love how these ideas engage nearly every sense in a quest to intentionally embrace this magical season! I’ll do most of these suggestions…will add making soup and listening to comforting music to my efforts to feel the coziness of autumn 🍂
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Sara
9/21/2023 09:43:31 am
We are excited to spend our first fall in Prescott Valley and these tips will help us embrace our new surroundings. Look forward to meeting you at the Vintage Fair.
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AuthorHey there. I'm Miriam ~ and I've been doing this my whole life. It's my passion. Categories
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