Preparing for a Glorious Autumn Weekend

It’s finally autumn here in Seattle. It makes me so happy to drive home past this row of gorgeous colorful trees. I tried to take as many photos as possible this week before an inevitable windstorm comes to blow the leaves away.

Today I’m preparing my home for the autumn weekend ahead. It’s going to be a busy one for me – dinner at a waterfront seafood restaurant tonight with my boyfriend (it’s our Date Night); a friend’s son’s bar mitzvah on Saturday that will take up the whole day and much of the evening; and a day of chores and errands on Sunday. (We need to pick up dog food, my boyfriend will attempt to repair my dishwasher, I’ll bake him lasagna and a pie to say thanks, we’ll take the dogs to the dog park for exercise and socialization, and I’ll have a mountain of laundry to do!)

What do you do on Fridays to prepare your home for the weekend? Even if you don’t work at home like me (I’m able to dash downstairs and quickly do some chores on my lunch break) what are some things you do in the morning before you leave or after work or dinner in the evening?

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

Empty trash cans throughout the house
Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters and mirrors
Refresh bathroom hand towels and toilet paper supplies
Sweep front porch and entryway as needed
Remove dead flowers in vases if any; replace with fresh if you can
Fill your car with gas for the weekend and stop by an ATM for cash on the way home tonight if you have time
Remove any clutter from mail table, coffee table, dining table, breakfast nook, stairs

I find myself walking my dogs more often when there are such lovely autumn colors to look at on our way past!

TODAY’S PROJECT: Savoring Autumn

Whenever I find myself mourning the end of summer, with its outdoor activities, sunshine, light evenings and opportunities to dine outside, I make an effort to appreciate autumn and the pleasures it affords. I’m working on my attitude and I do love autumn, I’m just dreading the long dark chilly rainy nights ahead. So I prod myself to enjoy autumn activities, scents, tastes and opportunities whenever possible.

What can you do tonight to celebrate autumn and embrace the season?

Here are some of my suggestions and some of the things I’ll choose to do tonight when we get back from dinner.

Soak in your outdoor hot tub if you have one – even if it’s raining!
Brew a couple cups of your favorite seasonal hot tea, using your fancy teapot and a favorite porcelain cup.
Decorate your home for Autumn or Halloween tonight
Make a tasty cocktail with autumn flavors, and savor it
Binge-watch a few episodes on Netflix while cuddled up in fuzzy socks and a microplush throw blanket
Dive into a book in front of your fireplace and enjoy reading for a few hours
Bake some autumn treats: Pumpkin quickbread? Gingerbread spice cake? Pumpkin cookies?
Put on some seasonal music that makes you think of fall (for me it’s Stevie Nicks or Loreena McKennitt)
Write in your journal about your plans for the season ahead
Browse the Internet looking for upcoming seasonal activities (pumpkin patches, haunted houses, upcoming movies and plays, Zoo lights, botanical gardens with winter displays, art exhibits, museum exhibitions, etc) to add to your calendar

LOVELY BLOGS: The Anthony Kitchen

Kelly Anthony shares comfort food recipes from her home in Texas.

Her recipe categories include dinner, Southern side dishes, Breakfast and brunch, and my favorite, “healthy-ish comfort food.”

There’s also a section on her site with tips and recipes for entertaining at home. You’ll probably want to explore her category for Best Homemade Desserts too!

If you’re getting into your kitchen this weekend to bake up some Halloween treats, stop by her Halloween recipe archive as well. Here you’ll see her recipes for Halloween Monster Meatballs, Chocolate Cyclops Cookies, and Halloween Brownies.

https://www.theanthonykitchen.com/

LOVELY BEVERAGES: Ceremonie Tea

Those of you who have been reading Lovely Living over the years may remember that I strive to finish all my Christmas shopping by December first. That means I’m busy shopping this fall, open to purchasing lovely things when I run across them and have someone in mind who might enjoy them.

I haven’t tasted any of this Ceremonie tea yet but I’m intrigued by the packaging. This might make the perfect gift for someone you don’t know well but can confirm they like tea. Perhaps a stepmother, co-worker, business associate or a busy hostess you know who entertains frequently. Or if I were hosting a large party again this autumn, I’d be tempted to pass this box around at the end of the evening, with everyone’s individual teacups of hot water.

The tea flavors in this sampler include Sencha Green Tea, Wild Berry, Lemongrass & Verbena and Peppermint.

Ceremonie Tea Gift Sampler, on Amazon

LOVELY BOOKS: Cooking in Season

I’m trying to get into the kitchen and cook more. WAY more. My boyfriend and I could both stand to lose 15-20 pounds, and regardless of any weight loss, we need to eat healthier. It’s hard to resist the siren call of a restaurant filled with friends, or a quiet meal at our favorite Chinese restaurant after a long hard workday. I am forcing myself to not buy any new cookbooks, using the ones I’ve already purchased to inspire me to cook more at-home meals.

“Cooking in Season” presents one hundred recipes for “eating fresh.” The Autumn chapter includes recipes for Honeyed Fig, Blue Cheese & Walnut Crostini with Honey; Chopped Chard Salad with Wheat Berries, Persimmon & Pepitas; Cider-Braised Chicken with Acorn Squash Ragout; Apple Fritters with Cardamom Cream. Those sound so delicious (except for the chicken since I’m a vegetarian!)

I’m a big fan of Williams-Sonoma cookbooks already, since they’re beautifully photographed and have well-designed recipes and not-too-complicated steps. I have to admit though, I’m not rushing home on a workday and creating “honeyed fig crostini.” I’m looking for recipes I can mostly make ahead of time.

Buy Cooking in Season at Amazon.com

LOVELY HOME DECOR: Figural Autumn Candles

I just splurged on both of these fall candles when I “accidentally” walked into Williams-Sonoma last week, minding my own business. I love the scents – the perfect amount of apple and pumpkin, but not overwhelming. Once they original paraffin and palm wax candle has burned down, I can fill these with votives and re-use them forever. Love the way they look on my mantel!

Figural Autumn Candles, at Williams-Sonoma

LOVELY SHOPS: Mini Fanaberia

This Etsy shop is so fun to browse – even though I don’t currently have a dollhouse! The shop, based in Poland, offers darling kitchen-themed miniatures in the 1:12 scale. Many of the items are retro-inspired. I might be tempted to pick up a couple for some small holiday vignettes or shadow boxes, since I’m not ready or willing to commit to owning a space-hogging dollhouse.

There’s also a Holiday section where you can buy teeny tiny baking pans, wrapped gifts and miniature Christmas lanterns. So cute! Hope you enjoy looking around.

Mini Fanaberina, on Etsy

LOVELY TELEVISION: Barefoot Contessa “Cook Like a Pro”

I’ve learned so much about cooking, and enjoyed so many recipes from Barefoot Contessa’s cooking shows. This fall I’m watching Ina Garten’s new season (season 15) of “Cook Like a Pro.” Episodes include “Salads for Four Seasons,” “Make-Ahead Thanksgiving,” “Cocktail Party Rules,” “Good Ingredients” and “Easy High Low.”

I generally watch each episode twice (except for the really meat-centric ones like “Beefed Up”) before creating my grocery list and shopping for items I’ll need to make the dishes she’s shown me. It’s definitely helped up my “cooking game” and lowered my laziness!

New episodes can be seen on Sunday nights on the Food Network.

Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro on Food Network

Barefoot Contessa’s Cook Like a Pro Cookbook

Cook Like a Pro Review at Eater.com