Enjoying Autumn Fully

I'm giving myself a stern talking to this week. The time change bothers me (I wish we could leave things well enough alone) and I'm sad that it's so dark in the morning when we wake up and already so dark when we come home from work. I do love all seasons though, and I'm reminding myself all the lovely things about autumn (fires in the fireplace, wonderful new books to read and quiet evenings to read them in, leafy walks with the dogs). If I spend too much time mourning summer, I'll make myself miserable instead of enjoying the opportunities autumn presents to me now.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

Do any mid-week laundry
Need to eat up leftovers from Monday and Tuesday?
Have you carved out a little bit of time for yourself tonight if possible? Some quiet time with a book or magazine, extra time in a hot bath, time to do something creative like write or sketch?
Clear off three or four misplaced items from coffee table, mail table, stairs, dining table, breakfast nook etc. as needed

TODAY’S PROJECT: Planning Autumn

Boston International Turkey Wreath, at Bed Bath & Beyond

Today I’m looking ahead at the rest of my autumn: making choices, planning, setting goals, and trying to keep my life in balance. I’m setting up appointments for my hair, for massages, my doctor and dentist appointments, checkups for my dogs, and a service for my car. I’ve already got my November trip planned (we’re going to my father’s 75th birthday party. I’m also planning the parties, concerts, cooking classes and events I’ll go to this autumn. It’s a good idea to look over my budget and set goals for reining in spending, too.

I don’t want to plan everything – spontaneity makes life fun! I’ll try hard to leave a couple nights open each week for either chilling out at home, or being able to accept last-minute invitations for fun things.

What fun things, parties, events, and social meetings does your autumn hold? What might you like to plan, given time and budget constraints? Are you hosting any parties (even simple soup-and-salad dinners?) at your home before Thanksgiving?

I’m also planning my fall wardrobe sorting, homemaking schedule, provisioning and food purchases, tea and firewood acquisition, and other things to help maximize my comfort and enjoyment of life this autumn!

What are some of your plans this autumn? Let me know in the comments section below!

LOVELY BLOGS: Vanilla and Bean

This blog specializes in vegetarian recipes, so I’ve been turning to it a lot lately (though I do cook meat for my boyfriend at almost every meal). Traci is also gluten-free. She blogs from Washington State, in a town a couple hours away from me. Lately she’s been writing about pumpkin recipes (puree, butter, seeds, etc).

Check out her Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe archives for sides, snacks and desserts. (I’m going to try her Cottage Pie recipe soon).

https://vanillaandbean.com/

LOVELY BOOKS: The Year of Less

This really isn’t my personal kind of book – I love shopping too much! But for my friends who are trying to stop accumulating and acquiring things, shop less and live with less, it might be an inspiring read. (Get it from the library instead of buying it; or buy it and pass it on from friend to friend to get a lot of use out of it!)

The author, Cait Flanders, writes about “How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store.” She shares about how she got herself out of debt, learned to fix things instead of throwing them away, and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings. I’m sure if I read at least the chapter on downsizing belongings, it would be very good for my soul and a good life lesson for me.

The Year of Less Book, on Amazon

LOVELY FOOD: Moonstruck Chocolates’ Amanita Mushroom Collection

Finally, some amanita mushrooms you can eat that won’t kill you! While I find it very weird that this respectable renowned chocolate company misspelled Amanita on their packaging, I also find this collection adorable and a bit quirky. I suspect I’ll be picking up a box or two as hostess gifts for friends this Thanksgiving season.

http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/product/amanita-collection/fall-gifts

LOVELY HOME ORGANIZATION: Mini Stockholm Suitcases

Mini Stockholm Suitcases, at The Container Store

I use these cute cardboard boxes to store things like jewelry in my bedroom, travel size toothpaste and toothbrushes in my guest bathroom, and paperclips, stamps, etcetera in my home office. I own every color except the (boring) navy one!

LOVELY SHOPS: Aryellys Wooden House Puzzles

I came across these darling wooden puzzles this week, and already ordered several to put together with my nieces and nephews on an upcoming lazy rainy Sunday. The puzzles come on a flat board, already perforated so the pieces are easy to punch out. The instructions are a bit confusing (like many annoying instruction books, they come in black and white instead of color) but the houses aren’t too difficult to figure out.

The collection includes small charming cottages like this one pictured, French cafes, more complicated villas, a wizard hut, a Dutch house with a windmill, and several other cute shops. You could easily build a whole tabletop village for kids to play with. I love the soft cheerful colors on these. Hope you enjoy browsing the collection!

Aryellys Puzzle Shop, on Etsy

Aryellys Puzzle Shop on Amazon

LOVELY TV: Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas 2019

I’m certain I’m not alone here in being perhaps a bit too eager (and might I say addicted?) to sappy Christmas romance movies. I’m setting my TIVO to record several of Hallmark Channel’s new-for-2019 Christmas movies. This website gives photos and summaries for each of Hallmark Channel’s new Christmas 2019 movies.

I’m using this website to help me pick one or two intriguing festive movies to invite a couple girl friends over in their pajamas to watch together, with hot cocoa and wine by the fireplace.

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas