“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” —Jim Bishop

Last Sunday, on the near eve of the transition from summer to fall, the newspapers included the list of new seasons in their particular field: broadway, film, exhibits, television, and music. The annual roll-out of the fall entertainment and arts season is something I look forward to each year. Because even though September is not the beginning of the chronological year, it tends to be the beginning of the most luxurious time of year. Studios save their Oscar-hopeful films and publishers their top-tier author book releases for the fall season.

So it is with anticipation that I write the dates down of all the releases that catch my eye so that I too can enjoy what more often than not turns out to be worth the wait.

And while the arts capture my attention, there is no need for us to wait for grand occasions to savor this most wonderful of seasons and all its riches. Today I’d like to share with you activities and items to put on your schedule and welcome into your home so that you can savor fall and all of its riches every year it arrives.

1. Stock your kitchen with a classic, beautiful dutch oven.

For soups, for risotto, for delicious meat dishes and main dishes, add a dutch oven that not only functions phenomenally, but looks beautiful adorning your stovetop (whether in use or not). A couple of years ago I purchased my first Le Creuset dutch oven and it continues to be one of the most worthwhile investments I have made when it comes to cooking. It’s sturdy, it cooks food evenly and is a lifetime purchase, so choose a color (there are many) you love.

2. Pick up a few chrysanthemums

The temperatures are cooling and your outdoor pots probably need a bit of sprucing up. Pick a a few chrysanthemums in your preferred color and add a touch of fall jewel-tones to your front or back porch.

3. Pumpkins!

Whether you place a few on your porch, pile an arrangement on your mantle, place a variety of colors in a wooden bowl as a centerpiece or fill your fireplace, pumpkins announce the arrival of fall.

4. Shop at the local farmers’ markets to savor fall produce

I recently discovered Lyra Press and fell in love with their Les Fruits et Légumes de Saison art print (below). Not only it is a beautiful, simple piece of wall décor, but it is a reminder of what to look for each season to ensure the most flavor and value. From tarte aux pommes to fresh tomato sauce and squash galore, fall produce is hearty, delicious and full of options for snacks or a meal.

~images below from the recent local Bend farmer’s market~

5. Speaking of seasonal food and recipes, why not try Victoria magazine’s Pumpkin Brioche loaf?

While not available on-line, you can find it in their latest issue, October 2016 (or click on the link above). I am eager to give it a go in my kitchen and will be sure to let you know how it goes.

6. Transition to using a fall capsule menu

With the fall season’s arrival and having stopped by the local market, why not transition your weekly meal schedule as well? The good news is, I have done some of the work for you by mapping out a weekly fall capsule menu that incorporates more fall vegetables and produce into your regular weekly routine. Click here to have a look.

7. Take a walk with the changing colors

The air is crisper, the days are cooler, and while they are shorter as well, it is all the more reason to get outside and soak in the sun and the beauty before the combination of setting or rising suns shining through the golden and rust hued leaves is no longer available to be enjoyed before we must wait for another year to pass.

8. Pull out your favorite cozy sweater and wear as your coat of choice

If you don’t have a cozy sweater (I preferred oversized styles), there is a wonderful winter white honeycomb (mini cablenet) wool/yak crewneck sweater from Vince that looks absolutely cozy and perfect for fall. Below are a few more cozy sweaters that while investment items, will last for many seasons to come:

9. Add Frank Sinatra’s “Autumn in New York” on your playlist or Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald’s version 

Fall truly does feel as though we are being invited to savor the present moment even more. As Lauren DeStefano describes it, “The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” I encourage you to step into the new season with an appreciation that exceeds perhaps what you’ve done in the past, but all the while keeping it simple. Spend a few more minutes in the kitchen producing those scents that epitomize fall, step outside one more day a week to turn your face to the sky and soak in the air that is neither too cold or too warm and remember to tip your hat to the farmers (perhaps you are one of them) for sharing with us their bounty because before long it will be winter and we will be impatiently waiting for the markets to open again in the spring.

Have a lovely season!

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~10 Things I Love About Fall

~Why Not . . . Decorate for Autumn?

Petit Plaisir

~Bridget Jones’s Baby (in theaters now)

~book by Helen Fielding to be released October 11th

~the soundtrack, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and more (it’s lovely!)

Image: source

 

 

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #123