Get Cosy
Our surroundings have a huge impact on our well-being and updating our surroundings to support our needs at this time of year can be really important and especially this year in the UK when we are constantly hearing of the risk of power cuts due to gas shortages. The days are shorter and darker, and as I'm writing this the rain is lashing off the window and the wind is howling and it's easy to wish away the next few months dreaming of summer and holidays in the sun, but for me Autumn is the best time of year.
I love to do an "Autumn Clean". its just like a spring clean , when you clean and open all the windows, bring flowers and sunlight into the house after the long dark winter and t's that time after the Christmas tree comes down and suddenly you realise how big the room is. An Autumn clean is exactly the same. Cleaning the windows and rearranging the blinds and curtains to make the most of the light. Tidy the clutter that has built up and change some things out to make room for twinkling candles. Bring in some scented pine cones or make an arrangement of branches and autumn leaves rather than flowers. Hang a cosy blanket over the arm of the chair so that its there if you feel cold. Have a look through your wardrobe and pull all of the cosy jumpers and woolly socks to the front and make sure your hat gloves and scarf are hanging by the door to remind you to put them on. Stock the bathroom with bombs and bubbles and candles, for those warming baths or showers if you get caught out, and the kitchen with hot chocolate, marshmallows and a tin of scooshy cream in the fridge and some of your favorite biscuits or cookies.
Embrace Colder Months
Now with all that in place your ready to choose one of those books you wanted to read or that movie you wanted to watch, or maybe its drawing, painting, journalling or knitting, or is there something you've always wanted to try but life is just too busy?
Have friends round for some warming drinks and nice cake and a chat, or if its dry get the BBQ or fire pit on, wrap up warm and make potatoes or burgers under the twinkle lights in the garden.
Check the weather and dress for it, get those designer welly boots out and go for a walk. Park and walk through the park to a cafe, take your book and find a cafe with comfy chairs to relax with your drink and a book for a hour of peace on your own, or with friends.
Start a reading circle, every body choose a book to add to the reading list that meet up in a cafe weekly to discuss and review it over a warm drink, or maybe a glass of something else.
Try an adventure, go wild swimming, try the Whim Hoff method, the water was at its warmest in September and takes ages to get really cold. Get your camera out or even just your phone and start snapping the changing colours, fungi in the park, the misty mornings on your way to work or try to capture the frosted branches sparkling in the sun.
Seasonal Menu
Think about eating seasonally, out go the salads and picnic food and bring in the winter warmers. Hearty soups and broths with thick soda bread or a scone. My favorite is thick lentil soup made with a ham shank and a sandwich made with toasted bead and some of the meat and brown sauce, or a creamy mushroom and Stilton. This year I used pumpkin from my allotment to make spicy roasted pumpkin and Chorizo, I think it's my new favorite.
Roast potatoes and root veg with an oozy pie of your choice with a glorious pastry soaked in gravy. My autumn favorites are usually Stovies (a hash made with lorn sausage, onions, potatoes and plenty of pepper), or Haggis with neeps and tatties, both peppery and warming and maybe some chicken breast stuffed with leftover haggis the next day. I could easily be vegetarian all summer long, I only have meat because I'm cooking it for others but in Autumn and Winter I'd miss these things. What do you eat at home, how does your menu change in the colder months or does it change at all.
Find your own favorite rituals to make the colder months right for you, after all we can't avoid it so we may as well embrace it.
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