Fall Favourites
Stately stone walls clothed in their autumn finery
Nature’s colour extravaganza, when the leaves on trees turn from green to brilliant orange, red and yellow, is not only a glorious sight, but a sign to get cosy in preparation for the chill of winter.
We express cosiness in so many ways: hand knit sweaters, layers of clothing, warmer colours in our table settings, curling up on the couch with a good book or to watch an engrossing tv show.
Here’s my round up of what I’m loving for fall.
Mystery, atmosphere and character development abound in this book set in a fictional Oxford institution.
My current reading is taking me to far-off places. The Martin Cruz Smith series featuring the investigator Arkady Renko, is set in post-Soviet Russia. From there I jump to Oxford University in England and the novel Babel, written by R.F. Kuang. Then it’s back across the Channel to Italy and Chirù by Michela Murgia. I’m reading it in the original Italian which is great practice to keep up my language skills!
The television viewing area is located in the lower level where it’s cool, and a cosy blanket is always at hand. I’m excited for the new season of The Diplomat, and am avidly watching Season 5 of Slow Horses with Gary Oldman and Season 4 of The Morning Show which reunites stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
Cuddle up on the couch and enjoy the fall bounty of new programs
The autumn food scene for me means apples, the crisper and juicier the better. Homemade apple pie will definitely be on the menu, as will a return to soups, stews and squash of all sorts.
A colourful fall salad featuring roasted sweet potato, feta, arugula and pomegranate seeds
Hiking in the fall is spectacular. I love the cooler temperatures, the bluer than blue sky, the camaraderie on the trail. I recently had a chance to try out my new waterproof boots from Altra and am happy to report that that after 19,000 steps I was blister free!
Fall Knitting Inspiration - for me and for a little one
As the days get shorter, we spend more time indoors. What could be cosier than knitting a new sweater while listening to to an audiobook (suggestions above, but I also loved The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt)? At the moment I’m working on a grey cashmere button front sweater vest from Petite Knit, but found inspiration for the next project while I was shopping in San Francisco.
It’s so fun to re-invent your wardrobe after a summer of cotton skirts and dresses. I tend to swap out my closet way too early - we’ve had a super warm September. But I do enjoy getting creative in the fall with layers, scarves and other accessories.
Checking out fall woollens in a local shop
What are your favourite fall rituals? Wishing everyone a warm, colourful autumn season.
