Feel-Good Fall Favorites
It’s always sad to see Summer come to an end, but the start of Fall definitely helps to alleviate the pain. There is something about this season that is uplifting and inspiring. Could it be the memories that come along with smelling your favorite fall scented candle, drinking hot toddies around the bonfire with loved ones, watching the leaves change colors, or all of the above?! Read on to see why this time of year is such a feel-good season!
Nostalgia is everywhere
We revisit all those nostalgic memories that make this time of year so special. Many of grew up thinking of fall as cozy/warming scents, of seasonal candles or family recipes, cooler weather, Sunday football, classic Halloween movies from your childhood, and other fall traditions or memories that stick with us.
A new season, means time for a refresh!
Whether a fall refresh means seeking out seasonal decor, packing away summer items, Fall cleaning, selling/donating stuff (mainly to make room for more decor)…go all out! For me, it means time to clean and restock my kitchen to prepare for holiday baking. Changing the theme of your bar cart can also be made into a fun activity to look forward to each season. You can also spice up your outdoor spaces; A friend of mine, who has the best eye for decorating, created this seasonal display on her front porch that’ll make you want to run to a nursery to recreate it on your own porch.
Seasonal flavors of comfort food classics
I may be slightly biased, but there aren’t many things better than a fresh, in-season recipe! There are countless fall recipes that feature seasonal ingredients such as apples, pumpkins, squash, cinnamon, cranberries, and the list goes on. Get your butt in the kitchen and taste the flavors of Fall!
Outdoor Fall Festivities
Apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes, oh my! Sweater weather is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like apple picking, tailgating, or maneuvering through a corn maze. Call up your friends, family, or whoever your partner in crime is to do all the fall things with!
Stay warm even when the temps cooL down
The best part about temperatures getting cooler is that there are so many autumn things to help warm us up! Warm seasonal spiced cocktails, mulled wine, and bonfires just to name a few.
Fall foliage
This is a big reason people fall in love with this time of year. Us Minnesotans are given a glimpse of how beautiful our state can actually be before turning dark, cold, and grey for half the year (at least that’s what it feels like anyway). The temperatures are ideal to enjoy the fall foliage by foot or bike, but opt for a driving trip or a train for a scenic ride. If you’re located in Minnesota, check out this Fall Color Finder to follow the foliage at it’s peak!
Excitement for the holiday season ahead
You know what else Fall means? Holiday season is right around the corner! Not to fast forward through this season, but a big reason people love Autumn so much is because we have the magic of the holidays to look forward to. The thought of family time, holiday parties, winter activities, and other traditions help me to be grateful and present with where I’m at now, having so much excitement on the horizon. (Not to mention I’m going to become an aunt this December, which makes it even more magical!)
Wine harvest
Clearly this list isn’t in order, otherwise this one would be a lot higher up on the list of importance. Just kidding, but harvest season for wine grapes is a big deal! These grapes have been growing and ripening all Spring and Summer, just in time to be at their preferred sugar levels for picking in the Fall. This teaches us how to be patient and appreciate a fruitful result…and a nice bottle of wine! The vines full of grapes don’t make for the worst Autumn photo backdrop either. Some of my favorite local vineyards to visit in the Fall are listed below.
It helps us appreciate change
Many people are hesitant when it comes to change, however that is usually not the case when this new season rolls around. Even though summer is ending and kids are heading back to school, most of us are ready to welcome fall with open arms! We can see the beauty and transformation in the change of seasons. When we see what can come of it, it can motivate us to embrace change in our everyday lives. All of this makes it easy to see why so many of us are falling for this season.