Posted by As I think about the upcoming autumn months I am reminded of all the ways we used to prepare for it after my parents moved us to a small farm in New York state. Vegetables were blanched and frozen. Spaghetti sauce made and jarred. (My mom’s was the best. Fact.) Cords and cords of wood chopped and stacked. All the leaves raked up and the garden “put to bed” till spring. Eventually heavy storm windows were heaved into place. My brothers and I provided the free labor for much of this. It wasn’t an option. Everything we did was utilitarian. Part of our survival.
Nowadays at my small house in the temperate San Francisco Bay Area, the outside prep for the cool, wet months is not so dramatic. We clean our gutters and roofs before the rainy season starts and cut back a few plants. Job done!
But. But inside the house I have always liked to make things cozier as the nights grow longer and colder, particularly in our living room. Thicker, warmer afghans are brought out. The mantel and coffee table get layered with more books and interesting bits. And since the nights descend earlier, I definitely have candlelight. When our daughters lived at home it was often one of them who would say “Let’s light some candles.” We were even known to play cards by candlelight at the kitchen table!
The brass beehive candleholders are 70 to 100 years old.
The pure beeswax tapers are from Blue Corn Candles.
(A favorite of mine for over a decade.)
And I’m looking at my soup and bread recipes because nothing says cozy like simmering soup or baking bread. Here’s a simple family favorite from a surprising source!
though we do add a parm cheese rind to it as it cooks and grate parm on top when served.
So I’m working to make things more cozy, but I’ll be honest this time of year brings back more “empty nest” feelings too. I’m trying not to dwell on it. Honestly I know I am fortunate that my daughters live just a few miles up the road and we see them several times a month. In fact we like many of the same TV shows/movies so we are setting up some viewing parties this fall at each others’ abodes, complete with snacks. How fun is that?
I’ll close for now but would love to hear how you prepare for autumn and if you do anything to make your house cozier.
All the best,
Karen
P.S. Here’s a little autumn inspo for your home from my Esty store, Lion and Lamb Vintage …
- MCM stone mosaic and copper candleholders from Israel – $225
- Small Bandes autumn painting – $20
- 1995 artisan-made pottery bowl by Mary Rodes – $48
Or for a little jewelry update, how about a collection of carved butterscotch bakelite bangles for $125?
Hunting for Vintage 