I had intended this blog post to be based on the book I have been reading; Snoop. It is such an insightful exploration into what the stuff in our homes says about us. But I will save it for another time. Because when I sat down to write to you, warmed by a generous sliver of low sun, the light from the beech trees in the garden began to dance on my toes and asked me to change my mind.
Autumn is at her finest on days like these. Some of us were loath to let go of summer, but there is so much to be grateful for in Autumn (if we ignore the ploppy rain).
A small boys conker stash
To cultivate a properly soulful home, we have to wholeheartedly embrace the seasons and what they bestow upon us. It seems a bit daft to work against nature. Who’s going to win? I struggled to say ‘goodbye to the summer’ (as Jason Donovan sort of once sang) but there is a lovely balance to be felt by going with it.
The clocks have gone back. We are losing the light in the evenings to gain light in the mornings. All good for the farmers, less good for the after-school activities and evening dog walks. But after dark comes the twinkling lights of your neighbours and the smell of wood smoke in the air. The shroud of early darkness makes that step through your front door all the more sweet.
The joy of home
So here are some thoughts on how you can very simply and practically bring the bounty of Autumn through your door and feel the pleasing harmony that comes with it. This is the season to turn in. To gather and harvest and enjoy time spent at home with your family.
Get the light right
It’s all about the light at this time of the year. Soaking it up and throwing those curtains wide in the morning and using warm shadow-throwing light to cosy up your home in the evening.
Our circadian rhythms are affected by how much light enters our eyes. So, although it may be tempting to keep the blinds down on that blustery morning, opening them quick sharp after waking does us good.
And at the other end of the day, the melatonin which helps us to sleep is triggered by the dimming of the light. Use warm bulbs and keep the light low with side lamps in the evening. Get the fairy lights out early. I chuck wire ones in the fireplace to make it glow when we don’t want to light the fire.
Daylight desk
Share your home with someone who loves the main light on? The lure of better sleep might be a good incentive to get them to switch it off. It is also a good reason to burn candles! In this department, I need no convincing! There is something so deeply comforting about a flickering flame (unless that flickering candle flame inexplicably hops out of the holder and lands on your dinner guests lap. True story of 2019.) Try earthy and warming scents like pumpkin, spices, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla and apple.
And consider keeping your mobile far far away from your bedroom. If you find it tricky, create your own time embargo and then lock them away in the kitchen. A friend of mine uses a lockable petty cash tin. You don’t need your phone to wake you. Go old school and invest in a beautiful alarm clock. Blue light is not Melatonins friend.
HARVEST & MAKE
There is something about autumn that sets creativity levels souring. Whether its cooking up a stewy storm or Picassoing a pumpkin. Perhaps it is because of the bounty available in nature and our innate need to preserve and prepare for winter.
You can’t swing a cat (and nor should you ever) for the wreaths and pumpkins on social media. So here is my two penneth;
Rustic wreath
A foraged (from the garden) rustic, imperfect, just for you not for show, pull it together in half an hour version. Find the how to on my Instagram Stories. Go forage and get creative with what you find. Fallen branches (extra points for leaves still intact) look surprisingly good in a vase.
And when it comes to carving your pumpkin this week, enjoy it for what it is. One of those few moments where everyone gets to be creative without fear of judgement. Although ours was clearly so bad a few years back some rampaging trick or treaters stomped it flat!
If carving isn’t your thing, spray it! Gold is always good (get the flesh out first though if you want to eat it. Gilded pumpkin soup is not great!) Anything goes and all DIY stores sell Plastikote spray paint.
And if you do carve, may I recommend using a drill to draw your design for a bit of fun. It saves a load of time and the joy it yields from spinning through the soft flesh is unbeatable!
Gather
Nature supplies us with the ingredients for hearty stews, curries and soups in the Autumn. Easy to make in big quantities and perfect for sharing. It is a great time of year to invite friends over. The joy of a one pot is that it sets the expectation of an easy-going affair. There is so much less faff and prep which means more time for you to spend in the moment with your guests.
Here is a super simple recipe for a warming the cockles soup I often make for a shared lunch. Sometimes I make it so stand-a-spoon-in-it thick, it is indiscernible. “Is this soup or mush?” asked my boy the last time I served it up, but he had finished it before I answered!
Stand Up Soup Recipe
1 onion
Whatever quantity of garlic you like / can bear
A mug of red lentils rinsed
A few big handfuls of diced squash or carrots
A teaspoon or two of cumin and cinnamon or nutmeg (or ginger if you like, I definitely do not like!)
A litre of veg stock
A can of chopped tomatoes
A pleasingly big squirt of tomato puree*
(*Sorry, went a bit Nigella there)
Fry onion and garlic for a few minutes, then add spices and fry for another minute. Add the squash and continue frying until it’s got a bit of colour. Bung in the lentils, stir then add the liquidy bits, put the lid on and leave for about 40 minutes. Whizz in a blender or eat mushtic style.
Not only are meals simple, but pleasing (looks like I’ve made an effort but it took ten minutes) autumnal table settings can be pulled together in the blink of an eye;
1. Chuck some foraged foliage down the centre of your table or go fake like this one was. You could add little piles of conkers or whatever else you find on the floor (within hygiene boundaries!)
2. Nestle in some tealights – if all else fails ALWAYS nestle in tealights.
3. Make place settings by writing on a leaf or tie a luggage tie around a fallen cluster of acorns.
Easy peasy table setting
Preserve and prepare
Autumn is our transition into winter and we can take our homing cues from nature. As the trees let go, so do we. All that Summer energy we stored is taken inside. When it is proper cold and nippy outside we seek the warmth of togetherness (as well as the thermostat) inside. And just as the animals bed down in their dens and lock away their nibbles under the still warm soil, so we should embrace snuggle up time. It is a great time to re-connect with our families.
Mirror the outside and bring some Autumn colour into your space. Try rusty oranges and mustard yellows. H&M have cheap velvet cushion covers you can use to cover existing cushions. Create a cosy haven with blankets and candles (recurrent theme) and play games. A recent family game we’ve discovered is Sussed https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUSSED
Watch nostalgic movies together. I have noticed several Instagram posts recently asking for family movies that can be watched by all ages. In fact, my small people are indulging in a bit of Home Alone 2 as I write.
It is also a great time for the woo amongst us to pause and reflect. Take a minute with your morning cuppa. Watch the sunlight dancing or the rain drops plopping. Or try a super quick mediation. I use https://insighttimer.com and journal, plan. The C word is a’ coming and now is a great time to get ahead, which in turn means a calmer C word for you.
And to end on a high (brow), Thomas Hardy once wrote;
“The leaves are undressing”
and so are we, into our lounge pants to sit by the fire with our folk.
Happy Autumn.