4 Fall Ideas to Bring the Season Indoors

 

With the transition of summer to fall, it’s the time of year I love to savor since it is so fleeting and so beautiful. I wanted to share some of the things I enjoy to bring fall into Fox Cottage. When I think of fall, it brings to mind certain scents, colors, textures and just an over all cozy feeling as the air starts to turn to that cooler, crisp weather. My go to fall fixes are:

• Decorating with nature. Think pumpkins, gourds, flowers, twigs and leaves.
• Candle light. Bringing in a nice warm glow.
• Scent. Fall scents with candles, cooking and a fall simmer pot of natural fruits and spices that I will share with yo.u
• Food. I love to switch the summer menu to fall with warming soups and stews, roasted veggies and other comfort food.
• Sound. Music that helps reflect a fall state of mind are always playing in our house. Here is a link to our Spotify Autumn playlist.

Nature.

When planning our garden in the early spring, I always plan the garden around what I will be using the plants for. Some are of course edible and culinary while others are for pure enjoyment. I usually think ahead to fall at that time to plan for what crops we will be wanting like pumpkins and winter squashes, mums and marigolds to be used in fall displays.

If you don’t have a garden, finding items in nature to bring inside to add a seasonal touch is easy enough. Nature walks and hikes are a great way to find leaves, branches and other items to bring the season inside. If you’re not much for hiking getting flowers from the florist pumpkins and gourds from the produce section are good options. Wherever you are able to find elements of nature, bring them in for an inexpensive way to decorate.

Candle Light.

In the summer I tend to burn less candle light since it stays light for so long and we spend so much time outdoors. Once fall turns, it is nice to warm things up with scented candles, and candle light is flattering for everyone!  Candle making is a fun crafty activity to custom make your own candles. You can make moulds of your own or find great silicone moulds to get a very specific look for fall such as corn candles.

We will be posting a crafty how to on candle making here on the blog in the future, so stay tuned! Our goal is to have a craft night once a month (sounds easy!) and to share the crafts we make here on the blog.

Scent.

I am a big fan of adding fragrance to scent our cottage. It sure beats the smell of stinky kid feet and dog breath! haha! Even to mask all the many smells that come with a house full of people and pets, fragrance just adds a magical touch in a very personal way. Like sound and light, scent is another sense that we can awaken with our own personal expression. Ever go out of town and come home and smell your home like it was the first time you have ever set foot into it? Scent can evoke a mood and is very powerful in helping to conjure memories. Here is a recipe with some gathered spices for a cozy fall feeling with a worldly touch with the inclusion of cardamom and star anise. Experiment with what blends you enjoy to customize one that will bring you back to this time of year. The possibilities are endless.

Bohemian Simmer Pot:

1/4 cup of green cardamom pods

1/4 cup star anise

3 cinnamon sticks

1 orange sliced

a few drops of pure vanilla extract or vanilla beans whole

a heaping tablespoon of fresh ginger root

Optional: (I experimented with these)

3 tbsp. of pure maple syrup

3 tbsp. of blood orange infused olive oil

4 cups water

Place all the ingredients in a small simmer pot on low or regular pot on low on the stove and let simmer. I had mine going all day. You can store it in a glass jar for reuse up to a week or so.

 

Food. Of course food. When eating seasonally it is a given that the meals we prepare will reflect the changing seasons too. Early fall there is still much to eat out of the garden, especially kale, chard, squash and tomatoes. I happened to use fresh garden tomatoes and squash in this chili recipe. Warm, hearty soups, stews, roasted veggies and slow cooked comfort foods are perfect for the fall weather. These bread bowls were at the bakery section of our grocery store, and the chili is easy and simple, great for busy weekdays when time and energy can sometimes be in short supply.

Here is the recipe for Chili with Golden Zucchini:

4 small round shepard bread loaves

1 cup golden zucchini chopped into very small cubes

1 onion diced

1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes or 1 can of roasted chopped tomatoes

1 can of kidney beans

1 can of chili beans

1 pound of lean ground beef

Spices:

4 tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. cayenne pepper or chipotle pepper

2 tsp. paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnishes:

Shredded cheddar cheese

Chopped fresh onion

Sour cream

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, tomatoes and squash and cook for another 5 minutes, turning heat down to medium. Mix in spices stirring to blend well. Add beans, stirring to blend all ingredients well. When the beans are heated through serve in hollowed out bread bowls. Serves 4.

 

I hope you are as inspired by the changing fall weather, colors and these ideas to bring the season indoors as much as I am. I would love to hear about your custom scent blends, favorite soup or stew recipes and your favorite ways that you bring fall into your home.

Till next time, stay creative and be inspired!

 

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