We all have certain traditions we take part in each autumn: going to the pumpkin patch, making pumpkin bread, drinking apple cider, and more. Yet, as the fall season comes to a close each year, I, along with many others, sometimes feel that I haven’t truly experienced the season. I would say that fall is my favorite season, and I spend months looking forward to it each year. However, I think we miss out by getting overwhelmed by all we want to do or getting distracted by the craziness of life. As the fall season is wrapping up, I want to share some ways that you can enjoy the last bits of this beautiful time of year before it fades into winter.
Spend some time cooking and baking
A big goal of mine is to improve my cooking and baking skills, and fall is the perfect time to do so. I’m especially motivated to whip up some foods fit for the season as I have more relaxed evenings. If you are also looking for some autumn recipes, here are three that are truly delicious and simple enough for anyone to try.
Shepherd's pie has been my favorite fall recipe for years, and I love making it with my mom. If you’re looking for a meal to bring to a potluck, make for your family, or cook for Thanksgiving day, shepherd's pie is definitely the way to go. It’s easier than it seems, and seriously delicious.
In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of the fall season is finding and baking the perfect pumpkin recipe. These pumpkin crumb cake muffins combine a crumb cake with a classic pumpkin muffin and they bake up in less than an hour! You can cherish the fall by spending an evening listening to calm music, watching “Gilmore Girls,” and making this cozy baked good.
3. Apple Cider
My friend’s mom makes the best apple cider, and her recipe is incredibly simple. You can follow this recipe to quickly bring in all the autumn vibes; then cozy up with a good movie and fresh homemade cider.
What you need:
Apple juice
5 sticks of cinnamon
2-3 shakes of allspice
Cloves
An orange, sliced
Mix everything together in a pot, bring to a simmer, and serve warm! It’s that easy.
Make ordinary moments feel cozy
It can feel overwhelming to schedule all the fall activities that you want to do. However, I believe that you can embrace fall simply by elevating everyday moments of your life with an autumnal twist. Studying for hours after school? Tidy up your room, light a fall candle, and listen to jazz music while you get your work done. Running errands all day? Listen to a fall podcast or playlist, sip on a fall-flavored drink, and wear your favorite sweater. You don’t need to spend an entire day at the pumpkin patch or a corn maze to enjoy autumn!
Embrace rest
Fall and winter are seasons when many of us crave more rest and slower days. It can be hard to find time to truly relax, but I encourage you to cut out unnecessary burdens in your life in order to steal a bit of time each day to rest. For me, evenings are the best time of day, as they allow me to finally unwind. As fall wanes, find time to curl up with a book or your favorite comfort movie, drink some warm tea (or apple cider), and don’t worry about your to-do list.
Sources:
Finks, A, ( August,2019). The Best Classic Shepherd's Pie. The Wholesome Dish. Retrieved October , 2023
McKenney, S, ( July,2022). Pumpkin Crumb Cake Muffins. Sally's Baking Addiction. Retrieved October , 2023 from https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/pumpkin-crumb-cake-muffins/
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