my Fall Essentials

This is the time of year I wish I could lasso the sun and slowwww time. These precious few autumn days speed by much too quickly, don’t they? Technically each season comes with the same amount of days—about ninety—but fall always gets squeezed on the front-end by a summer who overstays her welcome and on the back-end by the first hard freeze that finishes off the leaves and whatever blooms still hang on the vine.

Before winter comes, let’s talk about fall essentials. Those fall things that make us cozy inside. We probably have a few different things on our lists, but I bet lots of our fall essentials overlap.

Mums, Pansies, and Purple Asters

I love all three flowers in this trio, but right now purple asters are the stars in our backyard garden. American writer Conrad Aiken called asters purple asterisks for autumn. Perfect description!

Harvest

In the delta where I come from, the fields are dressed in rust and brown, dry stalks are ready and waiting for the combine. Cotton fields reflect the clouds above. Papa Creecy said it was the one time of year farmers put money back in their pockets (if they are lucky and the weather gods cooperate). This would be a good time to thank a farmer. They’re tired to the bone right about now.

Football

I’m a fan of high school and college football. Yes, it’s waaaaaay more fun if my team wins. The best part is how it brings people together to eat cheese dip and laugh and cheer with ridiculous optimism week after week after week.

Sweaters and Boots

Like comfort food, sweaters and boots are comfort clothing to me. Especially when the afternoon is crisp but not so cold a coat is needed.

Chili and Stew

Speaking of comfort food, an ideal day to me looks like this: John’s delicious stew simmering on the stove, football on the television, the windows open, the sun shining. Ahhh.

Halloween Candy

In our neighborhood, we have lots of trick-or-treaters. This provides the ideal excuse to grab bags of candy early. Candy corn has two purposes—a decoration and as an evil sugary treat. I know it isn’t healthy. Yes, I eat each corn in three tiny bites according to color sections. Judge if you must.

Pumpkins and Gourds

I’m not the girl who gushes over all things pumpkin spice, but I do love to decorate my porch with pumpkins. My love for pumpkins is no doubt deeply rooted in my childhood days of the Keiser Elementary School carnival and trick-or-treating with my sister.

Turning Leaves and Crisp Cool Nights

These are the perfect days for driving on the Pig Trail or taking a snooze on the sleeping porch.

Corn Dogs and Craft Fairs

Yup. They go together like peas and carrots but are way better.

Apples

Plain, candied, smothered in caramel. Baked in a cake with cinnamon and allspice. Simmering inside a cobbler or beneath a flaky lattice pie crust. Gimme apples.

It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Must.Watch.Every.Year. Who’s with me?

 

What Else?

What did I leave out? Add your must-have essential in the comments.

Carry on, October.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.