The other day, during one of my long drives to my new job (read about it here), I noticed a bold, bright, glowing, orange tree amid a long row of green ones. And then as I continued along the turnpike, I saw a few more in shades of gold, orange, and red. Impossible to miss. Summer is over, Fall is here. As the miles passed, my mind began wandering beyond the leaves - the clothes we wear, the foods we crave, and even the scents that fill the air. The changing leaves became a reminder that seasonal transitions touch nearly every part of life, often in ways we don't fully appreciate until we pause to notice them.
The changing season has also shown up in my closet. One morning I reached for a white T-shirt and a cardigan to shield me from the A/C in the office. The next day, I pulled out a creamy cashmere sweater. I love looking at all of those sweaters in the colors of the fall leaves I noticed on my drive. I ran my hand over a few of them - buttery cashmere, fuzzy chenille, scratchy wool, and smooth knits. I can't wait to wear them in the coming weeks! And now that I work from home a few days per week, I bought some loungewear - Game. Changer.
As seasons change, so do our tastes and what's in season. The foods that felt refreshing during summer give way to comfort foods as cooler days arrive. Fresh berries and the amazing treats from Nikki's Custard make room for apples, soups, my mother's risotto, roasted vegetables, warm breads, and hot drinks. I begin planning dinners that feel warming, grounding, and comforting. Who doesn't love a great bowl of chili from the crockpot while watching Sunday football? Go Bills.
Like comforting food, I love the fragrance of fall - fallen leaves, cinnamon, apples, pumpkin spice, bonfires, and wood smoke. I have a collection of candles I swap out - sweet and fruity for warm and earthy. Scents have an incredible ability to transport us to a past memory we haven't thought about in years. Sometimes the changing season isn't first seen or felt. Sometimes it is first inhaled.
What began as a simple observation during a long drive became a reflection on the change of season. When we pause, we can see the leaves changing color, football replaced the baseball diamond on TV, the cozy sweaters calling to be worn, the mac & cheese on the stove, the cinnamon apple candle fragrance filling the house. Pause a moment and take notice. What are you enjoying about the season changing? Would you rather it didn't? What did you notice in this seasonal change that struck you?
Because you deserve more than just a break.
