September 22, 2013

Singing the praises of autumn's return


Autumn, it's very name exudes a sense of the poetic beauty that abounds throughout the season. This is a time of abundance and endings, where a bountiful harvest overlaps with the final days of truly warm sunshine for many in the more northerly parts of the world, and countless crispy, crunchy leaves looking as though they've been cast in lustrous metals tumble down as we tuck our sundresses away once more (or at the very least, partner them with opaque tights).

There is no segment of the year that I adore more than autumn - especially the first few weeks, when golden light and the renewed scent of chimney smoke dance in gracious harmony through the days, as dusk grows ever shorter, grinning pumpkins seem to chase away the last few mosquitos of summer, and a certain almost electric magic fills the air.


 photo patterned-frock-1940s_zps31fdb74b.jpg

{Fall means apple picking (be sure to take a style cue from this cute 1940s gal and wear a darling novelty print dress when you do), pumpkin patch trips, generously sized Thanksgiving feasts, ghost stories told around campfires, wool coats, closed toed shoes, and a bevy of other marvelous things we haven't enjoyed for many a long month. Image source.}



Time realizes that it need not rush so any more, much as there is to be done as September wraps up and October - beloved, dear, gorgeous, thrillingly spooky, October - settles in for what, if one is lucky, may be the last snow-free month of the year. Sometimes snow strikes before the witching hour of All Hallows Eve, but not always, and the "will it, won't it?" aspect always holds its own certain familiar appeal.

We know the year is winding down, the lingering spirit of summer's merriment hangs in the air, but we can already foresee the winter holiday season in the very next thought, too. For now though, Santa and his team of reindeer are a good ways off. There's cornucopias, scarecrows, thick slices of pumpkin pie, Halloween costumes, and Remembrance Day poppies to come first.

No matter what is transpiring in my life at the time, year after year, without fail, I feel a sense of childlike giddiness when autumn returns. I smile, trample playfully through freshly raked piles of leaves, and inhale as much of the fragrant air, which seems to contain notes of cinnamon, dried foliage, and freshly chopped wood in every breath.

Fall is always a busy season at our house, containing as it does everything from Canadian Thanksgiving to our wedding anniversary, Halloween to one week in mid-October with three family birthdays, but I wouldn't have it any other way.



{Though it can be an action packed time for us, autumn always seems to come bearing a profusion serenity, the likes of which summer can rarely match, and this calmer pace suits - and sooths - me just fine. Image source.}



I associate this chapter of year with productivity (gone is the relentlessly sweltering heat of summer that can zap one's energy to the point where just getting through the day from morning to night feels like a significant achievement), good company, decorating, planning, and scrumptious slow cooked meals.

It's never easy to part ways with summer (even if its heat can get on one's a little nerves at times), and I know that as soon as we awaken to the first frost of the season, I'll feel a twinge of longing for the dog days that were upon us just a few weeks ago. Right now though, I'm all about autumn and every last joy, possibility, familiar favourite, new adventure, and caramel filled dessert it contains.

The gorgeous, snow-free side of this season tends to be short, and by November, we might as well roll out the welcome mat for Frosty the Snowman, but right here and now it's just beginning and there are weeks left of mild days and a kaleidoscopic colour palette adorning mother nature to savour.

I hope deeply that this autumn is a beautiful one for each of you. I know that 2013 hasn't been the easiest of years for a lot of people, but perhaps this bronze light covered second to last chapter will prove less problematic and stressful for all of us.

Join me, won't you, in raising a steaming mug of hot apple cider to that hope and the thought of every good and wonderful thing that makes up this resplendently lovely season!


15 comments:

  1. Autumn is definitely the most beautiful of seasons. I hope yours is lovely

    kate the old fashioned way

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  2. Best wishes for a bright autumn to you, dear Jessica!

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  3. I love fall too! Spring, however lovely it is, is a bit tough for me, since I have allergies, so that means I can't truly enjoy all the beautiful new foliage and flowers. But I am so glad that I am able to admire the beauty of the leaves turning and all the sights, scents and sounds of fall that you have described, without having a sniffly nose and red eyes. :)
    I can't wait for those truly chilly days so I can finally pull out my cozy sweaters, including my new vintage one! Oh, and don't forget lace-up boots! ;)

    Blessings,

    Brigid
    The Middle Sister and Singer

    P.S. You write so well, and poetically too!

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  4. A beautiful and evocative piece of writing! Summer has always been my favourite season but in recent years I have come to appreciate autumn much more...it's a busy time of year for our family as well, but I adore the feeling of freshness in the air and of course the beauty of nature's colours. Best autumn wishes to you, Jessica!

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  5. Undoubtedly, each season has it's own charm, I'm sorry that summer is coming to an end, love sunny days, the light-filled endless afternoons until ten at night, the days enjoying the sea and swimsuits vintage.
    But autumn brings beautiful light, wonderful colors in nature, chestnuts and halloween, the latter is beginning to quite enjoyed here in Spain. Certainly, have to enjoy every season and every moment of life, dear Jessica. And I'm glad to have my way in this virtual world enjoying the friendship so special and lovely people like you. Millions of kisses.

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  6. Have a lovely Autumn! It's Spring here in Australia! :) Looking forward to Summer!

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  7. Happy start of autumn to you, sweet Jessica!

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  8. In that name, I'm raising my mug and saying "Cheers!"

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  9. I really love reading your posts!!! Beautiful!!! Happy Fall!!!

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    1. Thank you very much, honey, that really means a lot to me. I adore writing them and am so happy to know you enjoy my posts.

      Joyful autumn wishes to you as well!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Autumn is my favourite season as well. I am an october baby, but I hail from Amazon and didn't experience autumn until the year of 2010. The first time I saw snow was in december of 2008, when I spent 2 months in Switzerland, up until february of 2009. I came back to germany for summer of 2009 to visit my husband, that was just my boyfriend at the time and the next time i came to Europe was when I moved here.

    Autumn indeed has something magical about it, the air smells differently and makes me happier, nice to know it isn't just me. Plus, my birthday is begin of october, which makes autumn even more fun.

    And people just dress better, classier. Even non vintage wearers. I just really love walking with the cold, but still without the snow. I have to try and make some good pictures this ayear, I just realized I dont have pictures of myself with fallen leaves. I guess I am always too busy enjoying to view to remember to take pictures

    ps: I replied to your comment on my blog

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  11. I love autumn too, it is so beautiful and cosy. I love moving indoors and sitting in front of the fireplace, although I know I will hate it late in winter. And what a lovely post, pure poetry. This post proves exactly why I won't miss a word of your writing. :)

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    1. You are so tremendously sweet to me, Sanne, thank you deeply. I'm so happy to know we share a passion for autumn in common. This season just makes me giddy by the sheer fact that it's returned again. I try to savour and enjoy as much of it as I can, and blog about a good many of my favourites in the process. From the first rusty hued maple leaf that comes tumbling to the ground to the very last, I cannot help but have a smile on my face and song in my heart. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. I have been feeling so down about the fall coming, but this post cheered me immensely. Thank you for showing me some of the warmth of Autumn that I love!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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    1. You're so very welcome, my sweet dear! I like to think that I'm one of autumn's biggest cheerleaders. :)

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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