Autumn Appreciation: A few of my favorite things

     I think it's safe to say that we are officially in the heart of fall. I think that the Pennsylvanian peak was over the last two weekends. Say, from October 16 to October 26. DC's peak may still be a week out, as the ten day temperature report still predicts temperatures in the 70's. DC cannot officially be in the heart of fall until I have to break out a jacket. :-P

     I took this photo last Saturday on my cell phone. It is on Rt. 99 between State College and Altoona.



My fiance says that it looks like the vibrant colors of the trees may have been muted by the snowfall that State College received over the October 16th weekend. While that might be the case, the view is still spectacular. I bet it was even better on Sunday, when the clouds were replaced by sunshine.

     I recently picked up Whole Living: Body + Soul magazine in my lunch room at work, and I'd like to share with you the goal for October.

Change is in the air. You can see it, of course, with the colors transforming and all of nature's moving marts starting to shiver and spin. But you can also feel it--the elemental shift that happens internally, viscerally. You begin to crave warmer foods and cozier corners. You find yourself growing quieter, more aware, each sense sharpening. Indulge in this richness while you can, letting the shift in season invigorate your health, enliven your home, draw you more completely inside. This is, after all, what harvest time is for: reaping what yous ow, gathering up your treasures, and holding them, with gratitude, in both hands.
--Terri Trespicio

If you have the opportunity to read this magazine, I recommend reading the article "12 Ways to Get Ready for Fall" as well.

     So, while everything still feels "fall-y," I'd like to share three things that really help make the season for me. I already own the first two, and the third I plan to own soon.

     First on my list is products from Bath and Body Works.



Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin! As the site says, "...This fragrance brings together all the sweet and spicy scents of fall – apple, cranberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, and clove." I can attest that I have been using the bodywash daily since I purchased them in late spring, and the smell in the shower is really great. I use the lotion and body spray less frequently, but I always enjoy the rush of warmth that they bring. It's a great way to incorporate fall into some of the everyday things you do for yourself.

     My second favorite fall thing--Yankee Candles! I like Yankee Candles because I find that I am pretty sensitive to whatever's in the wax of other candles. I've burned candles and developed asthmatic-like symptoms, so if I find a brand that doesn't make me sick, I'm likely to stick to it. My mom is the same way, and also likes Yankee Candle.

     I think that scent is a really important part of really feeling a season, so I purchased the following large candle:



and my fiance convinced me to buy the following votives, since they were a dollar each:


Autumn Fruit, Fall Festival, Autumn Leaves, Be Thankful, Cinnamon & Sugar, Farmer's Market, and Harvest
I keep the big candle in the middle of my dining room table, and I burn the votives in my kitchen while I'm cooking. I really enjoy the very personal and warm aromas they create in my house. It makes my small basement apartment feel full and cozy, even though it's only me, my fiance, and the kitties.

     The final thing I'd like to mention is a set of kitchen products made by Williams-Sonoma. Oh, Williams-Sonoma, if I had a fortune, it would be given to you entirely in exchange for your many treasures. Although I can find one of your $20 potato mashers at the local hardware store for $3, I still value your presence and presentation.

     The item of fall interest is:



The Essential Oils Collection in the scent of Spiced Chestnut. If I had my way, I would purchase the cleaning kit, which includes the liquid hand soap, hand lotion, dish soap, and counter top spray all int he warm inviting spiced-chestnut scent. I'm hoping that I'll decrease my mess-making proclivities in the kitchen, and rather replace them with cleaning aromatherapy. Perhaps a Pavlovian response will devlop, and my stress relief will correspond with cleaning my kitchen counters! A girl can dream...

     Those are my three favorite items for encouraging the celebration of autumn! In closing, allow me to urge you to tune in to your local ABC affiliate this evening or next (Tuesday or Wednesday night), as they will be showing this year's It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!. Tonight's showing is an hour-long special, but if you miss it, there will be another broadcast tomorrow (but it will only be a half-hour long). My fiance is a Peanuts fan, and the broadcasting of Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts cartoons really highlights our holidays. We like to be prepared with blankets on the couch and warm drinks. I'm thinking some apple cider may be the trick tonight. Enjoy!

Autumn in DC?

     It could finally be, but it's difficult to tell with all the rain the East Coast has been receiving. In my beloved State College, Pa, they received almost nine inches. The city is most likely in the height of the autumn foliage, but I imagine it will be difficult to see under all of that snow.

     I apologize for being so delinquent posting! I have been very busy lately. Last weekend was my bridal shower, and my girls know me so well. It was decorated so beautifully in a--you guessed it--fall theme! I had to travel to Pittsburgh, Pa from Washington DC, and along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I picked this up:



     As you can see, I have already pinned it up in my cubicle. The post card is not an exaggeration, either--the leaves of the Pennsylvania mountains are spectacular. If you've ever seen the miniature train set at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh (and if you haven't, I recommend that you visit it if you get the chance), it really looks just like the fall section. I love it!

     Today, I've spent the day making a bolognese sauce. I really wish I had one of these to finish off the meal:



     This is one of my future mother-in-law's apple pies. It's amazing.

It's finally October!

     Hooray! Today is October 1^st, and when I woke up this morning in the usually sticky city of Washington DC, the temperature was 52°F--a pleasant surprise! I think the temperature is raising in this city later in the week, but for now, I am pacified. Most people are affected by seasonal affective disorder when things are chilly--I think mine, if I have it or were to have it, occurs May through August.

     October 1^st is officially the day when people stop giving you weird looks for putting up your Halloween decorations. It is officially the start of the celebration of the Halloween season! So many holidays occur at the end of the month, and you really don't get to enjoy them adequately if you only start celebrating around the middle of the month. I fully advocate that if your holiday occurs at the end of the month, you may start celebrating at the beginning of that month--it is fair game! Everyone, start putting up your Halloween decor if you haven't already.

     If you are like me, you spend much of your time in an office. That doesn't mean that you can't celebrate the season, though! Today, visit the American Greetings website and find yourself a (free!) new computer desktop background and screensaver! For your desk, it might also be nice to add something that smells of the season. If you could have candles or hotpads, that would be awesome, because there are so many candle scents from which to choose. I am not allowed to have these things, though, so instead, I have a Renuzit:


Mmm...Apple & Cinnamon.

On my filing cabinet, I also have a nice set of decorations that I got from CVS two years ago. I put them on my filing cabinet so that my co-workers can also see them and enjoy something different than our drab office:



I'll also add candy occasionally to lure co-workers into my (lair) cube for friendly conversation. That is what this season is all about--joining together in friendliness as the weather grows colder. Enjoy!