How to Have a Joyful Fall: October Bucket List
“The fields are harvested and bare,
And Winter whistles through the square,
October dresses in flame and gold
Like a woman afraid of growing old.”
- ANNE MARY LAWLER
Indian summer has arrived, and the change of season is more a sense memory than a date on the calendar. Finally we can feel the heat passing, and slowly the familiar rustic palate of jewel tones will dazzle us with their beauty. October is here to seduce us with her charms. As the days grow pleasantly chilly, here is a bucket list for the month of October to help you get in the spirit of things.
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October Bucket List:
Plan an outing to a pumpkin patch or farmers’ market. Pick the perfect jack-o’-lantern, while also grabbing an assortment of smaller pumpkins for creating luminaries for steps, driveways, fence lines and more. The tiniest pumpkins make charming votive candle holders for dinner tablescapes!
Create a seasonal table. Set aside one small space on which to arrange an autumnal still life: Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds, wheat sheaves or preserved autumn leaves. I also utilize the deep window ledge in our kitchen and it brings me joy each morning when I walk in to brew that first cup of coffee.
Collect and preserve autumn leaves. Gather colorful fallen leaves and acorns on a nature walk and arrange them in a basket or vase for a simple, natural accent piece. To preserve, split the stems of your branches about three inches from the bottom, then stand them in a bucket of warm water for several hours. If any leaves begin to curl, remove and discard them. Prepare a solution of glycerin and water by combining one part glycerine with two parts water. Bring the solution to a boil, simmer gently for ten minutes, and let it sit until completely cooled. Cut the bottom of your stems at a very sharp angle and lightly hammer the ends. Then stand your branches in the mixture, storing the container in a cool, dark place until all the glycerine mixture has completely absorbed (a week to 10 days). When you notice tiny beads of glycerine forming on the leaves, remove the stems, wipe down the leaves with a damp paper towel, and dry them thoroughly. Your leaves will now stay beautiful and bright for many seasons to come!
If you live in a four-season climate, carve out some time for a leisurely country drive to revel in Mother Nature’s show. Take some snacks or a full picnic, and linger as long as you possibly can. ;)
Mull apple cider: add apple cider, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1.2 tablespoon cloves and 1 sliced orange to a crockpot. Cook on low until hot and fragrant. This is an especially delightful drink to sip after raking leaves on a chilly afternoon, or for the kids to indulge in after a long day of school.
Bake bread. Nothing is cozier than homemade bread. Check my favorite no-knead artisan loaf recipe here.
Add quilts or throws to each and every room. Drape homemade quilts over sofas, beds and backs of reading chairs to add texture, warmth and a touch of homemade charm to your space.
Is there anything better than a cozy flickering flame on a cold evening? Whether you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a set of fat beeswax candles, the warm glow of a fire creates such a magical ambience.
Set out books to celebrate the season (especially if you have littles who love seasonal reads! Check out my top children’s books for fall here.) Even a simply cookbook filled with fall recipes is enough to invoke that cozy feeling as you settle into a soft reading chair with a steaming cuppa.
Dress up for Halloween, or at least find yourself a wonderful mask to wear when opening the front door for trick or treaters!
