An Ode to Autumn

I have a confession to make. Despite insisting on buying one every year, I really hate pumpkins. They’re never as easy to carve as the pinterest boards’ claim and the smell of the insides make me heave. Last year we bought a huge one to try paint blue and stick huge eyes on to supposedly look like the cookie monster and the six year old couldn’t breathe at one point because she was laughing at my gagging so much. And it didn’t end up looking anything like the cookie monster either. However, I will still trot dutifully to Tesco in a few weeks time and buy one. All because I bloody love autumn. Everyone who bleats on about summer being the best season with sunnies and flip-flops and tans is clearly blocking out the affects of global warming and the fact that all we get is a slightly warmer and much more humid wet half to the year. California it ain’t. Whereas autumn, well we have autumn down! Colder, darker, crisper with way more stuff going on. I’ve just bought my winter coat (oxblood with a detachable fur, in case you were curious) and I am full steam ahead for some burnt orange, leafy, toffee apple flavoured months.

Working in retail means that I start planning for Christmas in June so come September when the children go back to school I am totally ready for what I like to call “strictly season.” The announcement of who is taking part in SCD really signifies that it’s time to put away those flip-flops and start hunting for some boots. (I’m hugely disappointed with this year’s line up by the way, Anton’s PhD in Cougar Management hasn’t been put to good use at all and I'm still holding out hope for Arlene’s return.) As soon as I saw the first contestant was announced I was on Amazon picking out a fondue set to see me through the chillier months, (when I decide on a red or a black one, it is on!) and the hunt is back on for a plum lipstick that doesn’t make my lips disappear. A jaunt to New Quay last week saw me gain another welsh wool tartan blanket for the bottom of the bed (an obsession of mine) and on seeing a Game Pie at a food fair recently I am now eagerly awaiting game season to make my own and it’s a hearty steak and ale pie for dinner tonight to tide us over.

Probably the only time of year I wish I was American is Halloween. Those guys really know to dress the shit out of their houses and scare the crap out of local kids with their outfits and terrifyingly high blood sugar levels and I salute them for it! Pinterest has just suggested a blog to me that hosts “90 Fall Porch Decorating Ideas” and in it contains a classier red and pumpkin coloured wreath for the door that I can hardly contain the glue gun for and I have a whole host of fingers in a bun, ghostly banana style recipes in wait. Then that brings us to my most favourite day of the year. Bonfire Night. I am utterly infatuated with everything about this day as anyone who has spent it with me can tell you. I like us to leave at least an hour in advance to make sure we get a good spot (even though you could be miles away and still see the sky!) and I totally shut down when the fireworks start and am totally transfixed by them. It’s the closest most of us will ever get to magic and I could honestly watch them until the end of time. If any of you are looking to replicate the smell of bonfire night at home, Incense and Embers candle by Jo Malone is the one! Smokey, peppery and leathery, to slightly misquote Joey it’s like autumn in a bowl!!

So whilst most people lament the end of the summer we never had, I'll be padding around the house in woollen socks and a blanket whimsically murmuring “Autumn Leaves” by Paolo Nutini whilst the dog hides his head under a pillow (he really hates my singing, weirdly!) and I'll be as happy as a kid at Christmas!

#autumn #bonfire #halloween #jomalone #dog #seasonal