Autumn in the Arizona Desert

Even though it is mid October, today was over 105° F / 40° C. I really want to wear my sweaters that have been waiting in the back of my closet. The Arizona desert does not change drastically in the fall.

It is a slow cooling down and not much visual change. Most of the local trees stay a dusty green color throughout the year. There are very few trees that actually show the change of the seasons in my neighborhood.

This means that I need to do some things in my own home to enjoy the new season that is on the calendar but not outside my door.

My favorite way to embrace a new season (especially fall) is using the five senses.

The Nester taught me this idea. Her book Welcome Home is a favorite!

[ This was a favorite post from the archives – sharing again here for you all to enjoy. 🍂 ]

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Ways That I Am Enjoying Fall Smells –

• mulled cider candles lit on the kitchen counter in the mornings
• having the windows open at breakfast
• apple cinnamon plug-ins in the bathrooms
• cinnamon pinecones in a basket on the front porch
• the delicious smells of the comfort food that I make in the fall

What does Fall smell like to you?

How do you incorporate the smells of fall in your home?

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Ways That I Am Enjoying Fall Tastes –

I feel like everything tastes so good in the fall. I get to slow down and make meals with more time and more heat. I can use my oven at dinner time and not break a sweat in my kitchen (or overwork the a/c unit).

The Lazy Genius talks about having a fall dinner queue in this excellent podcast: #121 HOW TO BUILD A FALL DINNER QUEUE

And she embraces all the complex pieces of fall in this episode: #29: THE LAZY GENIUS FINDS A FALL RHYTHM

and this one: #70: THE LAZY GENIUS WELCOMES FALL

I absolutely LOVE how she approaches the change of the season with the most important in mind.

My favorite Fall Meals and Treats –

• baked goods (either store bought or homemade)
• Breakfasts: oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, and whole wheat muffins
• hearty meals: soups, stews, roasts in the crockpot, and casseroles in the oven
• homemade applesauce simmering all afternoon in the crockpot
• cranberry sauce and homemade preserves from fresh fruit
• pecan pies, apple crisps, pumpkin rolls, and cinnamon cookies

What does Fall taste like to you?

What are your favorite recipes with pumpkin and cinnamon?

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Ways That I Am Enjoying Fall Sounds –

Music is a great way to transition or add calm to the day.

• I love Fall Spotify playlists! Seriously.
  • Fall, coffee, books
  • Fall instrumental – chill music for fall rainy days
  • Autumn Acoustic

I listen to them in the mornings when I am getting breakfast ready for my kids and making my coffee.

I use a Fall Playlist to get into my writing routine.

We play music in the background when we are working on schoolwork or playing board games.

What sounds remind you of the Fall?

Is there a type of music that brings you back to your childhood home or reminds you of a simpler time?

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Ways That I Am Enjoying Fall Textures –

• fuzzy throw blankets for the couches
• green velvet covers for my throw pillows
• table runners with embroidery and leaf patterns
• Types of clothes I enjoy in the fall: flannel shirts, knitted sweaters, layers, jeans, and soft socks
• bumpy gourds in bowls, fairy tale pumpkins, and crunchy leaves on the sidewalk

For my book stack about Hygge and creating a cozy home (see here for more info).

How can you add the Hygge texture factor to your living room?

What kinds of sheets and comforter are on your bed in the fall?

What can you change in your wardrobe to embrace the season?

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Ways That I Am Enjoying Fall Visual Changes –

Some ideas I have gathered for visual decor:

• Choose a color theme for the season.
• Choose a few specific specific surfaces to decorate.
• Seasonal towels and real pumpkins make a big difference.
• Use real pine cones resting on shelves and yard clippings in a vase.
• A few specifically placed wreaths make a big difference.

“Cozy doesn’t have to mean cluttered, and minimal doesn’t have to mean cold.”

“If we use the things we have with purpose we can have more style with less stuff.”

“It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.”

From Online Class: A Cozy Minimalist Does Fall

I always start with inspiration. The Nester on Instagram is a favorite place to start!

I also enjoy making a Pinterest Board for each season.

What does Fall look like to you?

What are you seeing online that inspires you?

What do you see that looks like too much?

What is your budget for fall decor?

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I hope that you find your own ways to embrace this beautiful season. To gather with your people with warm food and cozy throw blankets on living room couches.

Let me know what is working for you. I would love to hear your thoughts!

🍂🎃Happy Fall! – April

P.S. – If it is still hot where you are and you are frustrated and sick of it, maybe this will bring you some laughs. I really enjoyed it!🙂

“Fall or Nothing” – O-Town Parody by the Holderness Family

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