Autumn Tiptoes In - Small Ways to Welcome the Season Home

I can feel the season approaching, despite the sweltering days and dry weather. Autumn in Colorado tiptoes in and before I know it, I am reaching for my fleece and opening the windows to let the cooler air in. It is a welcome relief from the hot days of summer, especially this year as we had record temperatures and below average precipitation. Nature seemed to skip right over spring, my favorite season, and jumped right into summer. Wildflowers, green hillsides and afternoon thunderstorms were missed this year and I found myself less eager to go hiking in the heat.

Signs the Season is Shifting

I am excited for the upcoming autumn months. There is a certain beauty about the shifting seasons. The light begins to cast a golden tint in the late afternoon, and the breeze rattles the green leaves, turning them into oranges, reds, and yellows. I take note of the hummingbirds visiting my plants and wonder if it will be the final hummingbird I see this year. The nights grow longer and instead of the soft sound of crickets, I hear the winds blow through the trees over my home.

Bringing Nature Indoors

In addition to the changes nature brings, autumn also awakens a renewed desire to make my home cozy. There’s nothing like a warm, soft blanket to curl up in with a good book and a cup of tea. I tend to gravitate towards bringing the natural world in to my home. Pinecones, acorns and colorful dried leaves collected on my walks accompany the feathers found throughout the year. Beeswax candles picked up at the farmers market provide a soft ambience while natural fragrances that bring in the scent of fall, such as apples, cinnamon and spices, simmer on the stovetop. I avoid the traditional autumn scented items, such as plug-ins, paraffin wax candles, and hand soaps in favor of natural alternatives. I love making my own natural room sprays, and purchasing natural soaps and candles from local small businesses.

These are all easy, small steps that aren’t time consuming or labor intensive. Just ways to embrace the new season and make my home healthy.