I was born in autumn, and I’ve had an affinity for the season ever since. In recent years I’ve had difficulty with the humid heat of summer, so I’m relieved when the crisp breezes blow in, even though I despise the damp cold and grey skies of winter in Toronto. It’s always a dance between being present for the few months that autumn lasts and spending them bracing myself for winter.
This year, though, I’m really feeling the love, letting myself sink into the sensations of fall…
My taste buds switched over weeks ago from salads to stews and roasted vegetables. This past weekend we cooked beef brisket for the first time, and it was phenomenal. I’ve started to crave tea again — in the summer I mostly just drink coffee and cold beverages. We’ve started baking again — next weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and we’ll be doing GF pumpkin pie, as usual.
I’ve been enjoying pulling out my hoodies, warmer cardigans, and plaid flannels (shout-out to Patagonia, who carry a properly thick cotton flannel shirt in lots of colourways, although I just went for blue because of course I did). I’ve even worn my down vest a couple of times already — it’s Canada, what can I say?
It hasn’t been all that cold at night, so we’ve been leaving the bedroom window open a crack, which makes it deliciously cool and makes our blankets feel even cozier — a feeling I really miss in the summer.
This is my favourite time of year for long walks, with spring a close second. Because we haven’t had a hard freeze yet, the fall colours are taking their sweet time to appear. But they’re coming… (Click the arrow on the photo for more.)
And we’ve started our Halloween viewing. (I’ll probably read something appropriate later this month, too.) Last weekend we watched Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the 2021 film with a couple of kids in the starring roles. Finn Wolfhard, aka Mike from Stranger Things, plays the older brother; McKenna Grace, aka the young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, plays the younger sister; and Paul Rudd, aka Ant-Man from the MCU, plays a teacher who gets a key role in the events.
The film switches genres partway through from family drama to action, dropping some of the emotional through-lines, so it isn’t as effective as it could have been. The storyline is also well warmed over, and there’s some over-reliance on nostalgia (for the original films, that is; nobody mentions the events of the all-female 2016 reboot). But the pacing is good, the comedic moments funny, and the characters engaging, especially the autistic-coded 12-year-old sister and her oddball friend. If you’re looking for a family-friendly spooky flick, it’s worth watching. I’m a horror lightweight and found it not at all scary, although some parts may be too intense for younger kids.
How do you feel about autumn in general? This year?
Autumn is my favorite season too. Lovely photo! I feel like autumn has come quickly this year for some reason…which is fine as I am not a fan of summer or winter. I do love spring, too. 🙂
I love autumn. I love open windows and the cook evenings and bringing out the wool blankets and socks! We also are transitioning to crock pot meals; which I love for the sheer convenience.
Thanks, Erin and Ramona! Glad to have company in my love of this season.