photo from pinterest via Karen Kay, from homefurnituremag.com
I recently rediscovered my love of candles. I used to burn them all the time – in high school, when I fancied myself to be quite the hippie child. It feels right, this time of year, to bring little flames of light into the home. It’s cozy, comforting, and something I’m finding I really missed.
I don’t do well this time of year. The Autumn time change brings nightfall as soon as I get off work, and for sun-loving me, it also brings a nice case of the blues. I get very down after the time change – at loose ends, one might say – and it lasts anywhere from a week to a month. Right now I’m on week two of downsville, so I thought it might help to make a list of five things that I appreciate about this time of year to get me into a more grateful mood. So in no particular order, here are the things I’m thankful for that only come around this time of year.
Chai to Remember Sweater via ModCloth
Cozy Sweaters
I’d rather be in a tank top, for sure, but there’s something incredibly comforting about coming home, turning on lights, wrapping myself in a cozy sweater and comfy pants, and walking around my house lighting candles and a fire before starting dinner.
Winter Squash soup via smittenkitchen.com
Everyday Soup
During Spring and Summer our table is loaded with the fresh farmer’s market bounty of California.Soup is for sick days, and even then only if it’s under 80 degrees. When the weather turns nippy, however, my love of good, homemade soups can run wild. Is there anything better than hot soup with fresh bread and butter? Soup is simple, inexpensive to make in large batches and freeze, one-pot wonders, there really is no downside. Chestnut and celery root soup, potato leek, think stew, apricot turkey, lentils corriander, mmmmmmm……My friend Katie over at Cakes, Tea and Dreams knows what I’m talking about.
Holiday Celebrations I’m not much for the awkward workplace variety, but get-togethers with friends and loved ones are the best. They happen so much more frequently around the holidays, and are a great reminder of how very, very lucky we are to have so many great people in our lives.
photo from Pinterest via Chloe Hu.
Starbucks Holiday Cups
Especially when they come filled with a creme bruleé latte, or an eggnog lattee cut with regular milk.
Cuddly Husband
I don’t have a photo for this one, but it’s definately one of my favorite things. A. gets very cozy and cuddly when the temperature drops. Evenings are spent holding each other on the couch, watching a movie, maybe with popcorn and champagne if I’m lucky. 🙂
That’s my list, now I want to know what’s on yours! What makes you thankful for this time of year?
Bigger in Real Life 
Thanks for the link, love! You know I adore the soups – and the sweaters and the tea and the twinkle lights. I also love the joyous anticipation of this time of year – it seems to be in the air (as well as in those red Starbucks cups). xo
Ah, the anticipation…yes I’m working on that. I’m going to take your recommendation for an Advent book, as I’m in need of a little joyful anticipation right now. 🙂
I am thankful for all the warm snugly things this time of year. Wonderful husband, jammies, warm drinks, and a much more affectionate kitty than usual. Love making the hubbs laugh as the cat and I stand in front of the heater, bonding over our mutual affection for it 😀 haha!
Super thankful for a strong, *real* marriage, and for family as well ❤
That’s awesome. More snugly pets are a definite plus for the cold weather blues.
And yay for healthy marriages!