Ten ways to stay snug and create a cozy English country autumn
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” John Keats
I adore this time of year.
As the days draw in and the mornings darken, my mind turns towards nourishing comfort food, snuggly blankets, brisk frosty walks, new knitting projects and cake.
Whilst summer-favouring women meet the equinox with foreboding and dread, I regain enthusiasm for life, motivation to start new projects and buoyancy of mood but part of the enjoyment as always is in the planning.
So how do I prepare for an English autumn and winter?
Well obviously, with a few exceptions, we’re not dealing with Artic-level conditions and whilst we do sometimes have snow, where I live, this time of year is so often about dull skies, rain and dampness. The occasional clear, blue sky crisp weather is to be celebrated but that doesn’t mean that a dose of staying snug doesn’t go amiss and in this post, I’ve outline my top ten tips for staying snug and cost.
Contents
Gather your autumn supplies
Go foraging
Take up a new hobby
Take time out in nature
Settle down with a good book
Settle down with a good film or box set
Start crafting
Plan your winter wardrobe
Plan some treats
Investigate and organise local traditions
Gather your autumn supplies
I love to treat myself to a few supplies to make the season even more cosy. The following are a few of my ideas
Candles especially beeswax. I’m also a huge fan of the Botanical Candle company
Extra special soaps
Winter - inspired cookery book
Cashmere socks
Clear out your spice containers and stock up on some new ones. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are my go-tos this time of year
2. Go foraging
The hedges this time of year are abundant with fruits and berries. Every year, I collect blackberries - combining them with apples to make a crumble is a signal that the season has officially begun.
Last year, we traipsed through wet fields in search of sloes that were seeped in gin for almost a year which is probably a little excessive. But the result was a fabulous, floral sloe gin which has just been decanted into bottles and is now being enjoyed on dreary afternoons.
My latest project is exploring hawthorn berries. So far, the tea has been a disappointment but I’ve set myself the task of collecting more to turn into a paste which when simmered with apple juice is a lovely treat for hot buttered toast.
3. Take up a new hobby
This time of year, associated as it is with new academic year beginnings, still has the power to have me hunting for new hobbies or classes to take during the winter evenings.
Over the last few years, I’ve taken up Scottish dancing which is great fun as well as being very useful to keep the brain ticking over (trying to quickly memorise steps in a complicated dance is a good way to exercise mental agility).
This year’s offering is a little different as I have decided to attend self-defence classes and will share more in a later blog post.
Don’t limit yourself, try something a little different and maybe you’ll amaze yourself and meet some interesting new people.
4. Take time out in nature
Despite the weather and darkness, it can be good to make getting outdoors a daily habit. I bought myself an annual membership which allows me to swim all year round in a local lake and whilst last year, I got to about November before a long spell of damp weather put me off until the Spring, this year I’m determined to keep going through the winter - in my swimming cossie for as long as possible but then using my wetsuit if I need to .
Getting outside lifts the spirits and exercise is so important to keep you healthy during the coming dark months.
5. Settle down with a good book
I would definitely label myself as a life-long reader and in my teens wanted to be a librarian. I also have a passion for vintage books and so this year, I’ve been concentrating on increasing my collection of Thomas Hardy.
I’m currently reading Far from the Madding Crowd but also heartily recommend anything Jane Austen of the Brontees,
6. Settle down with a good film or box set
There always seems something inherently decadent about getting a good fire going, snuggly under a wollen blanket and watching a good film on a dark, wet afternoon. These are some of my favourites
The Importance of being Earnest
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell ( a fantastic book but I also have a DVD set of the TV series which I love to watch at this time of year
Whisky Galore - I love the 2017 version which is such a gentle, light-hearted tale
Vanity Fair - the tv series is fabulous
Girl with a Pearl Earing
Emma - LOVE the 2020 version which is my favourite
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
7. Start crafting
I’m a keen knitter and now is the time to spend some enjoyable hours searching through patterns and wool websites to make a decision about my next make. I’ve been knitting for decades and whilst I’ve done some complicated patterns, I do tend to make patterns that don’t require too much mental effort.
8. Plan your winter wardrobe
I’m one of those people who keeps the majority of their clothes for the next season hidden away in a suitcase and it’s always such a thrill to open it at the start of autumn to remind myself of clothes that I’d forgotten about. It’s a little like having a whole new wardrobe to explore but being a clothes fan, I also love browsing through websites to buy a few new things as well as planning which clothes I’m going to make.
9. Plan some treats
I’m a huge fan of afternoon tea and think it’s another wonderful idea for wet afternoons. I’m lucky where I live to have access to a number of fabulous locations and organising a meet-up with a friend is a wonderful way of catching up and also sampling some delicious treats.
10. Investigate and organise local traditions
English customs and heritage are a passion of mine so I love researching some of the more obscure traditions that have been forgotten and resurrecting them in my own home. This time of year we have the old favourites of Old Hallows Eve as well as the celebration of the Houses of Parliament not being blown up on Guy Fawkes night which always provide a little extra fun and of course, inspiration for autumn - focused edible treats.
So I hope my list has inspired you to create your own to make the most of this time of year because even if you’re more of a Spring/ Summer person, there is much enjoyment and pleasure to be gained from this time of year.