10 scrumptious ideas for Autumn

10

Autumn has always been my favourite time of year, I've always loved that back to school feeling that September brings, the idea of fresh beginnings, feeling renewed after a summer break; we can begin again with a clean slate, it feels like anything is possible.

Harvest, pumpkins and squash, fields of sunflowers. Conkers, acorns and crispy leaves underfoot. Knee high boots and woolly tights. Gingham table cloths, apple and blackberry crumble. Gingerbread and cinnamon sprinkled coffee. Dark mornings and darker afternoons. Chunky cardigans and chenille blankets.TV dramas and new ‘books to read. Halloween and Bonfire night, sparklers clasped in small gloved hands.

.

Cooling temperatures mean our homes once again take centre stage for family life, we draw curtains, light candles and snuggle under checked blankets. We drink warming chi lattes or syrupy red wine, spend afternoons in the kitchen perfecting our apple crumble; we warm our little one's flannel pyjamas on the radiator for when they get home from school.

We start new projects and make plans and lists, powered by the new energy a change in season brings. We anticipate Halloween, bonfire night and Christmas, and the joy these occasions will bring to our homes

We take strolls for the sheer childish delight of kicking up piles of crispy leaves. Nature is at its most beautiful, there are fields of sunflowers, but there are also blackberries, apple's ripe for picking and deliciously shiny conkers paths covered in a blanket of leaves in shades like the setting sun . naked branches sculpture against a twilight sky. Woodsmoke lingers on the air.We cuddle up with our partners to watch the latest box set, and spend hours on Pinterest making boards for how we want the new season to look. We take long hot baths scented with cinnamon and sweet orange, then we retire to our bed to snuggle under blankets and throws with some atmospheric reading material.

This then is how we do Autumn…

Sort through your summer clothes, be ruthless, any clothes that you haven't worn this year, you're probably not going to wear next summer either so give to charity. Along with any clothes the little ones will have grown out of by next summer. Bin summer shoes that are worn beyond repair. Now store away the remaining summer clothes and shoes, I use those big zip up bags as you can get so much in them and they squish nicely under beds.

Lay out all your winter clothes and again be honest before you put each item in your wardrobe ask yourself if you love this piece and are you likely to wear it? If not, off to charity it goes.

Launder, iron or mend any clothes you find that you love but need a bit of TLC before you'll be able to wear them.

Now you can assess if there are any gaps in yours or the children's wardrobes. Little ones will probably need a new coat each winter, and if budget allows you may want to treat yourself to a new one too, but if that isn't an option, a new bag, or even a few new accessories can rejuvenate your wardrobe ready for the new reason. Finish by hanging a few sticks of cinnamon from a ribbon inside your wardrobe, smells lovely and discourages pesky moths from nibbling on your woollies, the little blighters have discerning tastes and their favourite thing to eat ever is cashmere, I discovered this to much heartbreak in the past!

Prepare and freeze batches of soup for a quick warming snack whenever you feel like it

Update your house's fragrance, try adding pine, cinnamon, or amber essential oils to your cleaning products, room sprays and diffusers or treat yourself to a candle in a spicy flavour.

Try this recipe for frothy cleaning solution.

1 and 1/2 Cups of white soap flakes

1/2 a Cup of lemon juice

3 Pints of warm water 1 tablespoon of glycerine

3 -4 drops of aromatherapy oil

Put the soap flakes in a large pan and add the water. Warm gently until the flakes have dissolved, then stir in the glycerine and remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool then pour in the lemon juice, add the aromatherapy oils and stir until your arm drops off.

Make Autumn mason jar candles.

Decorate clean, empty glass jars with leaves, paint on a layer of clear varnish and leave to dry, then add a tea light for a lovely, cosy glow

Try this recipe for chocolate pumpkin torte

Ingredients

Semi-sweet chocolate bars or dark chocolate bars (dairy-free option), chopped

5 eggs, large

Smooth almond butter – this is important if you don’t like the gritty feel of regular almond butter. Here’s the smooth almond butter we love.

Canned coconut milk (full-fat)

Pumpkin puree

Pure maple syrup

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350℉ / 177℃. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lining the bottom with a parchment round and the sides with parchment strips.

2. Melt the chocolate bars in a bain marie (double boiler) or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Alternately, microwave the chocolate in 20-second intervals in the microwave until smooth and melted. Set aside to cool.

3. In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and whisk until combined. Add the almond butter, coconut milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and espresso powder (optional). Mix together gently using a wooden spoon, whisk, or silicone scraper/spatula.

Electric mixer optional: use on low speed, don't beat too much air into the batter.

4. Add in the melted chocolate, mixing together all ingredients until smooth.

5. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is set with a slight jiggle. It is done when the center reaches 160℉ / 72℃ on an instant read thermometer.

6. Remove from the oven and place onto a wire cooling rack. Once cooled to room temperature, chill in the refrigerator until serving.

7. Right before serving, dust with a light layer of cocoa powder.

When mornings start to turn dark and cold, it can be difficult to tempt family members from their cosy beds, so why not make breakfast a bit special ? set the table with your best plates, napkins, and checkered tablecloth light candles and serve croissants fresh from the oven and homemade jam.

Stockpile a collection of books you've been meaning to read, designate a 'to read’ shelf to keep them together, and set aside time each week to sit in your favourite chair with a hot chocolate or a glass of wine and get carried away with a good book

Revive achy muscles with a Mustard bath: simply mix half a cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of English Mustard powder, then add 4 drops each of peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus.

Make every Friday "Jacket Potato" night and enjoy them with a different topping each and every week throughout Autumn. Pile a stash of the most Autumnal magazines in your collection on to the coffee table to remind yourself of all the joys of the season.

It's not just children who deserve new stationery when September rolls around. Treat yourself to the best fountain pen you can afford and source some green ink cartridges.

Turn your bathroom into a spa every Sunday night, light candles, use you most expensive bath soak and the softest towels you own, stay in as long as you can. Then smother yourself in a rich body lotion and pop on your comfiest p.j's and hop into a freshly made lavender scented bed and snuggle up with a good book.

Want more Autumn inspiration- read my ebook 101 scrumptious ideas for Autumn- here

Do have the most wonderful Autumn wont you?