I love fall, and it’s not because of the pumpkin spice stuff and all that trendy crap. For me fall – or, ahem, autumn – is about the harvest, the hard work, the community and togetherness that comes with Thanksgiving, but most of all, the colours. It may sound corny, but they speak to me. The browns and greens, the reds, oranges and yellows from the leaves. I tell you, there’s just something about it.
Safe to say the recent cold weather days and the even more recent hurricane over the weekend has me breaking out my cozy sweaters, all my candles and looking forward to the season change (but not winter, never winter).
With all of this in mind, here are some things you can try to embrace the fall this year:
Head into the great outdoors: Here on the Island, we’ve got some great trail systems. Bundle up, put on a beanie hat, wrap up in a scarf, lace up your boots, and get walking. Take in the floral and fauna that are changing colours and preparing for hibernation.
Take a trip to a market: Who doesn’t love a good corn maze? But there’s even more to do. Head to the farmer’s markets, snatch up some sunflowers and enjoy the harvest.
Talk to a farmer: I might be a little bit biased, but this is one of their busiest seasons. But it’s also the culmination of all their hard work over the summer as they reap what they sow and mark an end to the harvest season. Why not celebrate them?
Come together: For me, autumn is all about coming together, especially at Thanksgiving. Just because the night’s cooler doesn’t mean you can’t still have a bon fire – it just means you get to make s’mores earlier in the evening. Host a barbecue, have a pot luck with friends, put on music and have a game night. The options are limitless.
Start a new series: It could be TV, movies, books or even podcasts. There’s no reason why you can’t pour a piping hot cup of tea, coffee, or cider and hunker down for a fall day. We should all be so lucky to enjoy the different lifestyle pace that comes with the change of season.
Now, these are just a few of my favourite things to do this fall – along with decorating my house with earthy tones and sunflowers. What can I say – happy fall, y’all.
Millicent McKay is a Summerside-based journalist for the Journal Pioneer. She likes yoga, playing with her cat, copious cups of tea, soap operas and blogging. For more content by Millicent head to www.modernmillee.com or check out her Instagram – instragram.com/modernmillee.
