September 23, 2024

Autumn List 2024

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Here to welcome you to the greatest time of year. Not just because of cooler weather or the anticipation of Halloween but because of the constant changes happening around us each day. The official beginning of the end of the year. Absolutely nothing better. Here’s what I’d love to do this fall.

Make pasta from scratch.
Go to Downey’s Farm or a harvest festival.
Make a turkey poutine.
Make an apple or pumpkin savory dish.
See the salmon run.

And here are some of my past autumn lists incase you’re looking for more ideas of things you might want to do this season.

December 20, 2023

Autumn List 2023 Revisited

by Liz Heather in Personal

Autumn has ended! Welcome to the coziest time of year. Here’s how my autumn list went.

1. Make an apple flavoured dessert.

I made my favourite apple fritter cake for Thanksgiving. Might be my favourite apple dessert of all time? I also made apple cider doughnut cookies that were pretty great, too

2. Taste a turnip.

For some reason, every time I saw one at the grocery I winced and kept moving. Maybe I need someone to cook me a turnip? I don’t ask for much from my friends.

3. Make a homemade pumpkin syrup for iced coffee.

Did it! And I might do this every year from now on. Homemade syrup tastes eons better than any bottled one.

4. Wear bolder lipsticks.

I did! Mostly in October, but still.

5. Watch at least ten horror movies I haven’t seen before.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch (the movie) - not horror but spooky themed so I’m counting it. As well as Knock At the Cabin, Prom Night, Blades, Trick R Treat, Coherence, The Fog, Night Beast, Tourist Trap, The Black Phone and Child’s Play 2.

4/5! Okay, that’s pretty good. Winter list coming tomorrow!

September 23, 2023

Autumn List 2023

by Liz Heather in Ideas

Is there anything greater than an autumn backyard? (Yes, a snow-covered one obviously, but let’s not be choosy)

The first day of autumn! This is my Christmas morning. I wait all year for this season because it’s the beginning of everything pure: a cold breeze to wake you up in the morning, taking candlelit baths, maple and apple cider flavoured everything, 90s Halloween sitcom episodes and bite-sized candy. A perfect season. Here’s what I’d love to do this fall.

Make an apple flavoured dessert.
Taste a turnip.
Make a homemade pumpkin syrup for iced coffee.
Wear bolder lipsticks.
Watch at least ten horror movies I haven’t seen before.

I’m keeping the list brief because of the million other things I’m planning for the season. I’ll likely go to Downey’s Farm with the family. Costume planning is well underway. I’ll unpack and display all of our autumn/Halloween stuff later today. I have to make final decisions on what’s getting cooked this year for (Canadian/real) Thanksgiving in October. I’m definitely going to make these leftover stuffing muffins. I’ve already been to Salem and to Sleepy Hollow, so I don’t think there’s any seasonal traveling this year. Of course I’ll get Milk Bar’s Thanksgiving croissant IF it’s available in November (last year they stupidly didn’t do them). I will also find leaves and then proceed to look at them. And every year I make a leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich but with a different bread each time, so that will obviously happen again.

Here are some of my past autumn lists incase you’re looking for more ideas of things you might want to do this season. (I really hope you make a list of your own. Yes you may be an adult, but you’re not above it like you think you are.)

I’m also doing an autumn 2023 highlight reel on Instagram that I’ll update each day of the season because I’m a lunatic who’s powers only grow stronger this time of year.

December 23, 2022

Autumn List 2022 Revisited

by Liz Heather in Personal

baby dog central park new york city Liz Heather — Baby Dog , Central Park

Autumn is over and the sweet stillness of winter is upon us. While I wait for the snow, here’s how my autumn list of things to do went!

Make the very best leftover Thanksgiving sandwich humanly possible.
- Okay, I didn’t do this at Thanksgiving BUT I may be able to redeem myself on the day after Christmas.
Watch at least ten horror movies I haven’t seen before.
- Oh no, I only did four (Smile, Barbarian, Halloween Ends, Terrifier). To be fair, I rewatched tons of movies I’ve already seen but that does not count.
Finally learn the Phantasm theme on piano.
- Not even kinda!
Completely clean out off of my closets and donate anything that hasn’t been worn in the past two years.
- This is getting embarrassing. DOING THIS THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY!
Watch and harshly critique Hocus Pocus 2.
- I watched it and… clearly it isn’t supposed to be for me, which is sad. I wanted it to be for me so badly, but here we are. Thankfully I wasn’t expecting the world, so it wasn’t devastating.

1/5 Yikes. That’s a rough one. Can’t even spin it this time. I will do better next season!

September 22, 2022

Autumn List 2022

by Liz Heather in Ideas

“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.”

— Shira Tamir

Sometimes you want something so intensely, you don’t know how you’ll react when it finally arrives. You think, “I may have built it up in my mind, what if it can’t fulfill my expectations? Am I even worthy enough to deserve such a luxury? Will I adequately know how to appreciate it?” And then suddenly the heavens part and it descends upon you, dominating your every inhale and exhale. As if it existed solely because you were here to enjoy it.

…clearly I’m talking about the fact that as of 9:04pm tonight - AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED.

Did you know that there was a specific time that a season starts at? Is that made up? ‘Cause I just read that and I’m in love with that fact, so I’m really hoping it’s actually true. In any case, the absolute best time of the year has begun. Here’s the plan.

Make the very best leftover Thanksgiving sandwich humanly possible.
Watch at least ten horror movies I haven’t seen before.
Finally learn the Phantasm theme on piano.
Completely clean out off of my closets and donate anything that hasn’t been worn in the past two years.
Watch and harshly critique Hocus Pocus 2.

I’ve already been to Salem and to Sleepy Hollow, so I don’t think there’s any seasonal traveling this year. There’s a full moon on October 9th, so I may have to partake in some rituals. Of course there are some other small things that I always do each autumn. I’ll likely go to Downey’s Farm. Costume planning is well underway. I’ll unpack and display all of our autumn/Halloween stuff this week. I’m definitely going to make these leftover stuffing muffins. I have to make final decisions on what’s getting cooked this year for (Canadian) (real) Thanksgiving in October. Of course I’ll get Milk Bar’s Thanksgiving croissant when it’s available in November. I will also find leaves and then proceed to look at them.

Here are a list of past autumn lists I’ve made incase you’re looking for more ideas of things you might want to do this season. (I really hope you make a list of your own. You’re not above it like you think you are.)

I also started an autumn 2022 highlight reel on Instagram if you have any interest in following along with what I do this season.

December 20, 2021

Autumn List 2021 Revisited

by Liz Heather in Personal

central park autumn bow bridge new york city 2021

Autumn is no more! Is it just me or does it feel like the season began a year ago? Does time exist anymore? Let’s recap how I did with my autumn list of activities.

1. Go to Downey’s for our annual visit.

I truly can’t believe I didn’t do this - it’s been the first year in many years that I’ve been in town and just couldn’t find the time to go. It sort of feels nice to not be tethered to expectations of yourself. Am I… growing up? Is this growth??

2. Make turkey poutine with Thanksgiving leftovers.

You know what? Didn’t happen. But I did have duck poutine, so I’m taking a half point because that’s still some sort of bird poutine. God, that phrase is awful, I promise to never say it again.

3. Make apple fritters or an apple fritter cake.

I made an incredible apple fritter cake and it might be a staple now for Thanksgiving. And such a great alternative to boring old apple pie.

4. Learn the Phantasm theme on piano.

Didn’t do it but really thought about it.

5. Eat the steak at L’Artusi.

I did and it was good! Nothing too too special to ever must eat again, but very good.

2.5 / 5 That’s a pass, baby!

Winter list coming tomorrow!

September 22, 2021

Autumn List 2021

by Liz Heather in Personal

“How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”

— John Burroughs

The absolute best time of the year has officially begun, the start of the three equally best seasons. Here are a few of the things I’d love to do this fall.

Go to Downey’s for our annual visit.
Make turkey poutine with Thanksgiving leftovers.
Make apple fritters or an apple fritter cake.
Learn the Phantasm theme on piano.
Eat the steak at L’Artusi (I only ever get pasta here but look at that beast, below).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L'Artusi (@lartusi)

I didn’t want to go overboard with my list this year because I don’t want to feel overwhelmed, I just want to enjoy the season as much as possible without having a laundry list of things that must be done. Of course there are some other things that I’m planning, but those are surprises for later on. Some other small things that I do each autumn? I’ll break out the warmer comforter for the bed soon. Costume planning is well underway. I’ll unpack and display all of our autumn/Halloween stuff this week. I’m definitely going to make these leftover stuffing muffins. Of course I’ll get Milk Bar’s Thanksgiving croissant when it’s available in November. Oh, and I definitely want to make this leftover sandwich again.

As always, I encourage you to come up with an autumn list of your own, you’re not that busy.

December 20, 2020

Autumn List 2020 Revisited

by Liz Heather in Personal

Winter is upon on! Yes, that seems insane, but what isn’t insane at this point in time? I normally would be excited about a season full of staying inside, but that’s all of our lives now… so… there’s that. Here’s how my autumn list turned out.

Make an apple dessert.
- Truly forgot about this one since Thanksgiving was pretty much cancelled this year and Tianna wasn’t around to request that I make it.
Visit Sleepy Hollow.
- I did and it was so, so great.
Jog before sunrise.
- Damnit, I forgot to do this one. I really want to one day.
Make homemade hot toddies.
- I did and it was good, but it took waaaaay too long. Definitely a drink you order while you’re out somewhere so someone else has to make it.
Have the most epic Halloween possible since it falls on a full moon this year and that, my dear, is magical.
- I did my absolute best and it went just as I’d hoped.

3/5 is respectable! It’s a miracle that I’m still writing and attempting these seasonal lists. I promise to take them even more seriously next year. Winter, here we go…

September 22, 2020

Autumn List 2020

by Liz Heather in Personal

The absolute best time of the year has officially begun. So as the world crumbles around us, let us look to the falling leaf. Let us carve a pumpkin and bask in the candlelight that shines back upon us. Let us believe for a moment that things will get better. Here’s what I’d love to do this season.

Make an apple dessert.
Visit Sleepy Hollow.
Jog before sunrise.
Make homemade hot toddies.
Have the most epic Halloween possible since it falls on a full moon this year and that, my dear, is magical.

However you’re spending the season, I hope it’s everything you want it to be and more.

December 31, 2019

Autumn List 2019 Revisited

by Liz Heather in Personal

BIT late on this post, but nevertheless! Autumn happened! Here’s what I wanted to do. (Spoiler: it ain’t pretty.)

Drink at least one cup of tea each day. (In an attempt to get rid of the old-ass tea that I’m sick of having in the house, but also because autumn mornings & tea are a such a sweet pairing and apparently I’m an old white lady now.)
- Okay, so I absolutely didn’t do one tea per day but I did make a huge dent in all my old tea and bought some new flavours. So… success?
Finally make Ina Garten’s famous roast chicken.
- Eeeeeeep. Completely forgot. Will do this one day!
Host an autumn party (!) with spookily themed delicacies.
- Okay, so October was busy with trips to the Bahamas and New Orleans, so this will have to happen another year.
Eat the new caramel apple cruller from Daily Provisions.
- HOW did I not do this.
Eat spaghetti squash for the first time. This is the year to take on this disgusting task.
- All right, this is never gonna happen. I promise never to put it on another list.
Indulge in the greatest thing this season has to offer: the thanksgiving croissant from Momofuku Milk Bar.
- DID IT!
Make a savory souffle because fuck they fancy.
- Nope!
Visit the real Sleepy Hollow (can’t believe how close it is to NYC).
- Hahahah, not even close.
Decorate the house as if this is the last autumn season I’ll ever see. There shall be a pumpkin in every windowsill before week’s end, so help me god.
- Did it and it was beautiful!
Try some sort of pumpkin coffee that’s not overly sweet (I’ve never cared for PSLs before because 1) they seem too sugary and 2) I’m only half white).
- Had the pumpkin cream at Starbucks: it was very meh.

4 / 10 - YIKES. Next season will go better. Also, I need to stop having ten point lists, that’s way too many. I’m one person!