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.

“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.