October's Sunday Supplement: 10 wonderful things to make, do and celebrate in the month ahead
Welcome, October!
October is my favourite month of the year (I know, I know I say that about lots of them!) It’s my Birthday month and the most beautiful, colourful, Autumnal month too.
I have been taking stock of the last year as my birthday approaches and also finalising plans for the last part of the year, which is shaping up to be busy! I am finishing off an e-book at the moment, it’s a Guide to styling and Hosting a gathering which will be out in the next couple of weeks. I am also planning the launch of my first E-Course too - all about the Life Book (aka The January Book) and journalling (this is the first time i've formally mentioned that one- whoop!). LASTLY I will be releasing tickets THIS WEEK to TWO festive workshops in my home. One wreath making evening workshop, and one day long festive workshop with Milkwood candles; where guests will make a bespoke scented candle and a Christmas wreath with me. Hurray! Get on the mailing list here to be the first to be notified. I’m excited to get all of these creative babies of mine out into the world and am loving the turn of season as an excuse to hunker down, write and be creative.
As a family we are settling into a lovely season; Frankie-Rose has had a good start to this school year after a really trying end of the last year and we are all so glad that she seems so much more settled this year (such major major heart relief). Auden is changing before our eyes; coming out with more and words each day and finding new ways to intentionally make us laugh. He is a mama’s boy at the moment and wants to cuddle me all the time which is 90% gorgeous and 10% GET OFF MY BODY. Both Dave and I have been busy with work too which is welcome!
We are doing all the Autumnal cosy things at home and feeling excited for this golden season. We’ve shaken out our woollens, re lighting the candles daily and preparing for the many celebrations that this season holds.
Yes, Autumn. We like you.
Hurray for October!
10 Wonderful Things to make Do and Celebrate in this wonderful golden month!
1) Make an Autumn Winter health plan. We have had 2 rounds of colds in our house already so have been thinking about how we can boost our families health in the coming cold months. Supplements, soup, Immune tonic (garlic elderberry and echinacea), and sleeeeeeeep is the plan!
2) Go tree watching The trees are utterly magical at this time of year, and bursting with colour. Whether it’s an afternoon trip to the woods or a 5 minute walk around the block, I try to get out every day and watch them change. I take a flask of something warm too, or even just my mug of tea (yeah- i’m that lady in the park with my mug!), it’s one of my favourite things to do.
3) Have a house switch around/potter. Use the change of season as an excuse to switch things around. Get out blankets, get rid of anything broken and have a spruce up. I always want to declutter and clear things out when the seasons turn, do you?!
4) Remember the flowers. Press a few of the last of the seasons blooms to last you through the winter, and plant some bulbs now for beautiful flowers next Spring.
5) Get ready for Halloween! Bake biscuits for trick or treaters, host a vintage scary film night, or organise a kids Halloween tea party.
6) Get the slow cooker out. IT'S TIME. The slow cooker is my favourite way to cook in the winter, and it’s so brilliantly lazy too! I actually salivated whilst reading this list of Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes from the BBC Good Food website. oh man.
7) Make an Autumn wreath or garland. Make a wreath out of leaves or flower heads. I sew pressed leaves onto a piece of cotton thread every year. These make lovely half term things to do with kids too.
8) Get your house winter ready. Check the heating and window seals, stock up on logs and candles. Get chimneys and gutters checked. Twice now, blocked roof guttering has caused huge damp patches so we are super paranoid about keeping the gutters clear! Keep the heating off as long as possible by layering beds and sofa's with blankets and make sure you have a few hot water bottles ready too. (Just typing this makes me want to get in bed with all my cosies immediately)
9) Refresh the woollens. If you haven’t already, wash your woollens on a wool wash then dry them flat (outside if possible) ready for the cold weather ahead. Getting them out, shaking them, washing them etc is also a good moth deterrent. Maybe treat yourself to a new wooly hat or pair of slippers.
10) Start planning Christmas. Wah I mentioned the C Word! I actually mentioned it in (wait for it…. ) September! Gasp! Because I launched (and sold out v quickly) mine and Ray’s December day retreat. I’m savouring Autumn, but also planning more festive workshops, saving a bit of Christmas money and planning a no presents/secret Santa/experience gifts only rule (cuts down on waste and expense, I am a BIG fan and will be talking about this a lot in the coming months!). Theatre, Santa's grotto and ice skating tickets sell out really early too, so book now to avoid disappointment. If you are planning on making an advent calendar or gifts, start planning and making now too to save a stressful December.
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