Fantastic Fall

Fall (or autumn as we like to call it in Australia) has always been my favorite time of year. There’s respite from the heat and it’s cool enough to wear all the clothing I like—think cozy scarves, knits, and boots.

But the seasons are not as celebrated back home as they are here in Canada. People don’t tend to change their décor, there isn’t a plethora of ‘fall scented or flavored’ things to buy and Starbucks is almost non-existent in Australia, so PSLs are not the done thing.

Our 2014 Thanksgiving feast

I think part of the reason is that the first month of   autumn back home is still hot enough for most countries to consider it summer and we have so many wonderful native evergreen trees that the changing colour isn’t anywhere near as dramatic.

However, my first fall in Autumn last year was eye-opening. I’d never seen such blazing reds and oranges, and I can now truly call myself fall-obsessed. So while many people mourn the loss of another summer, I am eagerly reaching for my blanket.

Here are some of my favourite things about fall:

1. Travel – It’s so much more pleasant to walk around when it’s not swelteringly hot outside. Last year we travelled to Montreal in October and it was one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been! This year we’re heading to Boston.
2. Candles – I always have a scent of some kind burning

   The view from Mont Royal, Montreal

   in the house and I do enjoy switching them up for the season. At the moment I’m craving warm scents like vanilla bean, caramel and spicy things.

3. Roasts – the idea of a Sunday roast isn’t something I grew up with since my mum always worked on the weekend. Roasts were saved for special occasions like Christmas. Last year we did a Thanksgiving roast Turkey (it was my first time cooking one!) and it was pretty darn delicious. Also, Candied Yams?? Who decided to put marshmallow on a sweet potato? It was tastier than I thought it would be.
4. Clothing – sweaters (or jumpers, as we call them), scarves, boots, layers and more!
5. Reading with a blanket – I’m not sure what it is but I enjoy a book so much more when it’s chilly outside and I have a blanket over me. Add a pair of Uggs to the mix and a cup of hot chocolate and we have a perfect afternoon.
6. New Releases – I couldn’t help but mention this! My first book with Harlequin Blaze comes out at the start of November and I’m pretty darn excited about it. You can get a look at the first chapter here.

Are you a fall fan? What’s your favorite thing about fall?