I may not be Oprah, but I still have certain favorite things. Especially those seasonal favorites. I'm also not giving away cars. So definitely not Oprah.
In my last post I ended it by saying goodbye to summer. And with every goodbye comes a new beginning. Fall is arriving on the Palouse. And I love it. You've heard me say it before and yes, you're gonna hear me say it again: I LOVE fall. Even though it makes you want to snuggle up in warmer clothing, it's refreshing after a long, hot summer. It's also a good time to enjoy my favorite fall-time picks.
Leaves...I don't mean the ones crunching under your boots. I mean the scented candle called Leaves that you can get at Bath & Body Works. It's the ideal fall scent; warm and cozy...a perfect compliment to a Sunday afternoon or a fall dinner party.
Bath & Body Works is like Disneyland to candle and body lotion lovers. If you've ever walked by this store you understand the magnetic-like pull that those scented candles have on a shopper. They obviously know what they are doing when they light up those candles right near the entrance. The first time I smelled the Leaves candle I swear I experienced a whip-lash like effect from how quickly I turned around and headed in that store like a candle-hungry zombie.
They have other amazingly delicious smelling candles such as Apple Crumble (up next in my home), Creamy Pumpkin, Marshmallow Fireside, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Cinnamon Sugared Donut, Frosted Cranberry, Caramel Apple, Mint Chocolate...do I even need to go on? If you aren't hungry yet, you should be grabbing your purse and headed to the nearest B&B Works to pick up some candles and get your fall scented candle on.
A soft throw blanket....perfect for evenings cuddled up on the couch or sitting outside in the brisk fall air. I recently became obsessed with a blanket I found at Bed, Bath & Beyond, which is coincidentally right next to the addictive candle store I was just telling you about.
This blanket has a velvety soft side and a fluffy soft side. It's like a cloud, it's like a little baby lamb...but really, it's not a lamb, so don't worry. And....it was ON SALE. Which is a dream come true in this store. If you see an item you are crazy about at a discounted price--for no reasons other than life is just that good--you gotta scoop it up and take it home. Because if you don't, there is probably a lady hiding behind a window curtain, eyeing you and your prized, price-slashed item, just waiting for you to reconsider and reshelve it so she can swoop it and take advantage of your poor and possibly too-financially-responsible-for-your-own-good, decision.
Moral to the story: find yourself a super soft blanket to cozy up in as the seasons change and the cold rolls in. And if it's on sale, watch your back and hurry to the check out counter.
Pumpkins....pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, oven roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, pumpkin decorations...and well, the good ol' fashioned pumpkins you can pick up at a pumpkin patch, grow in a garden, or get at Safeway.
Pumpkins seem to be a mainstay during this time of year. Maybe even the symbol of fall. Not just for Halloween and pumpkin carving, pumpkins have been popping up everywhere. I love them and their round, orange, cuteness. I love that you can get them in any size, use them for decoration now, and then, right before they start rotting, can open them up, gut them, and carve faces into them so they looks like glowing heads on your front porch. Too graphic? Don't blame me, our parents tought us this tradition years ago.
Cowboy bean soup...for a truly warm and hearty meal that can last days. And when my crockpot finally gets to see the light of my kitchen. My mom made this soup for us many times during the cooler months. And it's very easy to do. Easy enough for me. If you can open up a can, turn on a stove or a crockpot, you are good to go.
All you need is a can or two of pork n beans, Bushs baked beans, browned hamburger, stewed tomatos, a little water, and brown sugar. I usually just go to the store and pile in cans of whatever beans look good. They have plenty of bean choices to choose from. And as for measurements, I usually just throw it all in, let it simmer for a while and then taste. The brown sugar makes it sweeter, which I like. Use less or more depending on your taste preference.
To complete your meal, place some Grand's flaky rolls on a baking sheet, can't get any easier than that. And have them with the soup. They are the perfect rolls for a hearty soup because you can peel off layer after layer and enjoy with your bowl of cowboy bean soup. Yum!
Flannel...who says it's only for lumberjacks? As a girl who grew up with a dad who was a logger for many years, I've seen and worn my fair share of flannel. But this isn't the only reason why I have a soft spot in my heart for the warm and fuzzy fabric.
I've seen flannel making a comeback recently. You don't need to wear it with suspenders, in fact, please don't unless you really are a logger. And if you aren't ready to wear it yourself, try it on your bed. Flannel sheets are no secret and they truly are amazing. If you don't mind making it even harder for yourself to get out of bed in the morning, flannel sheets are a must when the temp drops and you need some extra bedding.
Boots...my cowboy boots are always a wardrobe staple. I'll wear them anywhere and with, almost, anything. And one pair is never enough. But there are other boots of the season that always catch my attention. Every girl needs a good pair or two or three of boots. They can be very versatile. And they've become a MUST for me.
Leaves...this time I am talking about the ones crunching under your boots. The leaves of fall, with their changing colors, have long been my possible absolute favorite part of the season. I get so excited when I step outside and see yellows, browns, reds, and greens, in the trees and fluttering through the air as they begin to cover the sidewalks and streets. A walk outside is so much more enjoyable with these leaves.
Last year the beautiful, tall, majestic-like Maple tree that towers over my patio and shelters my apartment from the morning sun, graciously shed its beautiful golden yellow leaves onto my lawn, deck, and patio. I adored this tree for doing so. A month or so later, when the snow came sooner than expected, I cursed this towering tree for all the leaves it had left me to deal with that I had not yet dealt with. And in the spring, when the snow finally cleared, I had a soggy blanket-like mess of dead leaves. One day, with rake in hand and unwavering determination, I cleared away those nasty leaves.
This year, the leaves will not win. I'm watching that tree carefully and am ready to brush up those leaves as they fall. I'll enjoy leaf-covered ground somewhere else. Where I don't have to worry about the clean up.
And I'll enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of fall as much as I can before the season is over. I hope you do too.
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