“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.
As September comes to a close and fall has officially begun, I couldn’t be more excited. This is by far my favourite time of year, and I’m ready to dive in and share some of my fall favourites with you!
Wearing
Layers upon layers, upon layers. To me, the best thing about fall is digging out all of my scarves and beanies and bundling up for the crisp air. I’ll admit, I snuck them out a little early this year, but now that it’s officially fall, no one can stop me!
My fall colour palette is filled with maroons, burnt orange, and 1970s yellow with hints of dark green, mimicking our beautiful Atlantic Canadian forests as they make their transition alongside us.
It’s the perfect time of year to shop local, and hunt for cozy new finds. I recently picked up what will surely become my favourite sweater of the season from Boysenberry Boutique and Café in Sydney, NS. If you’re in the area, it’s a must-visit, and like me, they even snuck their Halloween decorations out a little early!
Watching
Despite being the biggest fan of Halloween ever, I’m a total chicken when it comes to horror movies. My movie nights for the season will include family favourites like Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and of course, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. The scariest I’ll go is probably Ernest Scared Stupid (those troll monsters really get to me, OK?).
As for Netflix binges, fall is the perfect time to dip into something a little creepier. I’m currently working my way through Mindhunter, a crime-drama in its second season, which follows FBI agent Holden Ford as he attempts to get inside the minds of some of the world’s most notorious killers. The casting team deserves an extra shout out for managing to find actors eerily similar to Ed Kemper, Dennis Rader, Charles Manson, and more. If you’re into crime thrillers, you’ll want to add Mindhunter to your list.
Drinking
Hot apple pie and ice cream in a mug - that’s exactly what my favourite fall drink tastes like. All you need is a steaming cup of white hot chocolate and an apple cinnamon tea bag. It sounds simple, and it is! But I kid you not, it’s to die for. I pick one up on the way to the Wildlife Park or Hank’s Market and nothing feels more like fall.
Close seconds are chai lattes and London fogs, both are absolutely delicious and perfect ways to stay warm this fall.
One drink I know I’ll be missing this season is the apple cider from Daniel’s U-Pick in Windsor, NS. I’ve never been a big apple cider person, but the first time I tasted theirs, I was hooked. So, if you’re luckier than me and find yourself near Windsor this fall, send some cider my way!
Doing
As the days get shorter and the air gets chillier, it’s time to bundle up and settle in. Most of my fall evenings will be spent picking away at schoolwork, reading, and watching Halloween movies. But, of course, I’ll be checking favourites - like a corn maze, fall farmers’ markets, and costume prep - off the list over the next month as well.
The hectic pace of summer is beginning to slow down, and fall brings with it time for reflection and growth. I’m looking forward to fresh perspectives and continuing the search for balance as the year winds down.
Whatever your fall favourites are, I hope you set aside some special time to make the most of them this year. Happy fall everyone!
Jill Ellsworth is a writer and communications specialist who lives in Dominion, N.S. Her column appears biweekly across the Saltwire Network. She can be reached at [email protected].
