A strain of unseasonably hot weather this year delayed our autumn from starting in earnest until only this past week or so. All at once the leaves began disappearing, quickly making up for lost time.

I’m always torn when I ponder my favourite season, whichever season I’m in feels pretty good to me at the time. I’m fairly sure my favourite season is spring, with all its joy, life and freshness, however autumn has to be a close runner-up. Every year I welcome it with open arms.

I love the colours, even here in England where half the leaves drop off without changing at all. I like the slight chill in the air; a new chill that is the promise of warm coats, beautiful scarves and new gloves to knit, rather than tiresome. The days are short and the nights are long, but not yet as impossibly dark as winter.

I like gathering warm blankets, dusting off my knitting needles, and bringing home pies (or baking them if I get the chance!) to eat with hot custard. I view autumn as the time to make your home as cozy a place as you can before winter sets in, and a time to hibernate and recuperate after a busy year.

Wherever you are, I wish you plenty of autumnal cheer!