Can you believe it is already fall? I can! Today, our high is way down: projected to only be 91*! Fall is in the air! I hope you all have great autumns/falls!
I just got out my autumn/fall candles, and am working on finishing up the summer/spring remnants I have been using. I know I have mentioned (more like complained about!) the fact that we don’t have four distinct seasons. One of the things that I do to help make it more “season-ish” is to use different types of scents in the house during the four different seasons.
I don’t enjoy baking, but I do enjoy the scents of traditionally autumn baking smells. So, during this season, I use scents like banana nut bread and warm apple pie. Of course, this is quite misleading to those who don’t realize it’s not an actual pie they are smelling…
During the winter I use a lot of evergreen scents and in the summer/spring I use clean, lemony smells. My daughter isn’t crazy about the scents, so I don’t use them when she is home… which, unfortunately isn’t very often. (Although, she doesn’t mind the evergreen during the holidays, when we have our artificial tree up.)
I haven’t decorated my computer desk in a while, and am thinking about doing so for this fall season. My computer desk is an absolute mess right now… with five piles of reminder notes I have written to myself. I should probably go through those piles before thinking about putting up some seasonal stickers. The things I do to get the seasonal feelings I grew up with!
Do any of you have certain things you like to do to celebrate autumn/fall?
Petie says
I think most of all I love football (A&M) and Halloween when it comes to the autumn/fall. And Thanksgiving! And the scents you mentioned (apple pie & banana nut bread) sound yummy! Yep, now I’ve got to make my shopping list for holiday baking!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, my husband loves our new DirectTV>>> His falls/autumns are complete with the Cleveland Browns!
(My “flavored” breads come out of box mixes… Less time in the kitchen, but they still smell good!)
linda says
Me, I like those breads that are available in the freezer sections of most stores. These, a person just takes them out of the freezer, waits till they raise then bake! Smells just like my grandma’s house did!!!!! I also use the pumpkin bread and the banana nut breads from the boxes! Hey – I am retired!!!!!!!! I even buy the store bought frozen noodles. But I will take the time to cook my own chicken!!!!!!! What a woman, huh!!!! The smells are the same!!
I can’t take the scented candles for a very long time. This is one of the many things that will trigger a migraine!!
Vickie B says
We don’t really start decorating until closer to Halloween. DH will go into the crawlspace and pull out the containers of decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving on the first weekend of October. The decorations start out being placed all around the house, then the stuffed pumpkins and scarecrows somehow all end up in Lady K’s front room at a tea party or some such. Happens again at Christmas.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie, my “decorating” consists of putting a few autumn leaf stickers on my computer desk, so I have something to gaze at while sitting here pondering what to do next.
We have red tip bushes and Monterrey oaks, which do not change color or “shed” their leaves… so the closest I get to the oranges and golds is my desk!
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
I don’t do any decorating, but I do plant a fall garden. It’s almost as peaceful and fun as the spring garden. I always have such high hopes…and never know if it will freeze early! Onions can go in now in any case and will overwinter fine. But those new tomatoes…maybe or maybe not!
Lots of other yard work that makes it perfectly clear it is fall!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh, Man! I know I have said this to you before, Maria: I don’t know how you can enjoy going out in (+/-)95* weather to plant… not matter how good the onions and tomatoes!
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
This year has been…less than enjoyable. The tomatoes were really good for a couple of months and the winter lettuce phenomenal. But the summer temps killed my desire to garden. I pulled up tomato and cucumber plants very early this year.
The fall garden mostly went in during that slightly cooler week we had–where the mornings were in the 60s. Right now, I’m paying for it because it was back above 103. I had to go out this evening and water to cool the plants off. This whole week looks like I’ll be misting the plants. No fun. I do hope it feels worth it in a couple of months…but yeah. Harsh.
linda says
I love this time of year! There is so much going on!: The highschool, college and pro football games, the girls volleyball, crosscountry, the baseball playoffs and the world series, all of the fall festivals that we have here in this area. The neighbors decorating for the fall holidays!! The leaves and other plants changing colors, “Mother Nature” at her best! There is so much to do, just riding out into the country around here is so pretty and peaceful!
The temps are cool at night and warm during the day. I sat outside today with a sweater on reading Veronica Heley’s “False Money.” What a good book!
I love Veronica Heley’s characters in both of her series. I love Elli Quicke as well as Bea Abbot. I just wish these two ladies would get the guts to stand up for themselves with their daughter and daughter-in-law. Elli and Bea need to develop a backbone!!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Good grief, Linda! I won’t have to get out my light-weight jacket until sometime in late October! And, as for sweaters>>> I haven’t worn one of those in twenty years!
What you describe is autumn/fall at its best!
(And, thanks for giving us the heads-up about Veronica Heley having such good characters and writing such good mystery series!)
Ann says
I’m just happy we’re no longer in triple digits.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, the projected high for us today is 99*>>> Not quite the triple digits!
Susan says
I live in a place where autumn colors are in full riot by mid-October. It’s a wonderful time of year and we grew pumpkins in the garden to put on display now. Can’t wait for the first frost to kill all the mosquitoes breeding in the current damp and muggy weather though. Ugh.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
You are so lucky, Susan! When I visited my daughter in Massachusetts two Octobers ago, we went up to Salem. The colors were absolutely TOO beautiful. The pumpkins sound like a lot of seasonal fun, but the mosquitoes… not so much fun…
Charlene says
I’m so allergic to fragrances, I can’t burn candles in the house or have any of those phony air fresheners either. When I want those scents I put cinnamon, cloves & orange peel in a potpourri crockpot with some water and plug it in. I love it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Charlene, I love your idea of putting the cinnamon, cloves and orange peel in a crockpot. I actually use a coffeecup warmer and little tins (I bought from Michael’s) to “burn” my candles. I put the wax in the tins and put the tins on the coffeecup warmer, rather than actually burn my candles. But, I think I’m going to try your cinnamon concoction in my tins. I bet that would work.
(Good thing it’s not the 1980s now>>> when absolutely everybody wore perfume and aftershave. I bet that would wreak havoc with your allergies!)
Charlene says
Oh, and I’m from Texas so I totally understand what you’re saying about the seasons!!
Andie says
I live in southern California but in the “high” desert where we definitely have seasons. Yesterday it got up to 94° and we had thunderstorms with some quite heavy rain in the afternoon and evening.
Summer temps can get well over 100° F., the highest I have experienced since I moved here in ’88 was 118°. Winter temps can get into single digits but usually only down to the upper teens.
Several years ago we had a very cold experience with the “Siberian Express” when we had three nights of near-zero temps. We also occasionally get snow but only rarely significant amounts – it is always a news event because they invariable close the freeways.
I do a lot of baking so often have spicy scents permeating the house. I never use candles – I am just 20-some miles from the San Andreas fault and earthquakes on lesser faults are common and I don’t want a fire.
Low voltage cup warmers, holding a mug filled with a scented liquid (usually homemade – I don’t like the artificial ones) work quite well. I even have one on my desk that draws power from my USB hub.
A drop of vanilla extract on a light bulb (before it is turned on) can produce a lot of scent – and the same goes for the flavoring oils sold for candies, teas and baked goods.
If I want a clean, citrus flavor I grate the peel of one lemon and one orange, toss them in a skillet with just a little water and cook until the water has evaporated, then turn the heat off.
If you have ever made pickles, have you noticed that the aroma of the pickling syrup persists for hours after the jars have been sealed? If you like this aroma, just cook some, it’s not expensive and perfumes the entire house.
It’s like being in a spice market in some exotic city.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andie, I had no idea any place in California ever reached 118*. YIKES!
I should have mentioned that I “burn” my candles exactly the same way you use your scented liquid. I put the candle wax in a small tin and place it on a coffee warmer. I prefer soy wax candles, since they are easier to scoop the wax from. I never thought about using a food flavoring before, but I will probably try it in one of my (Michael’s) tins… probably just a few drops to a third cup of water would work.
(My neighbor gives me home-made pickles, but other than those, it’s store bought all the way for me. I don’t want my family “expecting” too much from me in the kitchen!)
Andie says
Last year and this year it has been relatively “cool” in that we only had two days of triple digit temps. 111 and 112° in early August.
My home is at 2760 ft altitude, which is why our summers are not as hot as in the low desert – Palm Springs, Indio, etc., and our winters are much colder.
The humidity is usually low so I rarely have to turn on the AC as I have “swamp coolers” (evaporative coolers) that work nicely when the humidity is below 50% – it is often below 20% in midsummer.
The flavorings I mentioned are the concentrated
LorAnn oils https://www.lorannoils.com/ which require only a couple of drops – instead of teaspoons – to flavor things.
I’m an avid (perhaps rabid) cook – my blog pretty much tells it all and I love experimenting with different flavors.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Andie, for the LorAnn oils information. I will spend some time looking at the site.
PS>>> I’ve never heard of “swamp coolers” before.
I guess I think of your neighboring states as the really hot ones… which is silly, since I drove with my daughter from Los Angeles to San Antonio a few summers ago. (She interned out at JPL and had to drive home. I was concerned about her driving that distance alone. Our son helped her drive out there.) I remember insisting that we had a case of bottled water in the trunk because of the intense heat.
Andie says
Swamp coolers use only a tiny fraction of the electricity that AC units draw so are a lot more economical. I’ve only turned the AC on 4 times this summer.
I have solar panels on the roof and if I don’t use AC, I don’t use any power from the grid.
After the power crises in 2000, I decided I was never again going to be at the mercy of manipulators.
Arizona state-wide is hotter than California state-wide, we still hold the record for the hottest temp recorded in the U.S.
Until his death, my dad lived in Deming, NM and I drove back and forth often, desert all the way! Always with plenty of extra water, solar screen blankets and a standard-size spare tire. I won’t drive with those “donut” spares.
Jackie says
I live in Texas too, and never missed the seasons until the extreme heat and drought this year. Too hot to bake so I understand using candles for scents – I do the same thing! I don’t even enjoy a book set in the winter when its so stinkin’ hot outside.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, it sounds like you at least enjoy baking during cold weather>>> not me! I don’t know if the lack of four seasons is the reason I enjoy seasonal Cozy Mysteries, but I am guessing that it is a factor. I like to save books set in “real winters” for our more-than-mild colder months…
Laura says
I am a Texan currently living in Latvia for most of the year, but we head home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Though Latvia is very beautiful and has lovely autumns, I can’t wait to be home with family for the holidays. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the colors, the scents, the cooler temperatures, family gatherings!
Scented candles feel festive and cozy on cool evenings. Colorful leaves, even though we may have to resort to silk ones in Texas, are great sprinkled on a table, used for a fall bouquet in a vase or basket, strung on a rustic twine or vine for a pretty garland, or hanging from a mobile so that they move with the slightest breeze. The perfect setting for curling up with a good book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laura, there really is nothing better than a family gathering.
And, thanks for all of the fall decorating ideas. I may just have to stock up on silk leaves at Michael’s! My children give me Michael’s gift certificates for most of our gift-giving holidays, and this is the time of year I absolutely love to take my time and just wander around the store.
(I bet you enjoy using the Eurorail a whole lot! I love watching British shows where the characters just get their passports and hop on a train to another country…)
Denise says
I am so ready for fall. I mean not just a day on the calendar that says it’s fall but real honest to goodness fall weather! I put up a fall wreath of leaves and gourds on my front door and two huge pumpkins on the front steps. I know it’s not October yet but as alot of you have stated it has been a long hot summer and maybe if I surround myself with fall things it will mentally make me feel like the weather is cooler. Or not.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Denise, one year I put up a fall wreath on my front door, and a few birds thought the berries were real and hit into the door! Needless to say, I had to retire that wreath.
You are not alone with your fall decorations. A lot of our neighbors have put their wreaths, mums, and pumpkins out also>>> probably for the same reason as you did. Unfortunately, I think you’re right with your: “Or not.”! It didn’t make me feel any cooler while walking up to our mail box yesterday…
linda says
Danna, A lot of people around my neck of the woods will attach dried corn cobs and similar things to old wreaths and hang these outside for the birds and squirrels to eat for the winter. If a person would do something like this during the winter months then chances are more different kinds of birds will appear during the warmer months.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I’m afraid that if I put dried corn cobs out in our yard, I’d attract skunks. Years ago, when this was a new development, we would see a lot of them roaming around. Now that the neighborhood has been around for a while, I don’t see them as often, but I do see them once in a while.
linda says
Danna, My sister’s 3 dogs got into a fight with a skunk this past week!!!!!!! Two dogs are shelties, one is a small pug! All 3 dogs had to be bathed several times in tomato juice!!!! YUK!!!!!!!!
Edie Dykeman says
Although I just spent a year in Texas, which totally threw me off the seasonal changes, I typically change several things to reflect the seasons. One thing I do is change the quilt my mother made for my bed. One side is old fashioned patchwork in blue and rose colors and the other side is light blue. Some years I’ve even used a thin, light spread for summer with the blue side of the quilt during spring and fall. I just changed it to the patchwork side for this winter last week.
I also use scents, change out pictures on the wall (I have way too many framed pictures), throw pillows (sometimes turn them around from the print side to plain), etc. I keep a good size box that holds the winter/summer items so I can have a different look for that particular season.
Then, of course, there are the fall and winter holidays that we enjoy decorating for, starting with Halloween and going through Easter in the Spring.
I’ve also been known to read cozies specific to the season just for the fun of it. In the winter I’ll have a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and maybe a peppermint stick and enjoy a winter-themed cozy mystery.
Over the years I’ve learned to enjoy living in a 4-season state like Michigan is. We also enjoy football throughout the fall and into February now with the Super Bowl and wear our favorite team colors. Keeps life interesting.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Edie, that is so neat that you have a quilt your mom made. How lucky for you! Love your idea of changing out throw pillows and pictures on the wall… a definite excuse to go get some more!
I know the slush and ice (not to mention the freezing cold) of Michigan have got to get old at the end of the winter season (and the beginning of spring) >>> but I guess the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves and the untouched snow on the ground comes with a price!
Paula says
If you’re looking for a good cozy, I just finished ‘Dropped Dead in Kona.’ It got some good reviews and I thought it was great. Waiting for the next one in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Paula, for telling us about Gerry Stimmler…
karen says
The first thing we do to celebrate Fall is make caramel apples! We are very fortunate to live in “apple country”. Our county kicks off the first day of Fall week with an Apple Festival. This year saw the 74th Apple Festival. At one time, our county was home to 50 orchards and boasted the 2nd largest apple production in the state. Unfortunately, only one orchard remains, but the Apple Festival will always usher in the Fall season with its aroma of baked goods(apple, of course!), apple butter made on the midway, and the largest lighted parade in the state. It’s always been an awesome beginning to the beautiful Fall season in Ohio!!!
Needless to say, I LOVE Sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen, while reading your comment, I absolutely “knew” I had to tell you about sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery! Of course, when I got to the bottom of your post, I absolutely “knew” that you already were one of Connolly’s many fans!
I bet it is absolutely beautiful in Ohio right now. My husband grew up there and still follows the Cleveland Browns, which has a lot to do with us having DirectTV now…
linda says
Karen, Caramel Apples and fall!!!!!!! My mother and grandmother would make caramel apples and pop corn balls for Trick-or-Treaters but because of all the spoil sports in the world today, those things can’t be given out anymore! What a shame when some people have to ruin other peoples’ fun, huh!
Margaret says
I change the scents in my home too. I use the plug in scented oils. I use the blends created for each season. I love to decorate inside and out. The outside went up Thursday so they would be ready for October 1. Inside decorations go up this weekend. I also start to watch more mysteries on DVD and TV. I also change my reading for the seasons and read season/holiday themed Cozies. Fall is my favorite of all seasons. I do as much as I can to make it as special as possible.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, I still haven’t decided whether I want to get all of the Halloween things out this year. We store all of the bins outside in the garage, and lately, it seems like it is more work just to get the bins inside than it is worth… (When our children were little, I never failed to get it all out… I should try to get myself motivated!!!)
As for the plug in scented oils>>> I have seen them in the stores, but never actually bought one. They would certainly be a lot less work than digging the soy wax out of the candle jars, filling the little craft tins, and then heating up the coffee warmers… Not to mention a whole lot less messy…
Margaret says
What I enjoy and helps me make Fall special are the Seasonal Movies. Yes, I know they are not Murder Mysteries but they are Mysteries in their own right. The Good Witch Series on Hallmark. I was so happy to see a new one for this year. I also love “The Edge of the Garden”; I just taped it along with “Oliver’s Ghost”. Both movies are touching little Autumn Mysteries. They go right along with the books I read this time of the year. This again is what I love about the Cozies I read. I like the seasonal theme and the colorful characters. I have even re-read some of them, although I do always look for new ones. Some characters (like you have mentioned elsewhere on the site) become like friends and I like to revisit them. Just like I can watch a movie several times.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, I just added your autumn movies to my taping queue. I am currently wearing a short-sleeved shirt, so I need some seasonal themed movies to get me into the autumnal feeling…