Finding Fall
The September Lookbook Support Blog
I don’t believe there is any sight more beautiful than the bright orange, gold, and red flames of fall foliage against the blue, blue Carolina sky. I moved to North Carolina in the spring, a decade and a half ago. The plentiful wildflowers, dogwoods, and crepe myrtles were enchanting, but it was the combination of turning leaves and that singular blue that really sealed this place as home for me.
September, October and early November are busy months here. At Replacements, we’re readying for our busy season, when up to 6,000 packages will roll out every day for two months. Greensboro experiences the hustle and bustle of the High Point Furniture market every October. Halloween is coming, and my kids will need shuttling between school activities and fall sports. Once that’s all done, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are peering over the horizon for our family, plus the many other November, December, and January holidays we celebrate with friends.
I actively seek out moments to stop and enjoy all the natural beauty of this season, along with its gifts of cool snaps and earlier twilights. I call it “finding my Fall.” If I can get dinner in the oven on time and make sure evening chores and homework are proceeding to plan, I love to slip out on the patio with a cup of tea for just a few minutes. That moment of quiet reflection, spiced tea, and the sound of my dogs crunching through the fallen leaves is a tiny wonder. I leave it fortified to wrap up the day with grace and gratitude.
As much as I enjoy those stolen moments in solitude, sharing autumn’s abundance is equally good for my soul. With everyone so busy, it can be difficult to connect with friends and family. Apple season is upon us, so if you’re within reach of an orchard you are indeed blessed. The first time we went apple picking, I bought far more fresh-pressed apple cider than any family could reasonably drink. It made a great excuse to gather friends and neighbors. We warmed a huge pot of cider with some cinnamon and sliced citrus, set out a cheese board, fresh fruit, and some bakery pastries and invited just about everyone to “drop in when you can.” We spent a lovely afternoon catching up and making both memories and plans. It’s become a September tradition I wouldn’t trade for anything, and entertaining doesn’t get any easier.
Fall produce is tailor-made for cozy, shareable meals. I love to put on a big pot of stew loaded with root vegetables or roast a pan of fall squash. When I can, I double up on my recipe and call a friend or neighbor to join us for supper. On the weekends, a batch of pumpkin bread or apple muffins keeps everyone smiling as we rush from errands to events. Once the summer tote bags of pool towels, water bottles, and bug repellant get filed away for the season, I like to set up my hot beverage station. Not only is it convenient for grabbing a coffee to go on a hectic morning, it’s perfect for those moments when I get some one-on-one time with one of my loves and we can settle in for a good, long, chat. When unexpected company drops by, I’m always ready with coffee, tea, and cocoa. If I’m really on top of things, I have a stash of those beautiful little crème-filled maple leaf cookies, but don’t tell my kids that.
I hope you’ll find some fall of your own this year. Take a minute to smell that first wisp of smoke on cool air and enjoy those new, longer shadows in the afternoon. Pick an apple and eat it right away and bake something warm to share. Wrap your hands around a mug, loop your arms around someone you love, and savor the season.
Julie R., Replacement's in-house product & design guru
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