Things That Are Bringing Me Joy This Fall

Things That Are Bringing Me Joy This Fall

One of my favorite things about fall in New Hampshire is the way the season invites us to slow down and enjoy some of the simple things in life. The beautiful colors, cooler temperatures, and cozy evenings at home are just a few of the things I look forward to every year.

This fall has been especially full, with family weddings, time with my kids, and plenty of fall favorites to enjoy along the way. I thought it would be fun to share a few of the things that are bringing me joy right now. Some are big things, and others are just little everyday pleasures, but they're all making this season a little sweeter.

Fall Leaves

The foliage has been so beautiful here in New Hampshire! From the bright pinks and reds to the more subdued rusts and browns, the colors have been gorgeous.

One of my favorite things is going for a walk in the morning when there's still a little fog hanging over the lake and the bright leaves are peeking through. It's such a beautiful way to start the day, and I love getting outside to enjoy the changing seasons.

Family

This has been an unusual fall for our family. My son is in his senior year of college, my nephew got married on October 10, and my niece is getting married tomorrow!

My son flew home for my nephew's wedding because he was a groomsman, and now he's hitching a ride with my brother and his family to come home for my niece's wedding. Usually, I wouldn't see him until Christmas, so I'm SO excited that I get to see him twice in one month!

And having two weddings in one month is quite a feat that my sister is pulling off! It's been wonderful to spend time with family at all the festivities surrounding both weddings and to share in the joy of welcoming two amazing people into our family.

I'm grateful for the time together and all the memories we're making.

Fall Diffuser Blends

I love the smells of fall so much! My diffusers have been running nonstop with some of my favorite fall blends, and I love how cozy they make my house smell.

Here are a few blends I've been enjoying lately. If you have a diffuser, give one of these a try!

Fall Festival

4 drops Thieves

3 drops Orange

2 drops Clove

1 drop Grapefruit

Autumn Air

3 drops Peppermint

4 drops Christmas Spirit

Grateful

3 drops Christmas Spirit

2 drops Orange

2 drops Grapefruit

2 drops Bergamot

Crisp Fall Morning

4 drops Orange

3 drops Peppermint

1 drop Cinnamon Bark

Warm Vanilla Spice

3 drops Vanilla

3 drops Clove

2 drops Ginger

Cozy Flannel

4 drops Pine

2 drops Vanilla

2 drops Orange

You really can't go wrong with Thieves essential oil blend if you love those warm, spicy fall scents. I enjoy it all by itself, too!

I'm particular about the essential oils I use in my home, and I choose oils from a company I trust. If you'd like to learn more about the ones I use, you can find them here: Young Living.

Soup Season

I LOVE soup! I eat it year-round, but I make it much less often during the summer. Once fall arrives, though, I'm in full soup mode!

Soup is one of my favorite ways to make a healthy meal without making things too complicated. I often make a big batch so I have leftovers for lunches or another dinner. That comes in especially handy during a busy season like this one.

Here are some of my favorite soups and chilis. I've linked to the recipes so you can check them out, too!

Leftover Roasted Vegetable Chicken Soup: I made this one for my nephew's wedding to serve at their soup bar!

Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup: A great option when you want a comforting meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

Creamy Leek and Salmon Soup: Something a little different if you're looking to change up your usual soup rotation.

Easy Paleo Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: This is a fun way to enjoy chili with a little twist!

I love having a few favorite recipes I can come back to when the weather cools down. There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup on a chilly fall day!

Choosing Christmas Music

I know, I know. It's not even Halloween yet, and I'm already working on Christmas music in my piano studio!

But there's only a small window of time for students to learn their Christmas music. We start early so everyone is ready for our Holiday Performance Class on December 10th and has plenty of music to enjoy playing over Christmas.

Christmas music is some of my favorite music, and there never seems to be enough time to listen to all of it! I love choosing pieces for my students and finding music they'll enjoy learning. It's especially fun when they love a piece just as much as I do.

So while the rest of the world might not be ready for Christmas music yet, it's already making its way into my piano studio. And I'm perfectly happy with that!

Cozy Sweaters

With the cooler temperatures, I've been pulling out my warmer clothes and some of my favorite sweaters.

I don't like to be cold, and there's nothing quite like pulling on a soft, warm sweater on a chilly fall day. Add a warm drink and a cozy evening at home, and I'm pretty happy!

It's a simple thing, but sometimes it's the little comforts that make a season enjoyable.

Enjoying the Little Things

These are just a few of the things bringing me joy this fall. Between the beautiful foliage, family celebrations, favorite fall scents, soup, music, and cozy sweaters, there is plenty to enjoy in this season of life.

Of course, life isn't always full of exciting events and happy moments. Some seasons are busy, some are exhausting, and some are simply ordinary. But I've come to appreciate how much the little things can add to our days.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to enjoy these things right now, and I'm trying to take the time to notice them rather than rush past them.

I hope you have a few little things bringing you joy this fall, too. Maybe it's a favorite seasonal recipe, a walk outside, time with people you love, or simply a cozy sweater on a cool day.

Sometimes the simplest things are worth celebrating.

I have created a few resources for anyone walking through grief. They are designed to help you navigate loss, process your feelings, and find hope again. You can find them in my Etsy shop here:

GRIEF JOURNAL FOR NAVIGATING LOSSHope in the mourning:A 30 Day Grief Journal Grief to Grace Mini Guide Scripture Cards for Grief