Far from the pumpkin patches and cider filled days of my youth in Kentucky, fall in Nawlin's has a subtle distinction; a drop in humidity.
Short of eating caramel popcorn on the steps of my local Fresh Market, surrounding by hay bails and artisanal guards, I've adopted some Autumnal rituals to plug into the season.
““The saying ‘gratitude turns what you have into enough’ rings true. The trick is practicing a kind of thankfulness that isn’t based on time or place or circumstance. Even in the trails of life, if we have eyes to see them, we can find good things everywhere we look.” -Joanna Gaines ”
Gratitude
The journey from your head to your heart can be a long one, but practicing gratitude will expand the love you give and feel. Start by listing 3 things you are grateful for everyday. Keep a journal by your bed, or share a post on social media. Create ripples!
gratitude list
1. In the face of tragedy, the many MORE faces of those helping. Click: Check out Nola's letter to Houston
2. Vintage finds and the sense of purpose in REPURPOSING!
3. The way you FEEL when you GIVE a really, really good GIFT.
4. Creativity, in endless supply.
5. READERS, folks that care about community and building it!
Explore
September weekends call for fleamarket finds! Take a dive into the unexpected whimsy right on 1209 Decatur street. From original artwork to Mardi Gras Indian costumes, this place is chock full of finds to repurpose and curate!
bake
There is nothing like the aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin wafting from the oven to get you in the mood for Fall. I am sharing a mom favorite. She pulled this one out for every family, school and community function.
Frosted Pumpkin Bars
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 cup salad oil
4 eggs – beaten
1 cup cooked pumpkin
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine flour, spice, and salt.
In separate bowl mix sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin
Stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture
Beat well
Add pecans
Pour into well-greased cake pan
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes
Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese
1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
decorate
Decor is my fondest touchstone of the season. From the hand crafted corn husk dollies of my childhood to the pierced copper pumpkins votives that line my table, I love to imbue my space with the symbols of the approaching holiday!
