Ten reasons I love autumn

Autumn is a special time of the year for me. A time of drawing inwards and getting cosy (weather permitting).  I look forward to it with exaggerated anticipation, glad that summer will soon become a distant memory. So, although it's still warm, I thought that today would be as good a day as any to share ten of the reasons why I love autumn.

Ten reasons I love autumn

1.  My creativity increases by 500%. Okay, that's slightly over the top but there's no denying that all the words that eluded me during the lethargic summers months now come pouring out of me and I'm loving it.
2. I can spend time gardening again without having to deal with pesky insects and copious amounts of perspiration.
   
   
   
3. It's cool enough to cook soups and pies. Although I used to avoid making soups no matter what the season was, I have now become a convert since they are so easy to make. The same goes for pies. If you use pre-prepared pastry (in my case kindly made by my dear mum) they can be prepared in a jiffy.
4. I can finally wear jeans again (an article of clothing that I completely avoid between June and September) and sweater weather is on the horizon. I love chunky knits. And beanies. How can I forget beanies?
   
   
   
5. That very peculiar smell of damp soil and decaying carob pods is back. It's not the most pleasant of smells but it's a very 'Maltese' autumn scent.
6. It's the perfect time to light our cinnamon, pumpkin or apple-scented candles. I absolutely love these:  Autumn Leaves and Spiced Pumpkin. Do you change your candles according to the season? It's something I started doing last year and I think it really enhances the mood inside our house. 
   
      
7. Life is back to an established routine. Summer is perfect for spontaneity but I prefer the more tempered days of autumn that are made even more special by cosy family evenings - which means I read non-stop curled inside a fluffy blanket.
8. I get to satisfy my craving for  Dead Man's Bones. Although this may sound alarming, Dead Man's Bones are a type of pastry made from a sweet dough with an almond filling that is traditionally eaten on or around the feast of All Souls' Day that is celebrated in different ways in many countries around the world, like La Fiera dei Morti in nearby Siciliy and the more famous La Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. A bit morbid, perhaps, but these sweet concoctions are delicious and a rare treat since they are not available year round.
   
   
   
9. The sea will be moody and temperamental again and I can spend time chasing waves.
10. Christmas, my favourite time of the year, with its plethora of activities and Christmas markets, is just round the corner. 
    

I wish I could add that I look forward to the trees turning colour but they don't do that here. Only the vines do and it doesn't happen every year as it depends on the weather conditions. So none of the photos in this post are taken locally. They are from our trip to Tuscany in October 2021.

Location: Tuscany, Italy (October 2021)