5 Steps for a Simple Autumn

A simple autumn seems like a good idea. I look around as summer is cooling down and the days are a little shorter. There are piles of towels in the laundry, wetsuits and swimming togs on the washing line, goggles and bags. It will be good to move into autumn and put some of these things away.

5 steps for a simple autumn

• Observe nature: let nature be the teacher;
• Make small changes;
• Try a Meal Flow Plan;
• Prioritise the simple things;
• Declutter with the seasons.

1. Let Nature Be the Teacher

You can begin by observing nature and be inspired by the little changes. The leaves are changing colour and the garden is simplifying itself to be ready for winter. This is a good time for me outside with my husband and children, pruning bushes and trees, raking leaves, picking fruit.

Then all the garden work will go quiet for a few months while we enjoy the mountains and the snow.

While nature sets the pace outside, I think I will mirror that inside and in our routine. We are taking more time to just sit around and enjoy the quiet time after all the summer adventures. I have tried to figure out a meal plan that will give me more time. I have spent ages on this and come up with nothing in particular so see my ideas for a meal flow down below.

2. Make small changes

Autumn is a good time to be outside in a more simple way. It doesn’t take so much organisation or equipment to get outdoors in autumn. So as soon as the sun is warm enough we head out to enjoy something close by. We can just be out walking, be down by the river to play, or out for a bike ride, and then home for lunch.

The afternoons are so good at home and it is easy to stop and take some time while being out in the garden. If it rains then it is the perfect time to be inside, light the fire or some candles, and put away some of the summer things that are still out.

Now the evening is where autumn has it all. I love long summer evenings but when we start to get tired, along come the cosy evenings of autumn. After dinner we can enjoy being at home, lighting the fire and spending time together. We can watch the stars because the sky is finally dark. The evenings can be a time for own projects or getting ready for the next day. The evenings they can be a special time together that we have planned, movie nights and slow cooked meals are two of our favourites.

Holidays and the Easter Season

The Easter season is the time when autumn becomes the most striking and nature so beautiful. It is a good time for simplification and for giving to friends and family. I like to make pumpkin pie and invite neighbours over for a cup of tea and a chance to catch up. This gluten free pie made with coconut cream is delicious and everyone is happy to try a slice. I can usually persuade someone to try it, even though pumpkin pie is not something typically eaten around here. It is fun to try something new. https://mynaturalcottage.com/2022/11/29/best-ever-gluten-free-homemade-pumpkin-pie/

3. A Simple Autumn Meal Flow Plan

I haven’t come up with a meal plan that I can follow every week. Instead, I have come up with the meal flow plan. It keeps the grocery shopping trips to a minimum and means we can always have something almost ready for a meal.

I have some grocery items I buy together as I can make meals for several days from different combinations. One example is a whole chicken which I buy with sweet potoates, potatoes, carrots, onions, bacon, tinned tomatoes and beans. These can become:

• roast chicken pieces with roast vegetables;
• tomato and bacon soup;
• diced chicken breast in curry;
• or fried with vegetables and rice;
• chicken stock.

I buy a whole chicken and debone it so that I get at least four meals out of one chicken. You can look on this page to see how to debone a whole chicken https://mynaturalcottage.com/2023/06/23/how-to-debone-a-chicken-in-5-steps/

I typically buy fruit and vegetables in season, whatever is in abundance. It tastes the best and is just what we need to eat. So, carrots, onions, sweet potato, pumpkin, potatoes, beans, tinned tomatoes, are always on the shopping list in autumn and winter. That is until I can grow my own.

In the autumn we have plenty of apples from our tree and foraged blackberries for apple crumble and blackberry jam.

4. Prioritise the Simple Things

What are my priorities? I like writing. I have chores to do, a dog to walk. There are meals to be prepared. And we have lessons.

It is a busy time for our family too with afternoon activities for the children. That leaves me the morning and early afternoon for to get everything done that I want to do. It is usually my morning time that gets sacrificed when we get busy.

I try to keep the homeschooling for the early afternoon as it suits us all. I have definitely noticed that instead of transitioning to a new routine I am suddenly running late for afternoon classes and feeling like I have too much to do. It can feel like I have to make myself stop and take time to get my priorities sorted. I like writing with a cup of tea next to me.

5. Declutter with the Seasons

So, for inspiration I have been watching the trees and autumn plants, as well as the birds. The middle of the day is when the birds are most active. It also seems to be a good time for me to be busy and focus on food and cooking. For example, one day I will pick some of our fruit or vegetables, and the next day cook or preserve them.

Autumn is a great time to give away some of our honey and any extra fruit or vegetables from the garden. The neighbours do the same and I love getting local, homegrown produce. Plus it is a wonderful way to catch up with everyone after a busy summer.

The trees are losing their leaves. As I put the summer things away, I am also looking for the opportunity to give away anything we have not used or grown out of over the summer. But, as the trees do not lose their leaves all on one day, so I can take my time over the next few months too.

And Finally; An Opportunity to Try Something Different

Talking to people who are starting a new venture can be inspiring and gives me motivation to do the something on a small scale. Our children are often inpired by hearing these creative stories. Later on they talk about their own ideas for growing, making or creating things.

Maybe try making some home made beeswax candles https://mynaturalcottage.com/2024/05/07/homemade-beeswax-tealight-candles/

I don’t know about foraging for mushrooms so I won’t eat them. But, there are some locals around here starting new businesses growing different foods, including mushrooms. I am keen to find out what is near by so that I can cook something seasonal and learn something new at the same time.

Why I love Autumn; Simple Days and Cosy Evenings

When we enjoy a simple autumn day or even a small part of each day, it adds up to how we enjoy life. So go ahead and choose one part of the day to imitate nature and find the joy. We can simply enjoy the balance of night and day. We can get outside and enjoy the sun without the heat of summer and look forward to a cosy evening inside.

Let me know what you do to simplify your days and your enjoyable moments in each season. I would love to hear your ideas.