Happily Headed into Autumn

The fall season is always a welcome part of the year. I wish I could tell you that I love summer and want it to go on longer but the truth of the matter is that with all of the extreme temperatures we now experience it’s always a bit of relief to see those cooler weather patterns emerge.

When I moved from the West to the East Coast many years past, I discovered that this season in particular is celebrated in a way that I never experienced before. Most neighborhoods have some nod to the season with cozy decorations on the front lawn. You know it’s time for sweaters and hot coco when every market has a welcoming display of potted chrysanthemums at the entrance to the store.

To me, this time of year represents a calming lull where the busyness and long days of summer are now fading out and making way for a slowing down and ease. The air brings in a sweet cool breeze and it’s truly delightful to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as you revel in the glowing beauty of the golden bronze falling leaves that are to come.

I have personally marked the season by making a yearly tradition of at least two mums flanking my front door. They are so bright and cheerful and such a unique flower with their rounded and robust look. I was reading up on this celebrated flower and it’s rich history, surprised with what I found.

Hershey Gardens has a wonderful read available on the chrysanthemum, otherwise known as the “mum”. While the mum has become the symbolic flower for the fall and late summer it was actually first cultivated in 15th Century B.C. China and used as a medicinal herb. The colorful leaves were boiled and believed to help with various physical aliments such as headaches.

This year I brought out just a few thrifted pieces that I find rustic and easy to place in the entrance way. I’ve succumbed to the temptation and had to purchase a few of these colorful beauties from my local market but the weather has turned and well, there’s no time like the present!