Autumnal Pastimes
BY LUCIA E. KAELIN
PHOTO: ERIK ABZINOVS
AUTUMN IS UPON US!
INDULGE YOURSELF IN THE RELAXING DIVERSIONS OF THE AUTUMN SEASON
GO APPLE PICKING
There’s nothing quite like biting into a beautifully crisp apple. Find a nearby orchard and pick your favorite varieties! (Legally, of course...unless you actively desire to be an apple thief...we don’t judge)
ENJOY THE SOUNDS OF NATURE
Go for a walk, get your blood pumping, and enjoy that musical sound of leaves crunching under your feet. We suggest going on a hike somewhere - there’s almost always an abundance of leaves, twigs, and branches that crunch in the forest.
NATURAL ARTWORK
If you’ve had your fill of experiencing nature firsthand, why not use it to make art? Try something simple, like leaf rubbings. They’re incredibly simple, but there is something so fulfilling about seeing the beautiful shapes and colors appear, (as if by magic?), no matter what age you are. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, create a wreath using only materials from outside.
USE GOURDS AS DECORATION
Pumpkins, squashes, gourds, oh my! The American Girl’s Handy Book, originally published in 1887, declares that the autumn gourd’s “odd and fantastic [form] seem[s] like nature’s suggestions of the unique in ornamentation. (Beard, 210)” How true this is...the gourd is uniquely versatile in that it serves as both food, and as beautiful decoration! If one desires the “harvest” feel, to have gourds strewn about the house is truly the peak of interior design
READ BY THE FIRE
C. S. Lewis said “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me”, and we at Old World Magic agree wholeheartedly. In fact, we think that one of the best autumnal pastimes is reading for pure enjoyment. Find some perfect fall ambiance around a crackling fire, sipping on your favorite tea.
ROAST NUTS
The delicious tradition of chestnut roasting has a bit of a sad story. It used to be a very common pastime (and it’s still a scrumptious way to enjoy the cooler weather), but America chestnut trees began to go extinct at the turn of the century. Nowadays, the only chestnuts we have access to here in the states are imported. We can still enjoy them though! Enjoy this recipe for delicious roasted chestnuts, sure to bring some autumn warmth into your day.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTUMN ACTIVITIES? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS - WE'D LOVE TO FIND OUT!
CRAVING MORE AUTUMN THEMED GOODNESS? BE SURE TO RESERVE YOUR AUTUMN POTION BOX NOW!
