Autumn is my favourite time of year.

Unlike other seasons, it announces its arrival. You know its on its way as the days gradually shorten and then early one morning you step outside and feel  a distinct coolness, a certain crispness in the air. You realise the summer blooms have gone for another year as the garden slips quietly to sleep.   The fallen leaves tell you that Autumn is here…time to say goodbye to summer and embrace this glorious season.

Autumn, for me, is an inspirational season full of things that make me happy – a season to enjoy the great outdoors, beauty in nature  and create some cosiness in the home and with family. Or as the Danish call it – hygge (pronounced hue ga). 

Here are just a few of the things I love about this season. I’d love to hear your thoughts too.

I’ve recently been reading The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (the lady being Edith Holden, more info below) and I came across this poem that she had written in her diary at the beginning of October. The poem is by William Allingham..an Irish poet.

I think it sums up Autumn perfectly. I hope you enjoy.

‘Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods,

And day by day the dead leaves fall and melt,

And night by night the monitory blast

Wails in the key-hole, telling how it pass’d

O’er empty fields, or upland solitudes,

Or grim, wide wave, and now the power is felt

Of melancholy, tenderer in it’s moods

Than any joy indulgent Summer dealt’

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady is the diary of Edith Holden, a naturalist.  Written in 1906, the diary is a joy to read…beautifully illustrated with her paintings of flowers, bees, butterflies and birds as well as her own personal thoughts and favourite poems. I bought it in a charity bookshop for about £2 but it can still be bought on Amazon

If you would like to create more hygge in your life, you could also try reading The Art of Hygge– a lovely little book full of useful tips and recipes on creating Danish cosiness. Packed with inspiring images and quotes too.