Make our own delight: Autumn version

store-bought is fine

It’s still warm (I’m being generous; it’s hot) where I live and doesn’t feel much like fall. Not a problem! I create my own fall, using a powerful childhood tool: pretend like.

Since I pretend like it’s fall, I get to create my own version. Like, Stars Hollow has nothing on me.

In my pretend like world, the air is as sweet and invigorating as a Honeycrisp apple. Golden, honeyed, and russet leaves fall and the “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” music plays in the background.

1. mantle view; 2. morning color play; 3. this picture hung in my grandparents house for years; 4. homegrown zinnias; 5. piles of seasonal gourds hate to see me coming; 6. sketchbooks to capture fall feelings; 7. Highway 12, Mississippi, 1984; 8. around here; 9. cinnamon: The official spice of fall

To get your autumn on:

It seems simple (Well. It’s not not simple) but it’s still effective:

Collect a few leaves. The more pronounced the veins, the better.

Take any old paint – craft paint, even house paint – and brush on the back sideof the leaves. Use a few colors that don’t necessarily shout “fall,” like lavender or mint green.

Press the leaves onto old book paper, a Kraft paper bag, or printer paper. Lift the leaf, reposition and press again. You can paint a different color on that same leaf and get a similar but different effect. It’s fun!

I’d love to see the things that make you feel like you live in an autumn wonderland – please tag me if you share on IG.