What have you started doing that tells you Autumn is coming?

[LuluBlakey1]

I realised today I am moving into Autumn mode. In the last week or so, I have been:
Making lentil soup for lunch
Making vegetable casseroles with beans and other pulses
Painting autumnal landscapes instead of summery scenes
Picked the apples from the tree
Closing the garden doors in the evening
Taking my waterproof hat when I go out walking
Bringing the cats in from the garden about 7.30pm
Put the heating on twice
Having a nice warm bath before bed
Wearing longer leggings so there is no gap around my ankles

My lambswool bed socks and sheepskin booties slippers have been on for the first time today. I can't bear cold ankles and will get my boots out of storage too, for the season ahead.

Had my winter sheepskin boots repaired and resoled. Well worth it as it saved me a fortune in not having to buy a new pair.
Boiler servicing and garden autumn clear up have both been done.
Blackberries harvested for the freezer for winter crumbles.
Flu and covid jabs booked.
Double glazing replacement for knackered upvc windows was completed earlier in the summer all ready for the colder weather.

Well I spent a couple of hours pruning my bay tree back to the lollipop shape I like it to have - I cover it with two sets of fairly lights at Christmas that have different flashing sequences - it's as good sturdy tree for Christmas lights. I didn't prune it earlier in the year so it had got a bit more out of hand than usual.

Next job to brutally cut back the buddleia. I need to strain the wood on the shed before the weather gets too wet - hasn't been done for over 5 years I guess.

I pre-ordered 3 more roses that I'll be planting in early November.

I haven't put the heating on at all yet - in fact the heating side of the boiler has been turned off for months.

I've not started cooking soups and stews yet.

I'll switch my breakfast back to porridge again as soon as I can't get the fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries that I usually eat with banana, Brazil nuts and dates added to a handful each of bran flakes, muesli and granola - this is what I eat for the warm half of the year. I have my porridge with some bran, wheatgerm and a bit of golden syrup for the cold part of the year.

I'm planning a trip to the Brontë Parsonage - I try to go every year around this time.

Bought one Christmas present already.

@TeaMistress I also have my flu jab booked but I have two UPVC windows that need resealing. My dog walking boots need a bit of attention... the cobblers are on my to-do list.

Apple pie
Butternut squash soup
Bought jumpers and hats

I’ve been trying to declutter so the house is a nice place to spend time in during the darkest months. Also been trawling Vinted for winter coats for the DC as last year’s will be too small now. And enjoying the cat deciding to come home earlier now it’s getting darker and colder. I never really relax until he is indoor safe and sound.

wearing a scarf. My neck often gets cold anyway but it is soon to be thick scarf weather. I have a lightweight, woollen scarf that will be stuck to me until the spring!

I've been putting my cardigan on and keeping the back door closed in the evenings. DH has decided that his tootsies are getting cold in bed and he's now got a throw on his side mainly because I pull the covers over onto my side and leave him without

The aircon at work knows something's up - it started blowing warm instead of cold today!😂

Ah sounds like it will be worth it once all the little jobs are done. I am hoping our upvc upgrades will improve energy efficiency and make the house warmer. Definitely try to get to the cobbler for walking boot repairs. Your tootsies will thank you when you are out walking the dog in colder weather. I'm going to try and get flu and covid jabs done at the same time, one in each arm.

Used my nerdy running light when out for a run in the evening

Started Christmas online shopping and research.

Soup at lunchtime

Wore a sweater and knee highs today.

Shutting doors in the evening.

Thinking where to put the house plants adorning my fire surround hearth

Socks in bed
blanket on the sofa
heated airer to finish drying off the washing (I’ll miss line drying!)
packed away summer clothes 😭

I've bought a new duvet.
Have planned a casserole for Friday.
Sorted out my coats, hats and scarves.
Made sure my jeans still fit!

Yes, I scan the stairs as I come up them and look in the corners of the room I’m in! 🕷
Did the summer/ winter clothes swap this afternoon and have washed the lounge fleece throws. My new M&S dressing gown (fluffy) and slippers (furry) arrived on Friday, and they’re lovely in the chilly evenings.
The electric blanket made it’s yearly debut tonight, I’m fed up with my freezing feet in bed!
The “c” 🧑‍🎄 word is being more often mentioned… it’s around 107 days away, and Bonfire Night just 8 weeks away! 😱
Where has the year gone???

All this talk of heating, and blankets and cosying up has surprised me. I'm in the Midlands, have the patio doors open, and am comfortable in PJ shorts and vest.

I work outdoors and am still wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

Slightly worried that my body's thermostat is broken!

Nothing really…not using the fan at night maybe 🤔 last week or so…and a sweater on the beach at sunset

Hibernating

I have changed the automatic lights timer thingie to start the lamps in the sitting room at 5.30pm rather than 7.30pm

I have gone looking for daffodil bulbs to plant for next spring

I have started shutting the kitchen window at night as otherwise the kitchen is freezing in the morning

and having read this thread, I'm going back into soup making mode

I am ashamed to admit the heating went on tonight. In September. This is a lovely thread!

Southern Hemisphere here, so its Spring hurrah! I am preparing by buying new sunbeds for the pool and also some new swimsuits. I am also oiling the garden furniture, cleaning the solar panels, getting a bug spray and washing the windows.

I'm generally a cold person so I'm already back in my snorkle since last week, I haven't broken out the hat or mittens yet for yard but it won't be too much longer, even my OH had the duvet over him last night & he is an *overheating buffalo usually & we had the heating on last night for a bit

*thanks to a previous mumsnetter who coined this phrase 😆

Made sure my jeans still fit!

This made me laugh, I wa literally like this two weeks ago just before school started, I was in joggers, lycra, leggings & pyjamas for most of our miserable summer! 😆

Alo planning a stew for this week... it's been months so the slow cooker is getting a dust off

Nothing yet but its forecast to be 11deg on Thursday so that will be interesting.

Fluffy dressing gown/socks been in use for most of the 'summer' as has the 15 tog duvet.
The 'winter' coat I bought last year was never put away and has been used since I bought it. The blankets on the sofa were never put away and used daily.
I have worn jeans and jumpers to work most days.
Summer has been shit this year and autumn seems to be a slightly darker version of the last few months 🤷‍♀️
I have made myself a little pumpkin display in my lounge to try and trick my brain into following the changing seasons but I don't think it has worked!

Put the duvet back on the bed..... keep waking up 🥶

This.

The weather is still mild in London, and September is when I do my big end-of-summer holiday.

Off to Rhodes in a few days. Back in late September.