Teach me to love autumn and winter....

[eggcustard1]

I adore spring and summer with the outdoor life, lighter nights and mornings etc. I have always felt gloomy as darker nights descend, everywhere is cold, the bills are so high as we have the heating and lights on etc. I feel like I don't want to go out in the evenings, does everyone else stay in all the time?

This year I want to learn to love Autumn and winter, otherwise I wish away half my year! What do you do with your time? Please
teach me how to enjoy this time of year............

[henpeckedinchief]

Autumn walks in woodland when the trees are turning and the air has that smoky crisp chill. Blackberries in the hedgerow, looking for acorns and pinecones. Getting cold and then warming up with a hot coffee in a cafe where the windows have fogged up.

That quality of light you only get in autumn, where the sun shines below the clouds and suddenly everything is hit with a wash of golden light and is intensely coloured.

Making apple pies scented with cinnamon, with pastry leaves around the edge. Apple and blackcurrant crumbles. Mushroom soup and hot baked potatoes.

Looking out for migrating geese

Snuggling up with a book and a blanket and a hot drink while awful weather howls outside

The scent of bonfires

Farmers markets stuffed with pumpkins and mushrooms, where you can buy a coffee and wander round and buy amazing autumn produce to cook with that night

Cold mornings where you get to stay snuggled up in bed

Christmas lights in all the towns

Driving past people's houses and seeing their Christmas trees through the windows

Cold winter walks followed by a pub lunch, sitting by the fire to warm up

Feeling no guilt tucking up on the sofa and watching films because it's cold outside

And finally a more practical solution as well - have you ever tried a SAD lamp? I always have mine on in winter when I do my makeup and it works wonders!