The Big Chill

As the weather edges towards cooling off, I am so glad that it's autumn at last. In the last year, as time has become more apparent and central to my life (something about getting older perhaps..), I've become increasingly obsessed with maximising what each season has to offer. Making and keeping traditions is something that I find grounding and I looked forward to introducing these to my life as a teenager. Childhood was full of moments defined by seasons, and I love the classics as much as the unorthodox, personal ones that I've shared with dear ones since leaving home. This year, we've already started planning a few special things (starting with the Easter long weekend), but I thought of some more tonight that definitely have their place in the forthcoming, chilly months.


One, plant the Icelandic poppy seeds that were a gift last autumn. This is really the last time to sow the seeds and poppies are my namesake after all..

Two, have some indulgent comfort food nights. We have a Christmas ham bone, frozen, for the first pea and ham soup of the season, plus I'd love to make fondue and pie (sweet and savoury of both - of course!).

Three, buy some quality running skins and refuse to have my fitness corrupted by cold weather or my toasty bed. I'd really like to be fit and healthy to try and ward off flu season..

Four, knit a chunky scarf in a bold wine or mustard or forest green. Emma has some beauties, and while I would jump at the chance to support her, I'm really not meant to be buying anything at all right now.

Five, find ways to pass winter nights without technology. I'm thinking board games, reading old magazines, getting to know new books and experimenting with records and my guitar.

Six, take a trip to the Hunter Valley. Some more friends have moved south and we are plotting to visit them and explore the highlands.

Seven, take the chance to learn some new things. Sim often introduces me to TED talks and the Khan academy has some awesome history sessions online too. We've done the French Revolution, but I'm really keen to do more of the early 20th Century.

Eight, drive north and enjoy the coast on a winter's day. I love the wind coming off the ocean, being warm under a blanket and how good everything tastes when its eaten amongst the elements. Fish and chips on the beach is what I should actually call this one..

Nine, have a Christmas In July-Bad Jumper party. I can't wait to crack out a llama jumper.

Ten, perfect my stewed apple recipe. My absolute favourite breakfast and dessert, really. Maple syrup with homemade vanilla extract and greek yoghurt, I think..

Eleven, branch out in terms of my personal style, without spending significant amounts of money. The more we have for Japan the better! Lately I've felt lacklustre and uninspired by the collections and trends coming up and I'm going to work on creatively exploring my own style instead.

Twelve, have an Easter egg hunt, as well as our second annual, Goon and Coon, mulled wine and cheese night. Last year was exceptional, and there are so many cheeses I can't wait to try.

Thirteen, drive to the Scenic Lookout that overlooks Byron Bay on the Pacific Highway in New South Wales. This is my favourite view in the whole of Australia and a cup of tea there on a freezing day is out of this world.

Fourteen, do some volunteer work at the RSPCA. I've been wanting to do this for ages and I finally have the time to help out some sweet kitties and puppies.

Fifteen, write some songs and have a little jam night with whoever is around. There are a few spoken word and poetry slams that welcome this too, so it would be rad to explore these and make a night of it.


How do you feel about the cooler months ahead? I know some people are thinking about whether they can hibernate all winter long..

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