I’m ready for fall now. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer—especially now that I have a pool where I can cool off—but something happened to me last year and I went from someone who hadn’t been overly enthusiastic about autumn to a full-blown fall-o-holic. Maybe it had something to do with living in a country with seasons again after 8+ years in a tropical summer-all-year-round country? Or maybe I was just bewitched by the crisp fall air and the enchanting colors, who knows?

We’ve had a really hot summer this year in my part of Sweden, but lately, there have been quite a few, rainy days, and they have ignited my longing for autumn. I can’t wait for cooler temperatures, for the leaves changing color, for the cozy atmosphere of fall.

I can’t wait to build a fire in our two fireplaces in the new house. I can’t wait to brew a big, warming pot of tea and enjoy it in front of a sparkling fire. I can’t wait to make my chai syrup so I can drink a huge mug of chai latte while listening to the rain against my window. I can’t wait to light candles everywhere and cook a huge pot of yummy soup to warm up a frozen soul. I can’t wait to take a walk in the forest and sigh over how pretty the changing leaves are.

I can’t wait to curl up on the couch under my favorite soft blanket with a glass of deep red wine and a great book on my e-reader. I’m so excited about this that I actually made a fall-themed TBR; it currently has three books that I’m planning to read as soon as September hits. Wanna see?

Around Seven :: Falling Down :: All Hallows’ Eve

If you have any fall-themed book recommendations for me, drop them in the comments. The more autumn-y the better, but I’m mostly after the coziness of autumn, not the scary Halloween part. I want the leaves, the hot beverages, the sweaters, cuddling in front of the fire, lit candles, and romance. Most of all, I want the romance.

Let’s end this post with a fall-themed haiku, shall we?

Changed the red color,
Fallen on the tofu,
The leaf of the light crimson maple.

-Matsuo Basho