Earlier this month, we were in Virginia for one of our several annual trips, and we missed fall. The season had technically begun, but we missed the fall everyone thinks about — colored leaves, crisp cornflower skies, cozy fireplaces crackling, the scent of pumpkin pie wafting from the kitchen. We missed fall in the Shenandoah Valley by two weeks. And so my long-awaited fall foliage tour is on hold for at least another year.

Back in Florida, it’s felt like fall on several days. Bright blue skies, a hint of chill in the air. I have to admit, my Autumn Wreath Yankee Candle has contributed a lot of the fall-ish-ness around here, though. My parents’ Chinese tallow trees will be red-leafed by Christmas, and here and there a brave maple waves flashes of burgundy in the air, but the other 99.999% of the trees in town are still fanning their palm fronds and pine needles, green as ever. So I’ll take fall leaves wherever I can find them. Even if it’s in the housewares section of a department store.
~ Laura