The Little List | Autumn 2026

That evening autumn light

It’s been some time since I shared a little list, but something about how busy life has been lately has me craving a little moment to pause and think about some of the little joys in our life right now. Today I have been reflecting on how I absolutely love that first moment when you actually feel autumn in the air. Piles of pumpkins have been available at every storefront for over six weeks now, but it isn’t until I start to feel the crispness in the morning air or succumb to the urge to light a candle while I cook something hearty for dinner that my fall-loving heart lights up.

At this time last year we were still knee-deep into the renovation of our new home. It was the last sprint in a long journey of our family being quite physically unsettled and even though there were things about that autumn season that I wanted to take part in, I was admittedly pretty focussed on getting through the season for the sake of making it to the next. This year is very different. I want to partake and relish in all the pleasures of this time of year. In the oft over-quoted — but perfectly appropriate — words of L.M. Montgomery as Anne Shirley, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

There are so many things I could say about this season, what we’ve already been up to, and what we would love to still do. This is my favorite season after all. But these are a few of the little things that are front of mind right now, half way through this glorious season.

Picking out pumpkins at our farmer’s market

Planting our tulip bulbs in anticipation of seasons to come

What I’m Cooking (and Eating)

Hands down, one of the main reasons I love this season is because of the food and flavors. I love how the shift in season brings with it a draw towards slower-cooked meals that fill your home with warm comforting aromas as they simmer. I tend to gravitate towards soups and simple meals that you can start and leave to do their thing as the afternoon carries on. I recently made a big batch of this delicious Curry Lentil Soup (it’s so good!) and this Harvest Squash Soup has long been a favorite around here. This simple pot roast recipe is so rich and flavorful, but takes almost no effort to get started. I’m not usually a huge fan of crockpot meals, but this slow-cooker recipe for Mongolian Beef served over rice or ramen is one of our favorite weeknight meals when we have gymnastics and other activities to get out the door for. We’re also still hanging on to some grilling before the temperatures drop too low and this simple grilled chicken marinade is one I come back to over and over again.

Next let’s talk treats. About a month ago, we took a Saturday day trip to Charlottesville and popped into a Wegmans. Our girls loved the cookie bar and I couldn’t resist picking out a treat for myself too. I primarily eat gluten-free so I was excited to try one of their gluten-free sugar cookies. It was delicious. I’ve been thinking about it ever since and have it on my list to make a batch of this recipe with the girls. We even picked up some pretty fall sprinkles to adorn them with. And speaking of baking, the girls have loved helping me in the kitchen as we try various recipes, including making gluten-free apple crisp and this easy apple cake with fresh local apples.

Experimenting with grilled seasoned sweet corn

What I’m Reading

Once the temperatures drop and the sun goes down a little earlier, I love to get ready for bed with my girls and then curl up to read in my own bed once we tuck them into theirs. My current evening read is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein and something about it just hitting all the autumn notes for me. Once I wrap that up, I’m considering picking up Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. In the past couple of years I have really grown in my appreciation for classic literature and this one has long been on my list to read. I personally don’t like to be spooked, but if you like that kind of thing in October, I definitely recommend you read Dracula by Bram Stoker. Man, that was a book I never imagined myself enjoying but I still think about it regularly. When I’m in the mood for something a little more intentional and thought-provoking, I am also slowly working my way through Sacred Dwelling: A Spirituality of Family Life by Wendy M. Wright.

The girls and I are working through The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis as our read-aloud this homeschool year and we are currently on The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. It has been so fun to re-read and re-live these books with them. They ask me to keep reading past our daily chapter nearly every single day! A few other honorable mentions that we have been enjoying together include The Story Orchestra: Four Seasons In One Day and the page-a-day Courageous World Changers.

What I’m Listening To

I’m always listening to various podcasts, but one I have particularly been enjoying lately is the Daily Rosary Meditations podcast series by Dr. Mike Scherschligt on regaining our fractured attention. I like to listen to the daily 25-30 minute episode as my prayer companion on my morning walk and it’s amazing how that small moment of peace can help regulate my whole day. It has been a true blessing. If I can manage to set the tone of the house before everyone awakes, I also like to quietly listen to these acoustic worship sessions in the kitchen first thing in the morning. This peaceful hymn session is currently my favorite.

What I’m Watching

I’m not usually watching much by way of movies or television, but I am definitely taking in all the fall content from some of my favorite YouTubers. I have been absolutely loving Healthy Elizabeth’s fall cooking inspiration and was so inspired by Becca Bristow’s recent video about homemade immunity support. I was also recently inspired by Andrea’s pleated lampshade project and think I may have some home crafts in my own future! The only other program on my watch list is this: football. We have been thoroughly enjoying our Sunday night football dinner tradition, which is essentially a casual appetizer dinner enjoyed around the ottomans in the living room with the game on the television. It’s so cozy and a pillar in our week.

The best kitchen helpers chopping apples for a quadruple batch of apple crisp (for a crowd)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

What I’m Prioritizing

At this time of year, one of the foremost things on my mind (for better or worse) is that sick season has entered the chat. We have gone through some really difficult seasons of illness with our girls in the past and since then I am always looking for ways to prioritize strengthening their immune systems. Besides trying to just live a generally healthy lifestyle, we also recently started using this bee propolis throat spray and include a drop of liquid Vitamin C with their breakfast. I also keep these probiotic tablets on hand for days when their digestive systems need a little bit of extra support.

We have done some major projects at the house over the past year that have gone a long way in making it feel more our own, but lately I am finding myself craving smaller, mini projects. I made a master list on note paper of all the little things I want to accomplish, like painting random pieces of furniture, planting spring bulbs in the garden, and hanging wall shelves in the girls’ room. It almost feels like I’m carrying a nesting energy (but no, I’m not pregnant).

Finally, I already mentioned how much I love the crispness in the air that comes along with autumn. One last thing I have been prioritizing is getting up and going for a walk first thing in the morning, often getting started before the sun even comes up. My walk only usually lasts about half an hour, but the fresh air wakes me up and starts me off on the right foot. I have found myself feeling way more regulated throughout the day and I think I can thank my morning walk of fresh air for that.

Crafting some kitty paws for someone’s Halloween costume

Keeping our fall decor very simple around the house

What I’m Loving

Pretty much everything I have been loving is a result of the temperatures dropping. I seem to have it in my head that we need more and more throw blankets for our living room and have picked up a few good ones from TJ Maxx and Home Goods, but am probably most excited for the one I am currently crocheting. I have been following this free pattern and it works up so quickly. The need to be cozy has also translated to my clothing. I added this lightweight jacket to my wardrobe and have been wearing these black jeans with a cardigan (I have both chocolate and oatmeal) and sneakers on repeat. A while ago, we traded out our Keurig for a basic coffee maker and I can’t even tell you how much I have loved the morning ritual of making a pot of coffee. We mostly drink this medium roast from Black Rifle Coffee (it’s so good!) and even tend to make a second pot on some days. Any coffee that is left over gets stored in a mason jar in the fridge and makes the perfect iced coffee to top with homemade pumpkin spice cold foam.

What I’m Thinking About

Lately I have been reflecting a lot on hosting and hospitality. I really love to serve people through my home and have felt a draw towards being more intentional about inviting people in. When I look back at where we were last year at this time compared to where we are now, I feel so much gratitude that we have developed great friendships with people, but I know that there are ways we can be more intentional about this. The other day I received my copy of the Fall/Holiday issue of Homemaker’s Journal and have already pored through it three times. I’m feeling so inspired and know this is the perfect time to invite others in.

By this point, we are settled into our homeschool routine and part of that has been participating in a co-op. I have been teaching middle school art classes each Friday morning and besides finding it surprisingly fun, I have also felt newly inspired to dive back into printmaking again. I think I may make it my winter goal to start up a small art practice again. Not for any purpose, but just to explore, play, and be creative.

Happy pumpkins across our porch

I’ll finish with this simple poem, Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson, that brought me a moment of joyful pause as I read it to the girls the other day —

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!

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