Every leaf speaks bliss to me / Fluttering from the autumn tree. -Emily Brontë, "Fall, leaves, fall"
My earliest memories of fall are of my family. In my mind, my mother—all bundled up in her seemingly endless array of seasonal sweaters—is still perpetually watching my cousins play football in the front yard. My father is tending to his autumn garden—turnips and violas and pansies just beginning to sprout up all around him, washing him in a panorama of colorful joy. My siblings—piles of Halloween candy sprawled on the den floor—are cozied up by the fireplace, trading their treats with careful deliberation ("three Laffy Taffy's for a Hershey's snack bar"; "a packet of Skittles for a Twix"). I remember hugging my uncle on Thanksgiving morning, traipsing through the haunted corn maize with my childhood best friends, never winning the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest . . . Most of all, I remember the bliss that I felt watching this all unfold, these moments of togetherness—of life in its purest form—that seemed to happen most when everything around us was dying. So, it's no surprise why this season has seeped into my skin, has become a fibre of my very being.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 🍂 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
I hope you all had a splendid first week of fall, filled with quiet reflection and all of your favorite seasonal rituals. I, for one, have been quite the autumn fairy, reading slasher books and drinking festive beverages whenever the opportunity arises. Just yesterday morning, I followed a pumpkin chai latte recipe, which certainly put Starbucks to shame. I highly recommend replicating it. There's just something about making and enjoying a cup of warm nourishment—every ingredient mixed with care, every drop savored with gratitude—that, for me, is sweeter than the store-bought version. Anywho, that's one celebratory checkmark on the bucket list for me!
Speaking of the bucket list, if you'd like to participate in it, I highly recommend printing it out and hanging it someplace you're sure to see it. That way, you'll be more inclined to complete the activities, and therefore more likely to win the seasonal surprise! Remember, you're only eligible to win if you post picture receipts of your autumnal escapades on Covenstead. All games aside, though, the true goal of the bucket list is to ensure that we all make the most of these few fleeting fall months. So, have fun with it!
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 🍂 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
This past weekend, I went on a road-trip to Kansas City for a birthday celebration. Immediately upon entering the city, our crew was enveloped in a sixty degree hug—the most magical autumnal welcome. We ventured to the farmers market on Saturday morning, where we were met with a parade of Jack Skellington painted pumpkins, a truckload of festive fruit, and bountiful bouquets of Black-eyed Susans. I can't imagine a more perfect start to the season. I uploaded a farmers market photo to Covenstead (along with a couple other new photos) if you want to give the page a peek.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 🍂 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
This week, I have for you some Youtube video suggestions that I hope you'll find just as enchanting as I do. Designed to simulate various autumnal scenarios, these videos are perfect to put on in the background while decorating your living room or reading a spooky book. Whether you prefer listening to jazz in a quiet cafe or lying in a forest filled with birdsong, I've found footage for just about every fall disposition. Listed below are five of my favorites, but keep in mind there's tons more on Youtube. And while we're talking about background music, don't forget to check out last week's playlist, "Vintage Vibrations."
I also recommend checking out our Pinterest account if you haven't already. It's filled with heaps of fall inspiration, so if you haven't yet gotten into the autumn spirit, it just might be the push you need!
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ 🍂 ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Coming Next Week
Don't forget, we update this website regularly, and upload new additions—especially on Thursdays. Next week, get excited for . . .
"Witchy Woman" Playlist
Book Recommendations
Recipe Inspiration
& more
Until next week, stay cozy.
With warmth and whimsy,
Cat
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