Autumn arrived a few days ago with a noticeable nip in the air and I’m loving every second of it.

It’s so lovely to go to bed at night and actually want to cuddle under the feather quilt, to wake up in the morning and get cozy in warm flannels before that first cup of hot coffee.

The days are still deliciously warm but no longer sweltering, and it is blissful.

In addition to the arrival of Autumn, there are three things making me smile today:

One: Making Things With Bear

Bear is one of the cleverest chaps I know, and bit by bit he’s teaching me all sorts of skills from simple wood-working to using power tools. I’ve got my own toolbox that we’ve been filling with tools and I get quite a kick out of having my own hammer, wrench set, and power drill.

One of our latest projects was making a medieval stool. Bear designed it and we cut out the pieces and put it all together with wooden dowels. There’s not a single nail in use, but it’s sturdy as can be.

This weekend I finished putting my own stamp on it, wood-burning Viking runes and my own fanciful designs around the top. It delights me no end. Soon I’ll put on a coat of clear, matte varnish to protect the artwork and make sure it doesn’t fade.

wood burned stoolTwo: Quiet Breakfasts

I’ve been treating myself to leisurely breakfasts each morning before tackling my to-do list. It is exquisitely wonderful to sit quietly in the sunshine, luxuriating in the silence before the cacophony of the barnyard begins.

I linger over ripe, juicy nectarines and an extra large mug of coffee spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with real maple syrup, reading my latest books from the library or getting caught up on journal entries. It’s so helpful in calming my spirit and starting the day off peacefully.

nectarines and coffeeThree: Exploring the Woods

Every season brings new discoveries in our wooded acres at the back of our property. My most exciting find this Autumn has been a flourishing gumbi gumbi tree (aka gumby gumby). Used in bush medicine by Aboriginals and Torres Strait Island people for over 50,000 years, modern researchers have begun using it as an effective treatment for certain types of cancer (source). A friend of mine put me in contact with a local man who grows and uses this amazing plant, and I’m excited to learn from him in the near future.

gumbi gumbi fruitHow about you? What is making you smile today? xo