The Dreamer's Pen

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!

It’s September 1, and I’ve got my spicy cinnamon and apple candle burning away, filling the house with that warm, cozy scent that instantly makes me feel like fall has arrived, even if it’s still hot and humid outside. There’s something about that mix of spice and sweetness that just feels like September mornings and early evenings, the season slowly tipping its hat as summer finally steps aside.

Today, I spent most of my day going through things on the first floor, deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what really doesn’t serve me anymore. I’m trying to downsize, to consolidate my life a bit, and it’s amazing how many items I’ve held onto that I just don’t need or use anymore. It feels good to let go, to make space for more meaningful things, and maybe, in a small way, to help other people out too.

One of the exciting things I’m making space for is a very special futon. Not the kind that folds up cheaply in a frame, but a futon made entirely out of solid cherry wood, with a really nice mattress. This futon used to be my teenage bed, and my dad still has it. My plan is to turn it into a couch for the living room, right next to the bookshelf. My dog is going to love it. He’s obsessed with sleeping on couches and cozy chairs, but it’s going to be a space for me too. A space to craft, read, nap, ponder the universe… all that jazz.

This futon means so much to me. My parents didn’t have much money when I was 12, but they went out of their way to put it on layaway because they wanted me to have it when I went to college, whether I stayed in a dorm or not. I didn’t end up staying in a dorm, but I used this bed throughout most of my teenage and early adult life. The frame itself is stunning, sturdy, and made from cherry wood. It’s beautiful, and it carries so many memories, not just mine, but the story of my parents’ sacrifice and care. Once I get it from my dad, I’ll pick out a nice cover for the mattress so it looks like a proper couch, and I can’t wait for it to become my little haven in the living room.

Speaking of fall things… I can’t help but think of Hexen on the Nintendo 64.

The game itself is gory and a little dark, but the scenery absolutely captivated me back in the day. I remember being mesmerized by the castles, the sprawling landscapes, and the falling leaves drifting across the screen. It screams autumn to me in a way that nothing else quite does. The music to. I don’t know what it is, but there’s a haunting, almost medieval quality that perfectly matches the visuals. It’s funny how certain things just feel like fall to you, even if they aren’t what’s trending as “fall aesthetic” right now. For me, it’s Hexen, the first chill in the air, and, oddly enough, Good Riddance by Green Day. I’m not a huge Green Day fan, but that song hits me every time! Boom! It’s autumn bottled up in music. Makes me want to go apple picking immediately.

Apple picking is definitely on my agenda this year. I live in the perfect state for it, and I adore apples. I really want to make Apfelkuchen. One thing I’ve been craving this year is apple cider donuts. I know they’re more of a New England or Midwestern thing, but man, I wish I could find a place here in Washington that makes them. I might just try to recreate them myself, though I’d rather bake than fry them. That sounds like such a cozy, delicious fall project, and I’m excited to finally try it.

I’ve also been looking at my Pinterest boards for inspiration for fall meals. One of my all-time favorites is pumpkin lasagna. I know it sounds a little weird at first. Pumpkin in lasagna? It’s absolutely delicious. The flavors are so rich and comforting, and it just feels like fall on a plate. I can’t wait to try making it this season, along with other cozy, warming dishes.

My dog is already feeling the cool temperatures, and he’s been shivering a bit, so I pulled out his littlesweaters today. He’s wearing one with a squirrel on it, looking so cozy and adorable right next to me. It’s little moments like that that make the start of autumn feel extra special.

There are so many other fall things I’m excited for this season. I have tickets to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in October, and I’m already counting down the days. Jazz Alley is phenomenal!!! I love how intimate, moody, romantic, and perfect for the kind of music that makes you sway without even thinking. And of course, I can’t wait to finally pull out my sweaters. After the heat and humidity we’ve been having, just slipping into a bright, cozy sweater when it’s cool outside feels like pure magic, even if I’m not a fan of gray, rainy days.

Speaking of cozy and crafty things… I inherited so much yarn from my mom. Wool, synthetic, cotton, you name it, I have it. My mom was an incredible crocheter and knitter; she made scarves, ponchos, sweaters, socks, baby clothes, so many handmade treasures. I still wear most of them during fall and winter, but this year I really want to pick up crochet and knitting myself. She had such a gift, which she inherited from my Oma, who was phenomenal. Oma could see a pattern in her mind and create it out of nothing. Doilies, clothing, literally anything you could imagine. Her generation survived the Great Depression and World War II, and the things they made- practical, beautiful, enduring – carry that resilience.

I know my own crafting abilities aren’t perfect, and with arthritis and tendinitis in my left hand (thanks, Viola playing and an old elbow injury), repetitive movements can be tough. But I want to try anyway. Making gifts, learning patterns, enjoying the process. I think practice will get me there, and even slow progress will feel rewarding.

Finally, I can’t wait to pull out my camera and do some fall photo shoots. I live in such a beautiful area, and I know there are countless opportunities to capture the season, whether it’s the vibrant trees, crisp skies, or just candid moments of friends and family. Early fall is the perfect backdrop for creativity, reflection, and a little bit of magic.

Here’s to September, cozy candles, falling leaves, old video games that feel like home, apple cider donuts (even if I have to bake them myself), pumpkin lasagna, the futon that carries so many memories, the little squirrel sweater my dog is wearing, and all the autumn adventures waiting just around the corner.