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Sunday 22 September 2013

Welcome ICLWers, Welcome Autumn!

Hello fellow ICLWers, and welcome. I'm looking forward to reading lots of new blogs in the coming days, during a week which we hope will be the final step in this particular part of the journey that's bringing us that much closer to our baby: we have our last pre-IVF consult in four short days, and then expect my next-cycle-but-one (in late October) to be It.

For all that came before - because I am a tenacious resistor to the tyranny of the ttc timeline (it was exhausting enough to live through, never mind summarizing for an interwebs full of new blogging friends) - you can just peruse backwards. Or for a brief synopsis, you can read my last ICLW introduction here. As I prepare emotionally as much as physically for what lies ahead, I'm attempting to develop new reserves of hope. I guess that's my big project at the moment. I'd be really interested to know what gives all of you hope too; I'd love it if you feel like answering the question at the end of my last post




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In the meantime, I'm taking a while to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Yeah, today marks the autumnal equinox and thereby the start of my absolute favorite season. Rather appropriately, we managed to have what will likely be our last BBQ of the year last night, with corn on the cob bursting with juiciness and too much butter eaten in such a way that necessitated a good hosing down afterwards - just like it's meant to be! And now on to the good stuff: while my husband would give anything to stay the whole year in a sarong and flipflops, I myself am a crunching-through-the-fallen-leaves, hot-cocoa-loving, cosy-nights-in-with-a-good-book-cherishing kinda girl.

Some of my favorite reasons to celebrate the departure of those long summer days and embrace the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness:

1) Knitwear. Or more specifically, woolly socks, for which I have something of a fetish. A friend once said: I firmly believe it's impossible to make a decent fashion statement in the summer. And while that may be a hardline approach, I can see where she was going with it. All the stuff I love to bring out and wear again happens in autumn, like a warm hug. And uppermost on that list is socks. I have two new additions to my almost too big for the closet collection this year.

First, a pair sent me by the lovely Lentil when we both participated in a sock swap early in the year. We were a sock-match-made-in-heaven, both super tardy with our parcel deliveries, which I think are just now coming into their own. A sock swap? It gave me warm fuzzies people. Second, a pair picked up in a neat little atelier we visited during our trip to beautiful Tallinn this past summer. Both make me immeasurably happy.



 2) Guy Fawkes Night. England's answer to Hallowe'en, complete with mulled wine, torch-lit processions, burning effigies, flaming barrel races and a whole host of other pyromaniac fun to be had. For a homesick Canadian missing as I do the autumnal delights of Jack O'Lanterns, apple bobbing, trick-or-treaters  and that flourescent, gross-tasting-yet-somehow-irresistible candy corn every October 31st? Well, Bonfire Night is a cultural experience not to be missed. And let's just leave aside the slightly strange monarchist undertones for now. So. Much. Fun.


3) Homemade pumkin spice lattes. Or anything pumkin, really. Need I say more?

4) Paul Klee. Not strictly autumnal I guess, despite the apropos colour palate of one of my all-time favorite artists. However, this exhibition will be a seasonal treat, and I can't wait.


Mostly though....


5) IVF. At least for us. Finally. Autumn marks one cycle closer to our Oct/Nov IVF cycle, the one we hope might actually carry our baby to our waiting home and hearts. 

Oh please, Gods of the Autumn Equinox, hear my calls! (Maybe I should just adorn myself with creeper vines and all things cornucopia and dance naked under the moonlight?) 

Let's hope my affinity for autumn will bring us some luck, that there'll be some added reason to love this season in the coming weeks.


So -  if you haven't answered the question in my last post - what's your favorite season? And what do you love about autumn?

39 comments:

  1. I'm a fall fan myself, not that you can tell from my wardrobe. I love the colours, the feel of just-cooling air. Fall foods are my favourites too - piles of apples to turn into applesauce, all the winter squashes just coming into season. Weather that makes it reasonable to start roasting and making heavy soups, and the fact that somehow I have an easier time convincing my family to eat more vegetables and less meat in the autumn.

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    1. Funny, because even though we eat a lot of vegan/vegetarian dishes throughout the year, I find that appetites for heartier fare also mean the inclusion of more meat. But I'm guessing for you guys it's the whole Canadian summer BBQ thing?!

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  2. Hi Sadie, thanks for leaving a note on the blog. I agree, fall is an exciting time (although in western Canada, it can be all too short). Love the photos of socks. There's something so comforting and decadent about a great pair of socks! The colourful ones reminded me of my friends that knit them :-) (I am trying to make a pair of mittens but have not ventured into socks). That's exciting that you have IVF to look forward to in October (if look forward to is the right word.) We are looking forward to learning if we are going to do IVF lol. Well, probably we will, but we don't if it will be my eggs or donor.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by TorthĂșil! I'm a sucker for a cozy pair of socks - I really should learn to knit myself!

      Excited, anxious, hopeful, dreading...all sentiments we can apply to our upcoming IVF. I hope that this season brings you, too, closer to some sense of direction in how your family will grow. Fingers crossed for you!

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  3. I love fall too! Living in New England, its the time of year my hometown excels at!

    Hooded sweatshirts, yellow leaves, pumpkin everything, blankets, warm fires, socks, red leaves, simmering sauce on the stove all day, I could go on and on....

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    1. Yes, yes and yes! And I think New England and eastern Canada really come into their own at this time of year. It's when I always get most homesick!

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  4. I love fall, but my favorite season is probably spring. I love flowering trees and the days getting longer. So, you said the magic words - "homemade pumpkin spice lattes." I too love all things pumpkin flavored. Do you have a recipe for these magical sounding homemade pumpkin spice lattes? I'd be curious to try it. Sending you positive vibes for your upcoming IVF.

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    1. Thanks for the vibes! We will take all the energy and support we can get :)

      I can certainly post the (very simple) recipe for the homemade pumkin spice syrup. Watch this space! And thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  5. Mmm...pumpkin. Also, I get to wear my favorite wardrobe in the fall: sweaters, jeans, and boots.

    I hope this season brings you everything you've been waiting for!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who quickly thinks of things like 'wardrobe' when I think of changing seasons. But really, autumn-wear, all those layers and cosy knits...what's not to love?!

      And yes, I hope this means it'll be an auspicious time for us in other ways too...

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  6. Love pumpkin! I even have a pumpkin board on Pinterest. Good luck on your next cycle! My fingers and toes are crossed for you guys! :)
    Stopping by from ICLW...
    Kerry

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Kerry; I'm on my way over to check out your blog!

      And thanks especially for the good wishes for our IVF cycle. Gulp...it's all getting pretty real!

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  7. Fall is my favorite season hands down. Grew up in Florida where it's HOT all the time. So when I moved to NY I began to enjoy the change of seasons and the cool but not cold weather is my favorite. The fall fashions - sweaters and layering bits are exciting to get to wear. Also it leads to the best stretch of consumer holidays here in the US - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! I'm hoping that this Thanksgiving finds you with something special to give thanks for.

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    1. Glad to find yet another fall lover out there! Actually in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in mid-October (and when I also mark it, wherever I happen to find myself), so I guess I'll have to be satisfied with thanks that we get the chance to *try* with IVF...but that's already so much!

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  8. I love Autumn! I am learning to knit, I love knitted socks and sweaters and toques and all those things, so I figure why not learn to knit and keep myself busy?

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    1. Yes, why not? I think I need to learn to knit too! I always find working with my hands very soothing/meditative, and it'd probably be a great way to keep my mind busy during the whole IVF schtick!

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  9. I love fall too - of course my birthday kicking off autumn doesn't hurt. Wishing you all the best with your IVF cycle.

    Visiting from ICLW.

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    1. I'm a spring baby myself, but my husband has an October birthday. Thanks for stopping by, and for yoiur wishes for our IVF cycle!

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  10. Loving those kicks! Autumn is also my favorite - sure, it's when my birthday is, and C's too - but much more than that, it's just such a cozy peaceful time. There's lots of good food, the cheap showiness of summer is behind us, but it's not too cold yet. It's perfect sweatshirt weather, and great for hiking. Most of all though, I hope for you two it's the perfect season for IVF. Wishing for only good things this autumn.

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    1. Totally: it's like preparing to be wrapped up in the warm embrace of all that good stuff...And yes to autumn hiking!

      I think it's the perfect season for IVF...Let's hope my ova and H's little guys agree!

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  11. I really love Autumn and Spring :) The weather, the trees, the mildness. I love the rebirth in spring. There's so much to do in Autumn; I love the holidays and the celebrations. I love the comfort foods and the closeness we get with others. Like Sarah said, it's "cozy." :)

    Summer is extreme and Winter too- I like the first week of Winter, Christmas time and all that, but that's it!

    I really hope the season brings you a successful IVF. I hope that it offers you comfort and eases the process, because goodness knows it can be stressful. May you find many distractions!

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    1. I think I'm slightly the same; there's something about the gentle inbetween-ness of those seasons that is delightful.

      Thanks for your wishes. I'm already trying to stockpile appropriate distractions in anticipation!

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  12. Those socks are fabulous! I'm surprised how many people like Fall the best (everyone around here is always complaining about the end of summer), but it's my favorite too! I love the changing color of the trees, hiking with crunching leaves under my feet, cozy nights by the fireplace, apple spice or evergreen candles burning, fresh apples from the orchard, and pumpkin lattes! I love the beginning of Fall when nights start to get cold and the colors are just changing, the middle of Fall when I can wear warm sweaters and admire the blazing foliage, and the end of Fall when (here) we usually see the first snow fall. Best time of the year! And yes, definitely a perfect season for IVF.

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    1. I'm please to find so many fellow fall lovers too! But for all the reasons you've listed, how can they not be?

      And yes, surely the ideal season for IVF. ;)

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  13. I cannot think of autumn now, I can only think of the fact that you have been to Helsinki (and yes, that beautiful Tallin) lately :-) I wish I could have bought you a cup of coffee or something...

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    1. We didn't get to spend much time in Helsinki (only two short days in fact), but were really charmed by it. You're so lucky to be so surrounded by nature right there in the heart of the city!

      I would have LOVED to meet for a coffee. Your blog has quickly become a favorite and your artwork is so insightful! Perhaps next time?

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  14. I love autumn, too -- it's always been my favorite time of year. Wishing you lots of luck for your IVF cycle!!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Alie, and especially for your kind wishes!

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  15. Oh I love the fall so much! Always have. That's one of my favorite things about living here in Pennsylvania... we have an awesome fall season, with all those crunchy leaves you made me yearn for with this eloquent post. There's such beauty in the fall. And boots! By far my favorite footwear!

    And yes, I truly hope that fall brings us both successful pregnancies. How amazing would that be?

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    1. Aaaahhh, crunchy leaves....Surely one of life's deepest, simplest pleasures?

      PA is quite similar to Ontario, I think. We lived in Philly for a year (loved it), and after having spent a so much time abroad in Middle Eastern countries, I was joyful at the winter snow too!

      I really hope this will be the season that brings us both healthy pregnancies friend. Everything crossed. Really.

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  16. Love your list! Sweaters and books and quilts...3 of my favorite things of fall. And I agree as to the rest of the year's fashion being limited.

    Autumn is my favorite absolutely hand down.

    Here via ICLW

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  17. Hey, dig the socks! I am sure you are nearing your IVF cycle, good luck! My fave season is probably summer as here in Africa that means Christmas and seeing family. What gives me hope? My son's laugh! But read my latest post about ttc#2 - stories like this give me hope. Onestepatatime.co.za

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  18. I love both of those pairs of socks! Like you, I adore autumn and it has always been my favorite time of year. It's funny because my husband L, like H, would be perfectly content to have summer year round, but I wait eagerly every year for those first golden days of fall.

    For me, there's something quiet and melancholy and yet also joyful and refreshing about autumn. Fall leaves and the cool night air bring a thrill of beauty and excitement for the coming holidays with a pang of sadness for the fading summer. It's such a beautiful time of transition and change.

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  19. Hi from ICLW! Those socks are awesome! The older I get the more and more I like fall best. I don't know what it is... The cooler temps, the pretty leaves, hot apple cider, the fact I don't get a summer vacation any more?

    Best wishes for your appointment this week and your IVF in a month or two!

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  20. So exciting (and nerve wracking) for your upcoming IVF! Fingers crossed that everything goes off without a hitch and you get a take home baby.

    I love the socks, especially the 2nd pair. They look so warm. I have a pair or two from my mom and mother-in-law that I love. The ones from my mom I savor a bit more, as I'll never get any more from here. Same goes with her knitted hats. Thankfully I have tons of those and they don't really get worn out like socks do.

    Happy ICLW!

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  21. Hi from ICLW. Thanks for the reminder about how much I love all my warm and crazy socks. I'm gonna have to sign up for a sock swap soon. Fall is actually my least favorite time of year, because it means the end of Summer (my favorite). Thanks for sharing some of your joy, which is slightly contagious.

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  22. Hi from ICLW...fall is def here!!!

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  23. Hi Sadie, I wanted to tell you that I nominated you for a Liebster blogging award (info on my latest post). No pressure to participate if you would rather not and/or have already received one in the past, but I just wanted to let you know!

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