REMEMBER THAT TIME YOU REALIZED YOUR BLOG MIGHT BE ALL WRONG? *Tastes like vinegar*

So, here’s the deal: a recent girls' trip—one filled with some of my favorite humans in all the land—turned into an unexpected fall intervention. Picture us cruising down the road, talking about life, music, and, for some reason, that dreaded season. Yep, fall.

I’m the first to admit it—I hate fall. It’s cold. It’s gray. Everything is dying (okay, maybe a tad dramatic, but still). I’m over here trying to enjoy the last remnants of summer, and everyone’s going nuts for pumpkin spice lattes. No thanks. So naturally, when my friends—who I love dearly, by the way—started gushing about how amazing fall is, I couldn’t hold back.

“Nope. It’s not great, and I refuse to embrace it. Fall is terrible.”

But my friends? They weren’t having it. “Emily, fall is a GREAT season! You’re just not looking at it the right way,” they told me with the kind of enthusiasm only people who genuinely love cozy sweaters and apple-picking can have.

Bunch of BS, I thought.

So, we debated for a short time on the way home—fall lovers vs. the fall skeptic (me). But something interesting happened during that ride. Amid all the laughter, music, and my stubborn stance on how much fall sucks, I started thinking about my last blog. About Kada.

She would’ve told me the same thing my friends were saying in the car. “Emily, you need to embrace fall! It’s beautiful. You just have to look at it differently! Remember all of our great walks together??? Remember taking selfies with the beautiful trees in the background? Our snuggles on the couch together with a bright fire keeping us extra warm?” And while part of me wanted to stick to my guns, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—they had a point.

That weekend, as we soaked up some incredible music (Shout out to Bristol Rhythm & Roots), one song in particular stuck with me that I had added to our driving play list: “Find Your People” by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. I won’t spoil the song for you (go find it on Spotify or YouTube), but it really hit home. It’s a reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with the right people—the ones who challenge your perspective and, yes, sometimes force you to see things through their eyes.

See, fall isn’t just about the changing leaves or the drop in temperature. It’s about perspective. My friends weren’t just talking about fall being pretty or cozy. They were telling me that maybe, just maybe, I was missing out because I was so focused on what I didn’t like about it. And that made me think—how often do we do this in life?

Look, it’s easy to get stuck in our own way of seeing things. We all have our biases, our preferences, and our experiences that shape how we view the world. But sometimes, we need to borrow someone else’s glasses (metaphorically speaking, of course, well unless you are “that age” and you know what I mean) to get a clearer view.

Through my friends’ eyes, fall wasn’t this dreary, cold, and depressing time of year. It was a season of warmth, connection, and renewal. Where I saw bare trees and shorter days, they saw cozy fires, hot cider, and evenings with good company. Maybe fall was still fall, but it wasn’t just about what was ending; it was about the good things that come with change. Who knew?

Here’s the serious part: We all need those friends who push us to look beyond our own stubborn views. The ones who challenge us to see the good where we might only see the bad. They’re the ones who help us realize that maybe we’ve been missing out on something beautiful because we’ve been too focused on what we don’t like. It’s not just about changing your mind—it’s about being open to the possibility that there’s more to a situation (or a season) than what you’ve been seeing.

And guess what? Sometimes, they’re right.  YEP, I said it. Tasted like vinegar.

I still don’t love fall, but after that trip, I’m willing to admit there’s more to it than I gave it credit for. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective, and that’s exactly what good friends are for.

So next time you’re dead-set on hating something (whether it’s a season, a situation, or even a new experience), maybe stop and listen to what your friends are saying. Borrow their glasses for a bit. You might just see something amazing you’ve been missing all along.

Now go listen to “Find Your People”. You’ll get what I mean.  And then you’ll know why I’m rewriting my blog… through some clearer and borrowed glasses...

SO, LET’S DO IT OVER... (still not all unicorns and glitter, but I'm tryin')

Ah, fall—the season of vibrant leaves, cool breezes and sweater weather.  It's that magical time of year when the air gets crisper, the nights grow longer, and we’re all reminded that daylight is a luxury we can’t afford. For some of us, fall is like getting a warm, pumpkin-spice hug, while for others, it feels like getting gently slapped with damp leaves every time you step outside, or like a Taco Bell bathroom… its gloomy, you feel wet for some reason, you and no idea what time it is… and your boots are stuck in something that looks like swamp water.  NEXT!!!!! 

Let’s talk about that daylight situation first. Every year, it seems like the sun just packs up its things and says, "BYE FELICIA." Suddenly, it’s pitch black by 5 PM and you are left wondering if it’s too early to put on your pajamas (spoiler: it’s never too early per my girl Stefanie). For those who struggle with the dwindling sunlight, this time of year can be tough. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that coincides with the shorter days and is a real challenge for many. Fortunately, we have a bright spot thanks to those clever light therapy boxes (AMAZON TO THE RESCUE) designed to trick your brain into thinking it’s still summer. So, grab your light box, sit by the window, and pretend you're sunbathing in the tropics... in your living room.  PSA this light can also be used on a super cloudy day when you just can’t get motivated.  But don’t rely on it for all the things.  Remember your body DOES need time to rest and recover.

Now, let’s chat about the aches and pains that creep in with the fall season, leaving some of us to feel as though our bones sound like they’re made of Rice Krispies (you know - snap, crackle, pop)! If you’ve ever noticed that your joints seem to predict bad weather better than the local meteorologist, you’re not alone friend. The damp, cool weather of autumn can exacerbate joint pain, especially for those with arthritis or a little something I know all about, Nail-Patella Syndrome (that’s for another day). There’s actual science behind this! According to Harvard Health, changes in barometric pressure (you know, the thing that makes the weather all weird and us chronic headache folks get migraines every time it rains) can cause the tissues around your joints to expand, leading to discomfort. It’s like your knees and elbows are their own personal weather balloons, inflating just in time to tell you a storm is coming. Thanks, body.  We didn’t need all that.  You can stop being extra.

So, if you’ve found yourself reaching for the extra-strength ibuprofen just to rake the leaves or cringing at the thought of getting out of bed on a misty morning, rest assured—you’re not being dramatic. Your joints are trying to warn you that fall has arrived.  As if we really needed a reminder, but also shows how cool our bodies really are. Especially in times like these. 

But Let’s Talk About the Food!

As much as fall can be a bit of a pain it also brings with it some of the most beloved seasonal foods. Can we talk about pumpkin spice for a second? Whether you love it or groan every time you see a pumpkin spice latte pop up on a commercial or co-workers’ desk, there is no denying it's the king of fall flavors. There, I said it.  For those of you that are NOT pumpkin spice lovers, stay on this crazy train and keep an eye on all things Eggie Lope’s, because I do not embrace anything made out of pumpkin.  Pumpkin is a fall flavor that tastes like some mushed up rotten vegetable that is only edible when soaked/dunked/baked or rolled in something else that tastes NOTHING like pumpkin.  If I need to mask the taste of something to choke it down, no thanks – you can keep it!  Thank goodness it’s not just pumpkin-spiced everything that makes fall delicious. This is the time of year when people flock to apple orchards, haul back bushels of apples, and turn them into pies, crisps, and cider donuts, jams, jellies, butters and even sauces – THIS IS WHERE I SHINE PEOPLE!   Apples are to fall what sunscreen is to summer—totally essential.  Can I get an “AMEN”?

And don’t even get me started on soup season!  EEEEEEK!  From chowder to hearty chili - from potato, sausage & kale soup (thanks Ree Drummond) to homemade chicken stock cooking for 24 hours, I begin to embrace not needing an Instant Pot.  During the spring & summer months I crank out those obligatory day job hours followed by getting grounded (again, that’s another topic in itself) working in the garden, tending to the chickens, rotating sprinklers, mowing grass, running the weed wacker, showering and THEN cooking dinner before passing out only to do it all over again the next day (this is me NOT complaining because my sweet husband is dusting, washing clothes and running the vacuum).  Fall is all about that warm, comforting food that just hugs you from the inside out. It’s the kind of food that makes you forget for a minute that it’s only 4:30 PM, you are in your P.J.’s and it is already dark outside. 

Of course, no conversation about fall is complete without a little humor, so here are two jokes to get you through the season:

Why do trees hate math? Because they’re always getting stumped!

Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!

Okay, I’ll admit, those were a little corny (another fall staple!), but that’s what this season is all about, right? Corn mazes, hayrides, and even a little cheesy humor to make the chilly days warmer.  Speaking of which, keep up with Layman Family Farms in Bedford, they know what’s up when it comes to good times this season.

So, as we are bombarded with the falling of acorns and walnuts from above, let us remember that while one minute we are studying the beauty around us, we should also be prepared for life to quickly turn into what feels like a woodland action movie. 

Fall is also a great time to learn new things like a new skill, read or begin a new hobby per my girl Amy, who was one of my travel companions this past weekend.  Baking (again not for me but maybe high time I learned), mastering or beginning to learn a new instrument, diving into a book series, fall tells us that it is time to SLOW DOWN and a great time to focus on self-improvement.  Just be alert when you step outside, acorns don’t care how much smarter you’ve gotten!

The leaves will fall, and the days will get shorter, but remember to take time to enjoy the beauty of autumn—whether it’s snuggling under a blanket with a cup of hot cider and your beloved 2 or 4 legged companion, or turning on your trusty light therapy lamp. And if your joints start complaining, just thank them for noticing and treat them to a nice warm tub with lavender bath salts and in the meantime, pass the pumpkin pie!  NOT! 

Thanks friends, while I'm not 100% there, I feel progress has been made.

Love & Light

p.s. Those bath and shower needs - hit up the Botetourt Farmers Market and see Mountain Thyme Honey, Moon Blossom & Varsity Spa. They have everything you need to make it through ALL YEAR ROUND!