“Gathered leaves wear coats of endless colours; each one painted by time” -Flavia
As the crisp breezes begin to blow and the leaves begin to swirl, you know that fall is in the air. Although each season is unique, autumn has its own feel and special beauty that lovers of the season can definitely attest to. The world gets turned into one big canvas with its cacophony of colours. There is definitely a transition to a new season coming soon.
From hot apple cider to pumpkin pies, there are so many reasons to celebrate fall. It’s the season of Halloween and Thanksgiving. The farmers will be bringing in the harvest of the bounty of Essex County, with its rich and plentiful fruits and vegetables; and being grateful for what nature has given to us.
We’re thinking of fall fashion; thick layers warm knitted sweaters, long sleeves and multi-coloured scarves, cozy jammies and throws and blankets to snuggle in!
As summer departs, it’s time to take advantage of the remaining good weather to prepare your home for the cooler temperatures of fall and winter. Fall is the perfect time to take care of the things that keep your home, both inside and out, properly maintained.
Outdoor Checklist:
As the warm weather starts to fade and the days become cooler, you’ll want to tend to the outside of your property by cleaning and storing your outdoor furniture.
Check your garage doors to ensure they close tightly and install weather-stripping if needed.
Inspect and drain your water hoses and put them away for spring.
Drain, clean and cover your pool if applicable.
Clean your gutters to remove any debris and to keep the water moving. Dirty and clogged gutters can lead to damaged exterior walls and wet basements.
Inspect your roof for any damage to shingles or repair any roofing problems.
Remove any window air conditioners and clean them before storing.
Check your chimney for any loose bricks or damage that may have occurred during the summer months. Also, be aware that birds may nest in the flue if it’s not capped, causing an obstruction and potential for fire.
Remove any window screens and replace with storm windows.
Indoor Checklist:
Cooler temperatures outdoors mean more time will be spent indoors. Everyone enjoys a home that is clean and comfortable.
To see any streaks that you may leave behind, pick a cloudy day to wash all your interior windows.
Clean your walls and ceiling fans. Remember to reverse your fan, counter clockwise for the season.
Clean your refrigerator coils to ensure its efficiency.
Replace the batteries and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check your municipal laws to where they need to be situated and how many you may be required to have installed.
Check your fire extinguishers and recharge or replace it when necessary. Review your family emergency plan and rid your home of any hazardous materials or unsafe clutter. Ensure exit route windows or doors are not blocked by furniture or other obstructive barriers.
Check the weather stripping on your doors and windows to keep the cold at bay and the warm air inside.
Have a professional check your furnace. Replace your filters to ensure it runs more efficiently. A dirty filter slows down the flow of air and wastes energy because your system has to work that much harder. Remember to change your filter once a month during the winter. A thermostat that is programmable can save you money on your energy bill. Consider investing in one this now if you haven’t done so.
Clean and replace your humidifier filter to ensure your inside air is moist and comfortable. Both you and your home environment will feel so much better.
Outdoor Fun:
The fall months are a wonderful time to be outdoors; to watch the harvest moon rise and to drink big mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows or pumpkin latte.
You may want to drive through the country side, under the harvest sky and see the glorious palette of nature or go for a hike through the woods with family or friends. Apple picking is a fun activity that many look forward to with its culmination in apple pies and other delectable treats.
Bicycle riding is invigorating at this time of the year and you may want to hit the trails for an afternoon outing in the great outdoors.
The October full moon falls on the 8th and is coined the “falling leaves moon.” Halloween, on the 31st of October is a Friday this year and it will occur on the weekend when we turn the clocks back one hour to Eastern Standard Time which will occur at 2 a.m. on November 2. The Winter Solstice takes place with the new moon rising on December 21.
No matter what you do or where you go, when Thanksgiving rolls around on Monday, October 13, it will be a special time as your family and friends gather round for that delicious harvest meal as you reflect on what you have and express your gratitude.
“Fall has always been my favourite season- The time, when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” Lauren DeStefano Wither
From all of us at Maid In Windsor, we wish you a safe and happy fall season.
