Enjoying and making the most of Fall days, while Planning for Winter.

As the cool air drifts in now for our evenings and overnights - even though days remain gorgeously warm -  and the days grow shorter, our excitement for many things outdoors may start to fade..

Who amongst us hasn’t wished summer would, or could, go on and on…? Even as we are enjoying the gift of a last few warm days, some of our more pessimistic friends keep reminding us that the days really are starting to shorten.

Making the Most of Fall Days

Some however, do enjoy the crisp Fall days as October progresses. Are you one of those persons contemplating the sheer enjoyment of being out-of-doors? If so, you’re not alone.

It is noted that in countries like Sweden, garden parties and outdoor lunches hold sway whenever the weather permits, with around 65% of people preferring an outdoor grill. Far from being limited to the summer, barbecues are celebrated on warm days in Autumn, and indeed, many would say that this season in Scandinavia is one of the most flavorful of the year. Since Scandinavians love a good barbecue, they don’t let any coolness in an autumn day stop them from enjoying an outdoor get-together, and indeed, many carry on barbecuing all through the winter as well! It's all about catching up with close friends and family al fresco!

If this Scandinavian approach resonates with you, then you may wish to rethink your own use your patio or backyard in the Fall. You could consider hosting various gatherings in your own outdoor space, or just enjoying by yourself or with a close friend or two.

How to ward off a chill?

The good news is, the Scandinavians have been pros at this for years. Visit a café or restaurant in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and you'll find every chair in the outdoor area has been prepped with a fleece blanket. And they don't stop there... sheepskins, outdoors rugs, string lights, lanterns, candles and fire pits are all pre-requisites to a cozy evening al fresco – that sense of Hygge – regardless of weather! We in North America are now catching on to this trend, as we see some restaurants and cafes bringing sheepskins, cozy blankets and portable patio heaters to their sidewalk cafes.

Hygge

The Scandinavian concept of “Hygge” is a cozy feeling in your soul – a chair or group of chairs pulled up to a glowing fire in a fireplace or firepit, a softly flickering candle on a table set for dinner for two, a convivial moment between friends, or just a general feeling of contentment in a simple setting. Hygge can be all of these and more. It means comfort, joy and well being – more of a feeling and a concept than a specific thing. So, round up some soft and cozy pillows and fleecy throws, extra chunky blankets, and sheepskins - and put them within easy reach for you and your guests to grab. You can never have too many for your own cozy Hygge feeling!

Adding Light!

Scandinavian style is also very much about adding and celebrating light, as Scandinavians traditionally try to interject as much light as possible into their lives. The Lucia festival, which happens on December 13th every year, is just one example of this, but light doesn’t just mean actual light, it also means comfort, joy and wellbeing. It is a philosophy and way of living that consistently lands the Scandinavian countries on the Top 10 list of the happiest people on earth, and something we perhaps might consider striving toward!

Applying this concept to your own space, our Fall evenings call for candles, lanterns, strings of lights and the warmth of an open flame from a fire pit (or a patio heater). All of this not only illuminates your space but creates a warm, relaxing and welcoming ambience and the kind of comfort we can all enjoy sinking into.

As the Fall outdoor season in Southwestern Ontario begins to wind up – unless you adopt the Scandinavian philosophy of continuing to fully enjoy the out-of-doors as it turns from brisk to cold?  - you will be starting to think about winterizing and moving indoors.