Hello Autumn!

The temperature is dropping, the leaves are falling, and the days are getting shorter, which only means autumn is upon us!

Hello Autumn! The autumn season and the Christmas holidays are my family’s favourite time of the year, especially for my dear husband. Every year, Kenz goes all out decorating the house with autumn vibes and a touch of vintage Halloween. Out comes cosy wool jumpers, cashmere scarves, and beautiful knitted beanies. My kitchen is filled with delectable aromas of pumpkin-spiced lattes, coffee cakes, and  slow-cooked beef stews. 

For us growing up in sunny California, the autumn season means two things: pumpkin patch and American football! Somehow we managed to do both over the first weekend of October. 

Pumpkin Patch

Every year, we always take Lady Yeya to a pumpkin patch because it reminds us of our own childhood growing up in the Central Valley. Last year we went to Tully’s Farm for a more curated full-day experience which was a lot of fun despite the heavy rain. 

It was a beautiful autumn day so we made impromptu plans to visit Stanhill Farm’s pumpkin patch using a ZipCar. Like Hewitt Farm in Orpington, Stanfill Farm is a working farm where you can PYO seasonal fruit and vegetables. As it was their opening weekend, the farm was a patchwork of orange gourds. There is a small set-up for some nice instagrammable family photos but here at Stanhill Farm, it is all about the pumpkins. We happily filled a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins (£37) to add to our home autumn decor. Yes indeed, we will need to host a pumpkin carving party leading up to Halloween.

American Football

The autumn season is all about American football from NFL, collegiate football, and even high school football. Every year, the NFL hosts several games in London. We have seen the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers play in London many, many moons ago. This year’s NFL in London included: Minnesota Vikings vs New York Jets; Chicago Bears vs Jacksonville Jaguars; and New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars; 

Kenz and some friends got hospitality box seat tickets to see Minnesota Vikings vs the New York Jets at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was an all-day affair with lunch,  half-time break hospitality, and dinner. The Vikings continued on their undefeated streak. Fellow UC Berkeley alum and NFL veteran, Aaron Rodgers didn’t play well. The next morning, the Jets Head Coach was fired. 

Sunday Roast

Back at homebase, it was more of a low-key affair where I invited the moms and kids over for a casual and relaxed Sunday roast lunch. My only requirement was to arrive hungry and in stretch pants for a chillaxed afternoon. On the menu was roast chicken and stuffed butternut squash (VE) plus all the traditional vegan-friendly sides, and sticky toffee pudding. Friends also contributed a potato lentil salad and an apple-blackberry crumble for a full autumnal meal. 

It was the perfect way to mark the autumn season and spend a cosy Sunday afternoon with good food, good friends, and good conversation. And for the Dads, a great game of American football!