Where I live there are no beautifully colored leaves to let us know fall is approaching.  Cooler weather comes for a day or two and then is replaced with hot days.  It is very hard for us to get in the mood of autumn when it still feels like summer!

This is our family’s favorite season.  Because of this, I want to make sure that even though it doesn’t seem like the season is changing outside, it feels fall-like inside.  Here are some tips to help fellow Southerners experience the season.

• Decorate, decorate, decorate.  This may seem over-simplified but if you take the time to put up splashes of autumnal color your home will rise to the occasion.  Cut out leaf shapes from construction paper with your children.  Tape them on to the walls or put some fake leaves from your local hobby store in a glass bowl.  Add a red or orange throw blanket on your favorite armchair.  You would be surprised at how much these little things will change the atmosphere.

• Candles.  I love pumpkin-spice scented candles.  They easily create the smells that most associate with this time of year.  Not only that but they evoke warmth and comfort that make home feel as if it is the perfect place to be.  Place them everywhere: bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.  If you do not have a fireplace, lighting a bunch of these one evening and munching on popcorn while telling stories is a great family activity.

• Food. Simply changing what you bake or cook will help.  We had a day last week were it was 93 degrees.  Though it is not something I usually do I prepared chili and cornbread for dinner.  Fall food on a summer-like day.  (Of course, turning down up air conditioner helped, too!)  I also have on our menu some pumpkin soup and an apple pie.  We do not have these foods during the other seasons so this helps make it feel like fall.

Do you live where it still feels like summer? Share your ideas with me on how you make it feel like fall in your home!