Little ghosts and goblins have come and gone, with St. Nicholas safely weeks away. Now is the time to breathe into the slower pace of fall as you relax with your family before the revelry of the holiday season begins (or, perhaps before-or after-you head out to the polls this Election Day). Here are a few suggestions to help you turn your home into an autumnal haven that nurtures your senses and warms your spirit (and remember we are here to help free your time—call us for all your Hamptons housecleaning needs!):

  1. Choose candlelight. The nights are growing longer, and it’s tempting to turn on every light in the house to hold onto those last rays of summer. Instead, let the light pale and find comfort in the dim of table lamps and the soft flickers of candlelight. Beeswax candles, with their warm golden color, are a perfect complement to every room. They burn cleaner than paraffin candles and leave a cheerful, light honey scent. (Caution: Never leave candles unattended with pets or children, or leave open flame near flammables!)
  2. Create edible aromatherapy. Let your slow cooker transform your home! Fill it in the morning with apple cider, some wedges of orange or lemon, cinnamon sticks, a whole nutmeg, and a couple of teaspoons of whole cloves (or just use a packet of mulling spices), and leave the mix to simmer. When everyone returns home that evening, your house will smell incredible, and you’ll have a delicious and warming treat to enjoy. For a grownup touch, add a splash of rum or bourbon.
  3. Use heavier essential oils for the winter. Change out the essential oils you’ve been using in your diffuser from light summery scents to richer, spicier aromas. (If you don’t have a diffuser, you can put a few drops of these oils onto cotton balls in saucers near the vents of your home. Use caution if you have pets.) Throw in a couple of drops of Tea Tree oil for an immune-boosting kick, or even use “thieves” oil, so-named from the protection it allegedly afforded robbers who looted the bodies of those who died during the Black Plague without becoming sick themselves. People who use this recipe say it supports their immune systems and kills off bacteria and viruses. You can make it yourself by combining cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon essential oils. The cinnamon and cloves create a strong, holiday scent—and if it boosts your immune system, then all the better!
  4. Take advantage of the season of squashes and root vegetables. There is nothing like a hearty soup or stew and some crusty bread to make a nourishing and relaxing dinner. We ran across this recipe lately, and fell in love—it’s hearty and comforting, with enough bite to keep it interesting!

    Pumpkin Tortilla Soup

    Pumpkin Tortilla Soup

    Ingredients:
    4 tablespoons olive oil
    1 medium onion
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 cup cilantro, finely chopped
    6 corn tortillas, chopped into ½-inch squares
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    3 Cayenne peppers (more or less, to your taste), seeded and diced
    1.5 cups pumpkin puree (1 roasted pumpkin)
    4–6 diced tomatoes
    5 cups vegetable stock

    Optional:
    sliced avocado
    cilantro
    scallions
    sour cream

    Heat olive oil over medium heat in large sauce pan or pot. Add onion, garlic, cilantro, and chopped tortillas. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions soften. Add cumin and peppers and cook for another minute. Add pumpkin, tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour. Top with sliced avocado or cilantro to taste. Or try chopped scallions and sour cream. Enjoy!

    We hope these suggestions will help carry and comfort you through this week’s election in the States. Ready, set, vote!

Amitiés,
Jocelyne