of flames and leaves

   Above are some photos that personify Fall for me. I'm looking out my window now as I write, watching a leaf shower while my children nap. I almost want to wake them to watch the floating leaves with me. almost.  I haven't seen leaves this pretty in a long time. I sure wish people would let the lovely leaves just stay put for longer than half a day (or half a second) before blowing them to smithereens. After years of island living, Fall is one of the things I have been most happy to welcome back; it's my antidote to missing the island we called home for a good chunk of my adult life. It's my favorite season, I think. 

When I look at this campfire print (pictured above) by Danna Ray, I can smell all the smells of fall: the tobacco barns of my youth, the bonfires, the mix of wet fallen leaves and conifer needles, freshly washed flannel, cider with bourbon, and cloves.  This all reminds me that I've been dying to try this scent by Anne at MCMC Fragrances, called Hunter (on it's way! yay!)  Anne has a thoughtful story behind each scent, often related to memories (love that!) and this one seems to call Fall's name, as well as Harrison's (Hunter). Her perfume shop also happens to be one of the most interesting websites ever, you guys. Her story about becoming a perfumer is so inspirational, and I plan to give it some more attention in another post! 

And with this talk of the smells and foods of fall, can't you imagine some tasty chili and pumpkin stew in the pots above from the shop, blue flower vintage?  I'd slip on these vegan moccasins (I discovered them here), wrap up in this blanket and drink apple cider straight from these jugs (all pictured above). 

Have you guys been reading the Wiksten blog?  Jenny has been posting previews of her latest collection of beautiful dresses over the last few weeks. Her new and improved shop opened Monday evening, and the beautiful, black Lissa dress, pictured above, is was amongst the garments for sale (sold out fast!)  Jenny is carrying special pieces from various makers in her shop, and everything is up and going.  It seems the Wiksten tree is giving us a shower of Autumn lovelies, too!

 (photo by John Allen)

And speaking of more Autumn lovelies, I'd like to make an Autumn name list.   I dedicate today's list to my favorite Fall imagery, scents, tastes and sounds. Here's to Fall as it passes by so gracefully. I'm going to start with those names that require explanation because they have no obvious connection to Fall--they just feel (or look, taste/smell) like Fall. And I can't wait to hear your randoms, too! So from least to most obvious (and please forgive the random extra spacing between some of these; blogger is really acting up!): 

Tobias -- I'm starting with the one that requires a bit of explanation.  I grew up in TN and every fall my town smelled like tobacco barns, which do not smell like cigarette smoke. My brain likely just links the similar sounds and spellings. Simple as that. But when I read or hear this name, I smell the barns and taste spicy, tangy bean chili (tobassco sauce?)....and I love it.  Here's a very interesting post on namberry about how synesthesia affects the name-lover. I find it so, so fascinating that so many name lovers who commented also report having synesthesia! Any neurologist readers who care to take up this connection?


Barnaby ('Barn'... need I explain?)


Clove --My first fall at college smelled like clove cigarettes, because everyone was smoking them. Man, for someone who hates smoke, I sure have some pleasant-ish associations with tobacco products!


Virginia -- no idea why this feels Fall to me. It also feels very Summer, but then, like names, I also think a lot of songs are toss ups between feeling like Fall or Summer songs, usually folk songs.


Nydia


Ernest --literary images of pipes and tweed?


Crispin 


Scott 


Aubrey --I hope to see this one back on more boys again. I think it could actually be the Bread song that makes it feel like a Fall name to me. I have an old album of my mom's, and on the cover the boys are all in corduroy, standing in Fall leaves..of course! And before you tease me for my love of Bread, and yes, I absolutely love them, some really super artists did a tribute album some years ago, which I highly recommend, especially for Fall (or Summer).


Carole --even though it should totally link to the holidays... feels Fall.


Saskia --feels so spicy, also a bit winterish to me.


Sibyl


Naomi 


Talulah


Henri --A lot of H names have a Fall feel for me.


Henrietta


Hava


Hazel --Beyond being an H name, she reminds me of hay and barns, and she feels spicy, even with her tree roots.


Hazlitt


Haze


Harvey


Harvest

Garner

Potter (for some reason I associate many crafts with Fall and Winter, perhaps the vision of my grandmother quilting on a crisp fall day, or of a weaver on the porch in a thick, hand knit sweater is responsible for the association. Do yo guys sew, knit, pot, or create more in the cooler months when you're indoors a bit more?)

Weaver


Loom

Spindle


Thimble

Satchel

Wicker (see Bewitching Name's post on this one!)

Pendleton (blankets)

Tartan 

Opal

Moon


Moonstone


Luna


Ayla


Goldmoon

Golden 


Goldfinch


Demeter (goddess of the harvest)


Aluma
Afra (connections to deer and earth)

Artemis (deer, earth, moon)

Woodlark (perhaps the only time you could use the word 'wood' in a name. this one works)

Plume

Kindling 

Flame


Ember

Cider

Saffron

Fennel

Brown

Siena 

Auburn

Roux 

Rust

Rustylark 

Tawny

Crimson

Garnet

Topaz

Chrysanthemum

Cedar

Maple


Oak


Matsuyani (Japanese for 'sap'. found here...so neat.)

Orchard

Leaf

Rustle

November

September

Autumn

and from today's inspirations:
Jenny
Anne
Ray
Danna
Harrison
Hunter
Blue

What are your favorite fall associations? Any names those bring to mind for you? I must say, I'm a bit more interested in the seemingly random or personal associations for you all.  Do some names (like some songs, perhaps) just seem to feel more Fall like for no obvious reason?  

When my girls wake up from their naps, we're putting on our boots and going out for a walk, so they can wave back at all the twinkling leaves. I hope you all  (for those of you having Fall this time of year) get to get out in them today, too. Yep, absolutely my favorite time of year here!  

(images: by John Allen via Wikstenmade, via Manimal, via Danna Ray, via Blue Flower Vintage. all images linked to above)