There’s just something about this time of year that makes everything feel a little softer, a little warmer- even when life still has its bumps. Like the at-home sleep study I need to make time for in the next week or so…
The air’s turned crisp, the leaves are starting to show off, and I can finally breathe again without the heavy summer heat dragging me down. It feels like a quiet exhale after months of holding my breath.
This week, I’m a little extra excited- my aunt’s driving in from Texas on Wednesday! She’s doing van life now, which feels so wild and wonderful, and I can’t wait to catch up. The photos she sends are amazing, and FaceTiming with her is fun, but being in the same room again after two years is going to be incredible.
I’ve been deep-cleaning the house, reorganizing, and maybe plotting a few too many “must-cook” recipes for her visit. (If you know me, you know that when I’m happy, I cook. When I’m anxious, I also cook… and chase every spider and dust bunny I find. Either way, it’s a win for everyone.)
Speaking of cooking- my fall kitchen plans are shaping up beautifully. I’m planning to document and share a few cozy recipes here on The Crippled Cryptid soon, like:
🥬 French braised leeks (thank you, TikTok inspiration)
🍎 Apple cider–braised pork shoulder (also seen on TikTok- I’m weak for food videos)
🧅 Classic French onion soup- because autumn isn’t autumn without it. It’s one of my favorites, especially from Around the Clock in Crystal Lake. Whoever thought this was “peasant food” was off their rocker.
🔥 BBQ pork chops with smashed potatoes- any excuse to use my Blackstone. Any.
🥩 German rind rouladen with pickled purple cabbage and spaetzle- one of my favorite German dishes, and the perfect way to celebrate my grandma’s birthday on October 29th. (She was born in Germany.) It also happens to be the release day for Hazbin Hotel Season 2- something the Moss Maiden, the Yard Yeti, and I have already agreed to watch together. So, we’ll remember her with a good dinner, and laugh at some dark humor together as a family. Win-win.
👻 A Supernatural-themed dinner- yup, based on the show. We’re still working our way through it. How we’ll pull it off is beyond me, but once I figure it out, I’ll let you know. Babe loves Cass, I’m a Dean ghoul, and the Yard Yeti is a total Crowley fan but, truth be told Crowley is one of the best chaotic characters of the show so…
🍞 Homemade cornbread- warm from the oven with honey butter, obviously.
🍲 Homemade chicken noodle soup- because it’s fall.
🍞 And plenty of homemade bread: apple bread, banana bread, cheese bread… just bread.
There’s something special about slow, cozy food when the days start to shorten. The smell of something simmering on the stove feels like its own kind of magic- like a spell for warmth and grounding.
Between Luna’s upcoming birthday (my little moth girl turns two this week!) and the new blog rhythm I’ve been quietly putting together behind the scenes, this season feels full of promise. More folklore, more recipes, more bookish coziness, and more honest little snapshots of disabled life- messy, magical, and real.
So here’s to fall- to family, good food, wagging tails, and finding joy in small, everyday comforts.
What’s your favorite fall comfort food or ritual? Tell me in the comments- I’m always collecting ideas for cozy days ahead. 🍂
–Sky, The Crippled Cryptid
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