Fall has officially started this week and it doesn’t feel like it yet. The leaves have barely started turning or falling, and to me it honestly still feels like June. I can barely believe that in less than a week it’ll be October.

My favorite season is fall. When I was little I loved to play in the leaves when they fell, the smell and the holidays the season brings. Growing up I always looked forward to fall, it’s when my birthday is, and my older brother shares a birthday with my favorite holiday which always made it an extra special time.

This year fall is a little different for me. It’s the first time I’m experiencing a fall while living alone. If I’m being honest, I’m struggling with it, I don’t really know how to do it all by myself. 

I bought a pumpkin scented candle. It just wasn’t enough. I bought some orange pillows to go onto my couch. That also wasn’t enough.I finally caved in and bought some Halloween decorations and it still doesn’t feel right. I find decorating for Halloween or any holiday for that matter before the month the holiday takes place in is a cardinal sin in my book, so it took a lot out of me to purchase some decorations to put up.

I decided if my eyes didn’t believe it was fall, I needed to convince my stomach it was fall. 

One of my favorite things about fall is the temperature change. I’m a pants girl through and through. This temperature change also opens itself up to many great foods, like soups. Something about a simmering pot of liquid deliciousness that warms your body and soul can’t be beat. 

I don’t get to break out my big pot often but recently she’s been getting a lot of use, and will continue to get more use until my eyes are able to see it’s actually my favorite time of the year.

The other day I made a big batch of chili. I’ve been dying to make some chili because making it in the summer just feels wrong. Cooking big batches of food isn’t only delicious but useful.

Making soups like this is great for college students because it helps trick your body into thinking it’s fall, it’s easy to make and you can have food to eat all week. If you’re like me and live alone and get tired of eating the same thing over and over again you can also freeze it for later use. 

So if you’re like me and miss the fall, or are patiently waiting for the day for the leaves to change color and fall, take a trip to your kitchen to see what you can cook up. Just remember, if you make a big enough batch of whatever your heart desires, you can share the fall experience with your friends or you can freeze it for later enjoyment.