How did we end up in cozy season already? I swear I blinked and the flannels went straight onto the bed, which is always my first sign that fall has officially arrived, and honestly, I'm loving it. Some of you who have been following along know that I've been away, and it feels really good to be home. I love traveling, but whenever I get back I always crave comfort food, and this time it lines up perfectly with the change in the weather.
Setting the Tone for Fall
For me, this time of year is all about the vibe. I love having good music playing at all times as we ease into fall, and a really good playlist is always on in the background while I putter around the kitchen. Once the evenings start getting dark early, I light a few fall scents from my Seaview Candles collection (in case you didn't know, this is our son Porter's business! And he has some really lovely new and classic fall and holiday scents out this week!) and the whole house instantly feels like a hug.
I'm also craving natural textures as I create my cozy spaces, which means it's time to declutter my nest. I honestly have not had a minute since we got back from the cottage, so that's on my list this month. But most of all, between being home and the cooler days, comfort food has become a staple in our daily meal plan. Gone are the salads, and now we're onto lots of soups and heartier meals full of goodness, and our list is pretty diverse, from beef stew to chili to beef barbacoa tacos. All of that means my pantry needs a little fall refresh too.
My Top 5 Fall Pantry Staples Right Now
1. Our NEW Everything Bagel Seasoning
I have to start with the newest addition to our spice family. When Porter and I were in NYC last year, we stopped at one of those highly reviewed bagel shops and... mic drop. It changed my life. I came home knowing an everything bagel spice had to be part of our spice blends, and while it took the team and me a bit to perfect it, man, it's sooo good! It's on my eggs, my avocado toast, and pretty much anything that sits still long enough.
2. Potato Pizzazz Seasonings
Speaking of seasonings, you all know by now that potatoes in the fall are chef's kiss. That's why any of our Potato Pizzazz seasonings are always in our house. My favourite would be the Roasted Red Pepper, and it's so versatile you can even make dips out of it. Roasted, mashed, or tossed into a hearty soup, it never lets me down on a busy weeknight.
3. A Preserve for the Ultimate Grilled Cheese
When the weekend rolls around, our go-to treat is a gourmet grilled cheese on fresh sourdough from the farmers market with one of our preserves tucked inside. Our favourite loaf is a cheddar jalapeño, and right now I'm pairing it with our Wild Blueberry Preserve. That sweet and spicy combo is jamazing every single time. I must add, I'm super excited about my 2026 adventure of mastering sourdough myself! I just signed up for an online workshop with my friend, Lori McCarthy from Newfoundland, and I'm super pumped about it.
4. Red Pepper Jelly for Sunday Snacking
Then Sunday comes, and we're trying to get into Sunday football. To me, that really means getting creative with the snacks, and sometimes a good snackish feast like a cheese dip or a cheese ball becomes dinner. Having a jar of our Red Pepper Jelly in the pantry means I always have a fun starting point, and I want to try some new recipes this season, so stay tuned! In the meantime, head over to our website for more recipes to round out your game day spread.
5. Pie Filling for a Belated Thanksgiving
And lastly, we have to finish with something sweet. Since we missed Thanksgiving this year, a raspberry cream cheese pie made with our Pie Filling is definitely in the pantry. Who says you need a holiday to have pie? I'm calling it a belated Thanksgiving and not apologizing for it one bit.
It Feels Good to Be Home
There's nothing quite like being back in my own kitchen with my playlist on and our kids around the table again. Whether it's a pot of chili on a weeknight, a weekend grilled cheese, or a Sunday snack spread in front of the game, I'm ready to settle in with my favourite people and enjoy every cozy minute of fall.
If you want to follow along a little more on my journey, come follow me on Substack. I'd love to have you there!
Lots of love,
Marsha
