Finding Comfort in the Simple Pleasures of Home

Cozy blankets, favorite sweats and pajamas, comfort food, warm drinks, and a few good shows — simple pleasures that reflect the warmth of the season.

Hello, friends.

What a difference a few weeks can make. Since I last joined you here in September, time has passed in both a blur and slow motion.

If you don’t know, I had to say goodbye to my beloved boy Cisco just over two weeks ago. It all happened so quickly, I still can’t believe he is gone. My heart aches with loss and tears weigh heavily at the back of my eyes, the littlest thing triggering their release.

I have spent the time since my last dispatch sitting with my grief and holding tight to Cisco’s memory. Giving myself the grace to slow down and take things a little easier.

There has been a lot of couch time, snuggled under a blanket in comfy sweats. Warm drinks and foods that nourish the soul. Early-pj nights, feel-good movies, and shows that make me laugh.

Today I’m sharing it all. Whether you too are going through something hard or just want to embrace the warmth of the season, I hope you find something here that feels like a hug — from me to you.

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Cisco

But first, a little bit about my boy…

Cisco’s illness crept up stealthily, and then moved cruelly into full attack mode.

One week I noticed he was lacking his usual energy and enthusiasm. His age finally catching up to him, I thought. Or his back legs seem stiff, maybe it’s arthritis. I made an appointment for him at the vet for October 1st.

And then the next week I suddenly found myself at the emergency clinic on a Saturday morning with a very sick dog and a diagnosis of advanced lymphoma.

Three days later I said my final goodbye to the strong, happy, sweet, loyal, and mischievous boy I loved with all my heart.

For the past 13 years, he and Maddie have been my steadfast companions through the good, the hard, and the everyday. Together we made this bold move to Maine, and together we settled into a new life here — walks in the woods and along the shoreline, outings to antiques stores, grocery store runs, and weekly trips to the transfer station. They were with me for it all. There was breakfast on the deck, days in the kitchen, and nights piled onto the sofa bingeing shows.

I have never known this house or this life in Maine without the two of them in it. And now that Cisco is gone, every motion I go through in my day-to-day is also a memory — an image in my mind superimposed on every scene.

Two pairs of bright eyes looking up at me in the morning, excited for a pre-breakfast almond snack (always having to remind Cisco to chew and not just swallow each one whole).

A glance into the Captain’s Room when I pass by to see if my boy has settled into his favorite spot.

And if I don’t turn my head, I can still pretend his furry body is stretched out on the bed in the waterside guest room, keeping me company while I labor on the Peloton.

His food bowl sits next to Maddie’s, and his collar hangs on the hook in the mudroom. I’m just not ready to put them away.

Oh, buddy, Maddie and I miss you so.

Finding Comfort

It’s the time of year when we naturally start to tuck in for the colder, darker months ahead. This has been particularly true for me this year. Home is where I find comfort, where I retreat to heal my heart and body. Here are some things I have been leaning into recently.

A Cozy Throw blanket

Nothing soothes the soul like curling up on the couch under a cozy throw. Soft and thick Chappy Wrap blankets, with their trademark cotton-blend jacquard-weave, have been my favorite for years. I have two in the den, one in the living room, and another on the porch. Maddie and Cisco were even gifted their own Chappy Wraps. In addition to the classic patterns they offer year-round, Chappy Wrap comes out with limited-edition seasonal drops. I am particularly loving the tongue-in-cheek deer hide print for fall into winter.

Sweats and PJs

Carrying those comfy feels into apparel, I have been spending a good amount of time in snuggly sweats (daytime) and pj’s (evening into night). They pair perfectly with a cozy throw and a warm beverage (more on that later).

The nice thing is that these days there are plenty of options that are a bit more elevated than traditional gym wear, but just as comfortable.

My favorite sweatshirt is the reverse-fleece crew-neck Ziggy, from Perfect White Tee. It’s thick and soft, perfect for days at home, but also dresses up nicely over a button-up shirt with jeans. I have it in two colors… for now.

Other favorites are pieces from The Great and Frank & Eileen. Yes, these are spendy, but their cut and fabric are exceptional. They are pieces I reach for again and again, and are really all that I have wanted to wear recently. If you are patient, you can often find them at reduced prices on resale sites like Poshmark.

For pajamas, I am exclusively a Lake Pajamas gal. Made from soft pima cotton, with a relaxed drapey cut, they are the very best. I have multiple sets — pants, shorts, long and short sleeves. They are the only pj’s my daughters wear too. Try them and you won’t go back.

Pro tip: To double down on the cozy, pair with any of the sweatshirts listed above.

Right now I am thinking of adding this set to my lineup.

Scented candles

A candle in a rich fall aroma fills a room with warmth. This time of year I prefer earthy, woody scents. I also like to get small-batch candles made with all natural ingredients. At the moment I am burning Sandalwood & Birch from Near & Native, a Maine woman-owned small business. Their candles are clean-burning with a crackling wooden wick for added ambiance. I like their Fireside scent too.

Quince also has an extensive line of hand-poured soy-blend wax candles at an excellent price-point. I enjoyed their spring scents and have Cashmere Embers on order. I can’t wait for it to arrive.

Comfort Food

I have been spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen. The familiar ritual of cooking always calms me and, bonus, it fills the house with delicious aromas. My menu these days is heavy on the comfort foods.

Easy lentil soup that comes together in minutes using ingredients from Trader Joe’s — a take on the recipe shared here. (I use diced canned tomatoes instead of sauce, leave out the dried herbs, and add power greens and a good dollop of balsamic vinegar at the end.)

Spiced sautéed apples made from the gnarly but flavorful apples that grow on the tree along the driveway. I top them with my homemade granola and yogurt for what I call Breakfast Apple Crisp. I shared the recipe (including the granola) here.

Farmstand veggies roasted and thrown together with cannellini beans, quinoa and balsamic vinegar for an easy no-recipe seasonal meal.

Two pots of tomato sauce to freeze — just fresh peeled tomatoes, olive oil, and a little salt simmered for about 3 hours.

Cauliflower salad sandwiches with apple, walnuts, dried tart cherries, and curry powder from NYT Cooking.

Speaking of which, I have good news! You know how much I love NYT Cooking. Well, they recently came out with a cookbook featuring 101 of their vegetarian recipes, including some of my favorites. You can buy it here.

Also, in cooking news, Our Place is having a sale, with deals on everything from cookware to small appliances through Sunday. The cute blue Wonder Oven I shared with you recently is 20% off right now. And you can save 30% on the 10.5″ Always Pan, which I have had and used for years. Our Place was kind enough to gift me another pan, which I gave to Zoë. I chose green for her.

Warm Drinks

If we are talking about comfort food, there is nothing that soothes the heart more than a warm drink. Coffee or tea — I enjoy both.

I became hooked on London Fog tea drinks last fall and shared my easy recipe here.

This time of year I like to add some seasonal flavored oat creamer — pumpkin spice or cinnamon — and maybe a dash of maple syrup to my coffee. It makes my morning routine feel just a bit more special.

When I updated my kitchen counter with the Wonder Oven, it prompted a little redo of the small appliances I use to brew my warm beverages.

The Ninja coffee maker I have had for years has been great. It makes everything from a single cup to a full pot. It was large, though. And very black.

Since I am usually just brewing one large mug for myself, I decided it was time to look for something smaller. A quick search brought me to a sleek Ninja single-serve coffee maker that uses grounds or pods, and makes everything from a small 6-ounce hot brew to a 24-ounce iced coffee. It has a built-in milk frother, which I use for my London Fogs. And guess what? It comes in a lovely shade of denim blue. Sigh. I have only been using it for a week, but it is great so far.

Note: I can only find my exact machine on Amazon. There is a similar one, in a lighter blue (as well as green, stone, and, yes, black) on the Ninja website. I have linked them both.

With a new toaster oven and coffee maker, I needed to complete the set with an electric kettle.

I have been eyeing the beautiful Fellow Stagg electric kettle for a while. At this time, though, I just can’t justify paying $200 for a device that boils water. So I did some searching, and of course I found something on Amazon. I don’t normally condone cheaper dupes of proprietary products, but I made an exception for this one. I just didn’t find a design I liked as much in any other kettle. Of course, if you look closely, the Fellow kettle is obviously better made. But for my purposes right now, this one is just fine. Better than that, really — it’s adorable. And it boils my water just as it should.

Movies and Shows

As we all do, I have turned to movies and shows to distract, drown my sorrows, or just make me laugh.

The weekend of Cisco’s diagnosis, I watched A Dog’s Purpose and The Art of Racing in the Rain. I found a sense of comfort in these stories of beloved and loyal dogs who returned to their owner in different forms. It gave me hope that Cisco would not be gone to me forever. Maybe not for everyone, but I think they are both lovely stories.

And for pure feel-good vibes, I have thoroughly enjoyed season 4 of Ted Lasso and the two seasons of The Paper. My kids and I were huge fans of The Office, and while the spinoff might not be quite as good (could anything be?), it is full of quirky characters, funny plot lines, and heart.

Links to some of my Favorite Cozy Things

The Last Few Weeks Into Next

So this is how I have passed the last few weeks.

The pain is still raw, but I am finding comfort in simple things and by caring for Maddie, Tuck, and Izzie. Of course I am grateful to still have them in my life. And don’t worry — Maddie is now getting the love of two dogs.

There have also been other joys that have helped to lift my heart.

Some changes to the house for cozy season. I hope to share those with you next week.

A few brand collaborations I’m excited about.

The beauty of fall unfurling out my windows.

A rainbow one day after a storm, that I interpreted as a sign from Cisco.

Walks with Maddie in the woods.

Pumpkins on the stone wall.

A long-weekend visit by Zoë and Poppy — planned months ago, but coming when it was needed ever so badly.

And then earlier this week the ultimate joy of new life, as our family welcomed its youngest member, sweet Juliette Jacqueline. This is Jack and Margaux’s first, and everyone seems to be settling in well. I have a trip to look forward to later this month to meet my fifth (!) grandchild and support the new parents.

Life is a roller coaster. But oh what a thrilling ride it is.

Take care and be well,