1. At Home Coziness

During the mois noirs, I feel no compunction to “get aside and enjoy the beautiful day.” And it’s absolutely fine when days spent indoors turn into …

2. Early nights

I get into bed by 9 most weeknights and am perfectly OK with that. It’s dark outside and has been for hours. It’s warmer in bed and, right now, the Australian Open is played at weird Aussie hours.

3. The Australian Open

4. The color burgundy

And I’d throw into the sartorial pile: velvet, suede and (fake) fur.

5. Pink mornings

Of varying hues. Just now, at 8 a.m., we are a pale pink with a little orange and cranberry along the horizon.

6. Days getting longer

This as opposed to the slow shaving off of daylight as summer slips away, darkness coming a minute earlier every evening.

7. Fires in the fireplace

And wood smoke against a dark sky. And the smell of it in the air.

8. A pot of chili on the stove

Go ahead, crumble in some cornbread.

9. A bowl of oatmeal

10. A glass of red wine

You knew that was coming. A ruby in the glass, the rasp of tannin on your tongue, followed by its slow swirling heat through your veins. You will be mine tonight, you scarlet vixen you.