08/12/2026
There’s something about the first hint of fall that always takes me back to growing up in Michigan.
Back-to-school season meant cooler days were coming, and one of my favorite traditions was going to Yates Cider Mill. We’d gather apples, get fresh cider and, most importantly, those warm sugar donuts. To this day, I swear they were the best donuts I’ve ever had.
I loved the whole experience. Walking along the river, the hiking trails, the picnic areas, the crisp fall air and coming home with apples. It’s one of those simple childhood memories that has stayed with me.
Maybe that’s part of why I’m still so drawn to the little rituals that make a season feel special. A bowl of apples on the kitchen counter, something baking in the oven, branches brought inside, a table set for people you love.
For me, creating a beautiful home has never just been about how it looks. It’s about creating the backdrop for the memories we carry with us.
Fall will always feel a little bit like Michigan to me.
