Read on for my favorite autumn groceries, a sneaky way to make your home smell like fall using only your stove, and a bone-chilling joke that’s sure to spook your grandma.

Maddie’s cozy grocery picks for fall:

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisps. I put this crunchy, mildly spicy, flavor packed chili crisp on everything once fall is here. Eggs, pizza, pasta, or add to mayo for a spicier aoili. And Lao Gan Ma translates to “Old Grandmother” which is the vibe around here.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Coffee. When I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, the holiday seasonal coffees definitely help. A classic, simple, no fuss PS flavor is jsut what I need on chilly autumn mornings. The price tag doesn’t hurt either.
Sourdough Bread. A loaf of sourdough from your local bakery is so versatile, especially in the fall. Use it for breakfast for french toast, dry some out and use as croutons, or host guests with a spooky tartine spread.
Canned Tomatoes. Specifically Bianco Dinapoli, but really any canned tomato will work. With plump, juicy, seasonal summer tomatoes decreasing on produce shelves, having cans of tomatoes in every cabinet is my go to for cozy fall sauces or to simmer proteins. Try this super simple recipe that I’m currently making at least once a week.
Halloween Candy. I may or may not get trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, but I still love picking up a big back of my favorite candies and putting them in spooky bowls arounds my house.

Autumn Scented Stovetop Potpourri 🍎

I have a memory of my childhood home always smelling like something was on the stove. My mom cooked for us every night… and I mean every night. There was always a scent of garlic or tomato sauce or a stock on the stove. So every October when my fall-scented candles flicked their last flame, I decide to save my pennies and scent up my home the old fashion way: my stovetop. Here’s how I do it, but the best part is that you can really combine anything you have on hand to fine tune the scent to your liking.

Fill a large pot on the stove with water. Add 1 sliced apple (keep the core intact), orange peels, ginger, star anise (don’t overdo it here!), cinnamon sticks, a palm-full of whole coffee beans, and some cloves. Heat up on low heat until simmering, and keep simmering as long as you need to fill up your house with the fragrance. Add more water to the pot as needed. And voila! Your home will fill with the scent of a crisp autumn day in no time.