an autumn tradition

'twas a circus theme this year

"lost" in the corn maze

getting ahead of the gardens

(photo from mid-June)

It's so strange. Really strange, considering how I've been longing for summertime during the past few months. But lately, I've found myself looking expectantly toward autumn.

The truly bizarre thing is that we've had hardly any real summer weather where I live. It didn't really get warm and sunny until the first few days of July, and even those days have been rather few and far between. (And I know this won't endear me to those suffering from triple-digit temperatures in other parts of the country!) Largely we've had temperatures around 65 or 70*, and often gray skies, even rain.

But perhaps that's exactly the issue. Maybe all these cool days are bringing to mind the stunning beauty of an Oregon autumn.

Or maybe it's the fact that the clothing stores are transitioning to their fall lines. Or it could be the disenchantment I feel with my growing girth - it's feeling much less charming and much more tubby...and probably on some level I'd feel more comfortable layering on sweaters & corduroys than strolling around in tank tops and sundresses.

And yet... and yet, I still haven't tasted my first summer tomato, or sunk my teeth into a seasonal ear of corn. Last weekend marked our first ripe peaches from the farmers' market, and I am still entirely enthralled with the bounty of summer berries. And I can't resist hoping that the cucumber plants in our garden will produce something worth tasting, one of these days.

There's a lot of good stuff still coming.

So I'm going to relax and relish these days of summer. Flaky weather, retail shops, and weight gain? Forget them. I think I'll take my cues from the calendar and the garden and farmers' market instead.

And when I stumble across my first acorn squash out there, that's when I'll go dig out my sweaters and corduroys...

fall favorites

We've been relishing the bounty of fall in our house. Over the weekend, Jeff and I made an apple pie (I really enjoy it when we get a chance to work in the kitchen together!), and it's been very popular. I adore pears, apples, and other harvest goodies.

A dish that our family as really fallen for this season is squash fries. We've tried two varieties, both from The Nourishing Gourmet: Roasted Delicata Squash Slices and Butternut Squash Fries. Roasting in the oven, they smell so wonderful! They've been a big hit, and I'm so glad I decided to try them. I've always had a hard time with squash (the only exception was spaghetti squash, drowning in pasta sauce and Parmesan cheese), but these are delightful!

Of course, one of the most comforting things that the cool weather has brought into my kitchen is soup. I adore soup - warm, cozy, often easy to prepare. Our current favorites are Sally Fallon's Red Meat Chili (found in "Nourishing Traditions") and Chicken Rice Soup.



And what would autumn be without pumpkin goods? I could hardly wait to make my Spiced Pumpkin Bread. Sweet, with just enough spices to warm it up, it's delicious as a snack or dessert. I love how soft it is, with just a little crunch on top. Scrumptious!

But without a doubt, the most popular item I've made this fall is this Old-Fashioned Caramel Corn from Kimi at The Nourishing Gourmet. I've made it twice now, and let me tell you, it is utterly addicting. Still, such a nice treat, and it feels so right for the crisp, cool weather. Crunchy, sweet, buttery...I'll stop now; my mouth is watering...

Ah autumn. I love it so. And because I do, I'm going to close with a quote I found on Kristin's blog - because I find it all so delicious.

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns. ~George Eliot

autumn gush

I love autumn.

I know it's not technically here yet, and even if one were to go by "school has started, it's autumn"... the weather is pretty warm still. But in spite of all that, there's a nip in the air, and...well, after all, it is September. So I'm going to officially embrace autumn's arrival, come what may.

Today I changed the bedding in the master bedroom. It's become a bit of a ceremonial thing with me; I change the bedspread & sheets every autumn and every spring. The spring/summer bedding is cream, blue, and mauve (including a beautiful quilt that Jeff's mom and grandmother made as a wedding present), and the autumn/winter bedding is a warm brown & deep brick red. It always makes me feel so happy to make the seasonal bedding change...it feels like I am ringing in the new part of the year in my own little way.

I can't help it, I just love autumn. I love the crisp morning air, the sunny days (well, while they last) and the smell of dried leaves. I love the other smells of autumn, too: pumpkin, spiced apple... I love the colors of autumn: the warm reds, oranges, browns, yellows, and even grays & blacks. I love the clothes of autumn: my beloved corduroy pants, my cozy sweaters. Getting out my clothes when the weather gets cooler is a bit like getting reacquainted with some old, dear friends.

All this said, I may be singing a different tune come November, when the rain starts in (and doesn't relent for four or five months). But for now, I am going to enjoy this beautiful Oregon autumn while I can. It is truly my favorite time of year.