Gentle Weather

This morning's chilly air announced that it is time to change the bed linens from light cotton sheets to thick quilts and woolen blankets. The tights and sturdy socks were retrieved from the storage bin, my favorite black sweater dress reappeared at its rightful place in the closet. Cold little toes on even the colder linoleum kitchen floor begged for the oven to be turned on, when the oven is on there must be some thing waiting to rise in it's heat. Banana bread found it's way onto the table, just as the sleepy man of the house roused from under the sheets, all before the sun came up. 

I cherish these transitions, when the day's light waits a little while before kissing your face good morning through the curtains. People feel inspired, the holidays are coming, meals and gifts are being planned already. My list of holiday knitting seems to grow by the day, that barista that pulls the consistently beautiful espresso, I'm sure he'd love a pair of mittens too, they don't take long to make. 

To celebrate the coming of fall I usually start with an apple pie. Sadly, the mild winter and late frost last spring killed off most of the apples around here. Just yesterday I heard a farmer speaking on the radio about how he had so few apples in his orchard he named them all, just like we name hurricanes, started with Alice and got to Rachel. We will have to find an equally delicious substitute, a butternut squash pie will do nicely, with real maple syrup for a little extra sweetness, and maybe some sage in the crust. Yes, yes this will do. Brussels sprouts will be nice and sweet, showing up on farmers market tables soon. 

The subtle nudging of cooler weather gently reminds us to start  "putting up" those jams and stocks, saving those final summer harvests and plan for the harshness of winter. "Start looking for a sturdy pair of boots" it says. This winter particularly may be harder for our family, considering my decision to stay home with Julian instead of taking him to work with me. A part of me is fearful, the convenience of having a bit extra for the little luxuries will be dwindling. Things like bartering and exchanges of time for favors will come in handy, maybe a baby sitting co op for date nights, or a family set of hats, socks and mittens for a share of the fall csa. I'll have to ask. This is also slightly exciting, creativity mostly comes from necessity , it's all about the way we choose to view things. 

What preparations will you be making in these next few weeks? 

Thanks for reading, 

K