October is here

Well friends, it is the first of October and here in upstate NY the sun is trying to shine. The leaves are rapidly changing into a spectacular vision of reds and golds. The first gallon of fresh pressed apple cider is in the refrigerator. The last of locally grown produce is being harvested.

We begin the transition from the warmth of the summer sun to the cool days of autumn.The screens come out, the blankets are pulled from the closet, warm pj's make their first appearance since April.

The crock pot and soup kettle come out of their summer nesting place and begin to simmer with our favorite comfort foods. Homemade applesauce is warm on our plate, homemade apple pie fills the house with the comforting aromas of apple and cinnamon. Pumpkin rolls are filled with sweet cream cheese as we practice our recipes for the coming holiday season.

Pumpkins, mums, and cornstalks begin to line the walkways, driveways and porches in preparation of Halloween. The children are trying to decide what costume they want to wear on the one day of the year they can be whoever or whatever they want.

The first of October is also the time when we put our gardens to rest for the cold blustery winter that lies ahead and as every it year sneaks up on us while were still trying to eke out a few more minutes of the warmth of the final fall days.

As the days become shorter and the nights cooler we spend more time inside our homes curled up on the sofa with our kids and/or honeys to watch a movie or a football game. Pop the popcorn bring out the warm cider or hot cocoa and enjoy these fall days. Soon enough we will be throwing ourselves into the holiday mode and for many, time will be at a premium and those quiet moments of fall will give way to the hub bub of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This weekend make a pot of your favorite soup or stew, whip up an apple pie or a bit of homemade applesauce go out and enjoy the foliage if you can.

I dread the coming of winter, but I plan to head into those cold, snowey days with the peaceful comforting time of fall filling my mind and await the first night in spring. When we can open the windows to hear the creatures of summer begin to sing us into the lazy hazy days of summer.

Enjoy and stay warm.