Happy Fall

[DeLuca's market, Newbury St, Boston; 9/12/10]

That *is* my happy face.

I've always had mixed feelings about fall, the main drawbacks being the afflictions of ragweed allergies and the awareness of ever shortening hours of daylight. September is usually the worst on both counts, ragweed pollens being high and early sundown being suddenly, alarmingly noticeable. By October, we've gotten used to the idea that summer is really over. Overnight frosts begin to kill the pollens and the gorgeous colors of autumn on crisp sunny days cheer us up. By October, we've put away our sandals and flimsy clothes and replaced them with sturdy shoes and cozy sweaters. The joyful tastes and smells of apple pies and pumpkin ravioli await.

Tonight marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere. In the Boston area, we're in the midst of a brief warm spell that belies the turn of the seasons. But it's coming. We'll know it for sure in October.

Comments

[Relatively Retiring]

I can almost smell autumn on those fruits!

[Roberta]

I LOVE fall and winter but it is because I am just not cut out for Central Texas weather. I wilt May - August. I'm just a sucker for dog pics. This one made me smile.

[Leslee]

RR: Someone had apple pie in the office last week and it tasted so good!

Roberta: Yeah, I can see how summer would be not so fun in Texas. It was wilting enough here this summer. But I love the long hours of daylight. And winter is so-o-o long here.

[Sky]

The pantry has 9 new quarts of spiced applesauce and will soon have apple butter and apple jelly. The trees are showing leaves tinged in red, yellow, and orange. It's in the high 40s - low 50s at night, and we're wrapped up in blankets. Fall has arrived!

[Leslee]

Sky, we're back in sandals and tank tops right now! But it's supposed to cool down soon. The apple harvest must be good out there!