Best of All, We Love the Fall

The autumnal equinox came and went on Saturday and already we're noticing the night creep into more and more of our daylight.

I don't mind the longer evenings though. Andy and I often devote an hour or so after work to hike through the autumn forest looking for grouse until twilight falls and by the time we return home, it's nearly dark. The darkness reinforces the idea that autumn evenings are for quiet, peaceful projects . . . or movies and popcorn.

Although we've had a bunch of blustery, autumnal weather (aka, down right cold and wicked) lately, we've somehow managed to avoid a killing frost. The garden keeps chugging along, but since we've had such minimal rainfall in the last month and significantly less daylight, things like cucumbers aren't plumping up overnight like they were back in August. While I have a rather sadistic wish for all of the pole beans to just freeze already one of these nights (the thought of washing, chopping, and blanching another gallon or two of green beans makes me rather weary - although I know I should be relishing the bountiful harvest), I'm still pulling for the Brussels sprouts which are still teeny tiny.

Even with the lingering garden produce, it's clear that autumn's here in earnest. We're all set with firewood for the year so other than some restacking, we won't have to devote much time to that autumn chore. Still there's a sense that it's time to start making preperations for the winter ahead. Andy and I like to walk around these days and say knowingling to each other, "Winter is coming." It makes us feel very profound.

Source: thechive.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I have to admit, apples get a higher ranking than pumpkins as "autumn food of choice" in my book. Already we've been noshing on apple cider and some local apples. Hopefully within the week, I'll have time to make a batch of applesauce.

I always feel the most myself in the autumn. External demands on my time decline and I get to reclaim my wardrobe of sweaters and vests (but never together . . . I do not do sweater vests.) Besides, I think it's easier to think clearly when the air is crisp and the leaves start to fall. While I miss the wildflowers of the spring and summer, I find the starkness that comes after the fall color and before the snow beautiful in a simple, timeless way.

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

What do you love about the fall?

Be sure to link up your autumn themed post as part of Margot's September Blog Party.