It’s officially fall now. (Am I supposed to capitalize Fall? As a rule I think I overcapitalize, but it looks so insignificant with its lowercase “f”.) You wouldn’t really notice summer is done, since it’s been warm and lovely and mostly nice, if it weren’t for the darkness creeping in earlier each night and staying longer each morning. Andrea wrote a nice bit the other day about how she is like a tree and takes her cues on the changing seasons from the changing light levels. (Sorry, I didn’t link directly to that post, but there are worse things you could do on a rainy Monday morning than ramble through Andrea’s archives.)
Every season, including F(f)all, is my favourite season — for the first two weeks. I love the change. Yes, me who suffers heart palpitations at the mere thought of change. Even though I adore summer above all else, after weeks of sunshine and disruption and indulgence fall comes as a bit of a relief. Fall means back to school, back to work, back to routines and schedules – and I love routines and schedules even more than I hate change.
Plus, I love the change in wardrobe. I’m not much of a clothes horse, but I could go crazy in the stores when they start pulling out those plaid kilts and rich tweeds and jewel-toned sweaters for fall. After trying all summer to find the right ensemble that will look professional, not wilt in the heat and not give me heat stroke during the 30+C stifling bus ride home, being able to pull out the layers of fall is a treat.
I also welcome the return of seasonal foods. I find that outside our ubiqutous take-out fillers, we eat certain foods only in certain seasons. I made a pot of chili last week, something I haven’t done since April even though it’s one of the few things I can cook reliably. Same with roast beef (although the reliability on that one is a little sketchy.)
In this month’s Chatelaine magazine I found a good half-dozen or so recipes that seem to meet our family dining requirements: so quick and simple a ten-year-old could cook them, with few ingredients found in all major grocery stores, and containing foods that Simon if not Tristan might actually consider eating. Tonight I’m test-driving rotini with roasted squash, tomatoes, olives and creamy chevre. I am so full of enthusiasm in the first two weeks of the season that I will even try a new recipe on a weeknight. It’s nearly miraculous.
What’s your cue that it’s officially (F)fall? Back to school? Darkened mornings? New TV season? (I could go on for paragraphs more on that one. Anybody catch the new Survivor? Looks like a great season. And Amazing Race starts tonight. And Desperate Housewives and LOST are back, too. Oh glorious box, how I love your comforting glow as the evenings linger!)
Hey Dani!
Fall is one of my favorite seasons too. I love to wear BOOTS (not winter just the dressy with a heel boots) and jeans and a nice top or turtle neck with a JACKET…A dressy jacket, I love to dress like that. What cue’s me that fall has arrived the cooler air. I love that brisk air cleans the lungs out after the hot warm air of the summer. Although the one thing I hate about Fall and only starting this year is the amount of BEE’S around. I have to keep a close eye on Nathan for this.
Good one my dear.
Mmmm…. Is there an invitation to supper that I am hearing? Sounds wonderful and, come to think of it, I have made NO supper plans as of yet!
Dani, Fall is so yummy, I have already started with the Fall recipes. Have used the “Crock Pot” to fill the house with warm smells of food all day. We have also been using the fireplace (we were without one for six years) to take of the morning or afternoon chill.
Welcome Fall
Anna
PS…Survivor is my favourite sight in the fall :~)
I like fall, too, especially in terms of being able to wear pants again. There’s just so many months of looking at my legs that I can stand!
love the fall, brisk air, cozy sweaters, delicious in-season veggies and fruits, back to routines but most of all the fact that all my kids were born in teh fall
I’m addicted to Earl, The West Wing, and Gilmore girls.
Further, I love sweaters, jeans, and hiking boots or clogs.
Finally, I am in love with food. Or didn’t I mention that one meeeelion times already.
Baking season, baby!
Yvonne, you don’t want to come to our place for dinner. First, because I would not ask even my dearest friends to sit in on new recipe night. Second, because we are snot central – wicked head cold in progress with Tristan and on the way for the rest of us. Appetizing, eh?
R2K, did that Earl show start yet? I saw the previews and it looked funny, but I didn’t see it debut.
xo Dani, obviously in good company
My cue that it’s officially fall is when I have to turn on the headlights to drive to work. This gets us back to the changing light levels again, but it’s true: “Whew, it’s dark!” is my first Fall thought every year.
Pants = decreased need to shave legs
Baking = alreayd done more in past 2 weeks than we did all summer
TV = finally something good to watch!
Doesn’t AR start tomorrow?
It’s all about the clothes, baby. 🙂
Nancy – you’re right. AR on Tuesday nights. Monday was so long it should have qualified as two days. Now it feels like Wednesday. I’m so confused!
Oh shoot, I missed AR? Yesterday was just a BAD day!
To me, it’s the light change that signals fall. It seems like such a sudden shift to me.