That first taste of Fall


There is a most magical time of year. It is a time when summer produce is still available, but there is the faintest snap of cold in the early morning air. It is a time when the light is changing in a perceptible way, and yet the sun still shines hot and golden all day. It is a time of year when produce seems to give it its all and turn out more tomatoes, basil and flowers than ever before. It's hard to believe this magical time of year because just shy of three weeks prior, summer was in full swing. We were camping, it was sweltering, the days were oppressive, the evenings steamy; it seemed certain that summer would go on forever. But our clever blue earth tilts on and summer is forced to give way. 

That magical moment is now. 

We woke up to R-A-I-N this morning. I could not get out of bed for how cozy and wonderful everything felt. I actually wore a scarf today! Fall is coming and fall is my forever favorite. I am over the moon. 


Every year when fall comes along, I get really tired. For some reason the change of seasons awakens within me a need to rest. I suppose it's because all summer long we are busy, doing, getting out there, staying on. I love the duality of this magical time of year. High octane meets calm as we spin from hot, fast, intense summer into cool, slow, mellow fall.


I came home from work today and took a nap. I cat napped for twenty minutes. The sheets felt cool and smooth; my duvet fluffy and warm. Something about late summer (or shall we call it early fall?) napping is so intoxicating and inspiring. 


After twenty minutes quite nearly on the dot, I woke up with a start and an idea. I took a rapid mental inventory of the ingredients I had on hand. Asparagus, check. Arborio, probably just enough. White wine, check and check: Two older bottle ends that needed to be used up or tossed out. Parmesan, check: It was just about down to the rind, but enough to grate a cup or so. Onion, check. Lemon, check.  Chicken broth, always. There was only one thing left to do and that was to make a beautiful summer-meets-fall Lemon Asparagus Risotto. That's exactly what I did and it was perfection. Total end of August bliss.

Sometimes, when we stop and enjoy the little things right in front of us, life really is so extraordinarily beautiful. Do you enjoy the changing of the seasons? What is making you feel satisfied, content or awestruck right now?

Comments

  1. I love your description of these sort of days...it's perfection. We're having the same over here in Seattle and I love to relish your words. Thanks!

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    1. I always think I'm sad that summer is over...and then fall comes along and I remember how amazing it is. So glad you feel the same way and get it, Nicole! ;) xoxo

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  2. Its nice and cool in the mornings here but still freaking 85 by noon! All the pools are closed and I am over sweltering at the playgrounds just to get my kids some outdoor time. On the plus side we will probably swim in the rivers until September on the weekends! But I do love Fall...for the last few years we have been going south to the beach for one last swim around late Sept/early October. Then I am ready to say goodbye to summer:)

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    1. It's hot here this week, too. I'm dressing the kids in shorts and tank tops with sweatshirts over the top for the morning. By afternoon they're all hot and sweaty! Eeeeew. But also kind of fun. With any luck, we'll have an Indian summer and I'll be saying goodbye to summer at the same time as you. Fingers crossed!

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  3. That sounds so lovely. By the end of summer I am always looking forward to being able to sleep comfortably in a cosy duvet. That being said, it's finally Spring here in Australia and I'm so looking forward to warmer weather. I think more than loving any season in particular, I love the changing of seasons itself. Just imagine if we had one season all the time? Eek!

    That Risotto sounds delicious!

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    1. I'm with you on the changing! It's so phenomenal to think of the scale of change. Very inspiring and it feels good to the body and soul. If you want to make risotto, Mark Bittman's recipe is the best I've tried so far. In six months, when it's cooling off in Australia, it's right here: http://markbittman.com/laid-back-risotto/

      Also - do you read Smitten Kitchen? She always recalls what she ate on previous years - and adjusts it six months for the southern hemisphere. I love that! xx

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    2. It really does. Change is so necessary!

      Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check Smitten Kitchen out :)

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