Horrible... cold feet
Lovely... warm blankets and quality time with the family
Here is what I am up to this fine Sunday afternoon, while Nat is taking a nap after his 12 hour work day last night and while the kids watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
the BIG stewing pot is full of...
APPLES and spices! This is before the 1 hour of rapid boil (it is almost there) but the smells that are already coming from the stove is making my mouth water.
With the rain and the wind howling outside, this is the perfect afternoon to make such a treat. It sure is beginning to feel, and smell, more like Autumn weather.I am beginning to think that this IS easier than making applesauce... I didn't have to peel and core the apples.
OH, the smells that are coming from my kitchen... I wish there was smell software for the computer, so you could add them to emails, blog posts, etc... The aroma that is filling our home is soooo much more enticing than a little candle that has the scent of apple cider can offer and provide (and I LOVE burning scented candles in our home).
after an hour of boiling. Now it's time to cover and bring down to a simmer for 2 hours. The house is smelling sooooooo scrumptious now.
after two hours of simmering. Now it's time to take off the heat and cool down
finished product!
And the verdict? It was a hit! Nat says that it could be a little sweeter, but I like the tartness to it. We added a caramel to it, and that was an even better treat, almost like a caramel apple
I am sooo yearning for FALL to come. I love the smell of rain that has not yet come to my door. I love gazing out my window and seeing the deep reds, oranges, and browns, but... THEY AREN'T HERE!
Autumn is my all time favorite time of year. Is it because all of my favorite colors just happen to appear everywhere in nature, or is it because of the clean scent that rain leaves in its wake? The humbling answer is... YES.
I look forward to decorating my home for autumn, especially once October comes. But, I just can't seem to get in the mood when we're are still having 90 degree weather. I want the 70's to come. I love the brisk cool sensation that gently caresses my skin while out enjoying nature. Not cold enough for a coat, but make you think... "Do I need a sweater?"
This is the time of year when, I like to be in my all time favorite getup, sweat pants (yes, I did say SWEAT PANTS), I can't help it, I am just that kind of girl (or is it tomboy), I don't need anything to froo froo (or however you spell that). I don't feel bad about pulling out my crockpot and making many soups that my heart so desires in autumn. I love to wrap up in a warm blanket, sipping my homemade cocoa, reading a book or even watching a 'chick' flick, or any other kind of movie (no horror please, I get nightmares, literally!) I also like to start my baking season (banana breads, apple, peach and pear cobblers, etc). Autumn also means that I get to start making my own bread once again (summers are too HOT, especially with no bread maker). Getting to pull out my downed comforter to curl up in as I retire for the night.
Please, if anyone is listening, could you take away the summer weather and turn it into fall, so I can go jump in the many leaf piles with my kids that are waiting to be scooped up and turned into mulch. All the leaves that I tenderly and briskly rake up, thankful for the time that I get to have the crisp air filling my lungs, and for breaking into a sweat.
Disclaimer: In the past week, I have read 7 1/2 books. So, therefore, my descriptive words have come out. Just in case you were wondering where I was for the past week, my nose was inside a few books...
Autumn is finally coming around. Here are some pictures that I took up in Meadow Vista today, out in the homeschooling garden. The kids planted the pumpkins in May, they have taken over most of the garden. Smith's Funny Farm, I hope you like these pumpkins. I am ready for Pumpkin pie, Pumpkin cookies, Pumpkin bread, Pumpkin pancakes (very YUMMY!), the list goes on and on and on.... 
