Autumn is creeping--

It's a chillier start to the day today than it has been in ages. Not yet raining, either, but dark-- I feel autumn creeping in. Today, after work, I want to make a roasted corn/tomato/basil salad to go with oven-roasted salmon for dinner. I'll make an apple pie, too. 

It's strange how the time of year, not just the weather, dictates what we choose to prepare and to eat. I feel like this is the transition-- last of the tomatoes, pick all the basil, fresh local corn, etc. I bought a nice little acorn squash at the farmers' market on Sunday. I was eyeing stew beef at the store. It's almost soup and stew weather. In fact, I made a huge pot of chili this week, and a baked mac/cheese with ham. Casseroles! 

I don't mind the autumnal trends of sweaters and hearty soups. I'm not that in love with winter, but mostly due to the inconveniences of bitter cold and snow/ice. I often say, if I could just stay home and watch it snow, and know my family and I don't have to go out in it to get to somewhere, I'd be all set. 

This coming Saturday and/or Sunday, I'll be making bread, and maybe even picking more herbs to make and freeze some herbed butter. It's easy to do, and it's so useful in the winter months--roasting a chicken or the Thanksgiving turkey with herbs and butter makes them all the nicer. 

We have a bit of rain in the forecast, but nothing like coastal New England-- I'm glad, as I am about to float away. We've been drenched almost nonstop. I'd love a cool, crisp, sunny stretch of days. 

Stay dry, 

C