Isn’t Autumn the most wonderful time of year? It’s so interesting, with so much change and something new happening wherever you look: on the trees; in the ground; in the weather; on the landscape. As sad as it is to say goodbye to summer there’s a sweetness in saying “hello” to a new season and a new chapter.
There’s a lot of newness about autumn. There’s the new school term, with children changing classes or starting school for the first time with new books, new uniform, new pens and new pencils. Even now I love new stationery; there’s something nostalgic and exciting about the smells of blank exercise books waiting to be written in, felt tip pens, new rubbers and pencil lead. Then there’s a whole new wardrobe to worn, with new colours and new fashions for the season. Even if you’re dusting off last year’s coat, scarf and gloves they feel new, having waited patiently through the spring and summer until this time when they’re pulled on once again. And new boots; I have to have new boots. All the better for kicking up the autumn leaves and splashing through puddles.
And, of course, there’s the food. Oh, the food! The mushrooms, the nuts, the apples, the pears, the pumpkins, the game. The list goes on and on and on. How fortunate we are to be able to enjoy such a harvest. Now is the best time to be reaping the rewards of it in the kitchen.
I could go on forever about how I love autumn but instead I asked my friends on twitter what it is that they love about this season, and here’s what they said:
@elleskitchen Everything! but always loved walking though piles of leaves. Love the swishing and crunching sounds.
@niltiac The best thing about autumn is that it’s not winter yet.
@foodwinediarist Autumn faves – game + Pinot Noir, blackberry/apple crumble + Monbazillac, Thai pumpkin soup + Clare Riesling
@WC_Chicago RT @niltiac The best thing about autumn is that it’s not winter yet.
@Wazzat The crispness of day, the chill of the night, and best of all – the fireside delights…
@Farctum all the fruits of the hedgerow
@JamesBrewer for me it has to be pumpkins & squashes, Autumn Lamb, Apples and Pears, Venison, leeks, parsnips. Just so much to choose from!
@markhammick autumn has to be the season of apple crumbles, pear chutneys, hedgerow food and deep earthy casseroles. light the fire and enjoy your labour
@cardiffbites #autumn means soup! butternut squash & chestnut, curried parsnip, sweet potato and chilli. serve with freshly baked bread
@ginandcrumpets The first, crisp coldness in the air that hints at the steamy kitchens and stews to come.
@Cherrapeno Autumn is apples and pears, crumbles and tarts – with lashings of custard!
@TheOrdinaryChef it signals time to get the stewpot out for slow cooked meals by an open fire. Or delayed trains due to leaves on the line…
@poorgirlgourmet crisp air, bright blue sky, wispy clouds, colorful trees, smell of fallen leaves & anything you could want at the farm stand.
@anyone4seconds I love autumn for all the wonderful fruits and berries that still are available to forage and get long into the autumn months
@wwwebbs Humidity and temperature drops simultaneously, encouraging my weight to do the same!
@Bluesky161 I love autumn because it is the season that makes my husband so happy he is bursting. Also apple cider and crisp air
@zubeme RT @Bluesky161 I love autumn because it is the season that makes my husband so happy he is bursting. Also apple cider and …
Tell me: what do you love about Autumn?
I lovelovelove autumn – crunchy leaves on the ground, warming comfort food, APPLES!!! – crumble or tart, i don't care so long as there's plenty of vanilla custard!! oohh and pumpkin pie – an absolute favourite, although I've never bettered the one my dad makes, a challenge for this autumn I think!!
Soup or stew on a cool autumn night are two of my favourite things, along with kicking leaves, knitting scarves in anticipation of winter, the smell of wood stoves….I could go on forever.
I love the shorter days and candle light, the pumpkins and stews, the crisp mornings and the falling leaves. Autumn is definitely my favorite season.
Autumn is my favorite. I feel beautiful surrounded by its colorful palette. The warmth of the sun is tinglingly contrasted with the snapping cool air. The humidity finally falls here and the world becomes a place to walk and explore again after a long summer of hiding in air conditioned buildings.
The sweet potato and sour kale, the rich stew and smooth squash, the earthy aroma of roasting chestnuts all speak comfort to me.
There's nothing I don't love about autumn!
Personally, as pretty as the autumn colours may be, and as bountiful the autumnal harvest no doubt is. They are both a reminder that Summer has ended, and long dark nights await. Yukkk.
The colours, the candles and the opportunity to wear woolly hats again. Not quite at that stage yet. The temperatures up here are still in double figures – summer as far as I'm concerned!
What I really love is the changing of the seasons. I am as easily bored as a child :-).
Fall is my favourite time of year. My husband I actually take many trips to stock up on foods and wines from around the country and enjoy the colors. (click my name for a good wine review site – we always check there before we head out)!
Thanks for your amazing blog and you've been added to my blogroll!
Vanessa
It's my favourite season and I've been dreaming about game pie and rich stews with mounds of buttery mashed potatoes since July! Shame it's still too hot for stew!
Love it! The colors, the quiet peace of the fields & forest half hidden in the morning fogs, the sweet, juicy taste of New Wine (going perfectly well with my mum's special cheese & onion cake!)
…mmhhh!
I love autumn because it means the end of 5 months of 110 plus degree heat in Arizona!
By the time October/November gets here, I am tired of wearing my summer clothes and look forward to wearing my fall and winter wardrobe!
LOVE all your thoughts. I feel toasty and snug now.