Feeling Fall

So quickly the time seems to be passing....just a little over 30 days ago Nanny Annie was here for a visit. While she was here we went up to the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. It was an 80 degree day and so beautiful. In fact, Timberline Lodge wasn't exactly what I expected with the weather so warm and the sky so blue. My visions of Timberline Lodge included an escape scene from The Shining and snow drifts up to the roof complete with a cup of hot cocoa in front of the lodge fire. Not exactly what we encountered at the end of September. But despite my fear of heights and Nanny Annie's altitude sickness the farmers market lunch (only available during the warmer months) was delicious!

Now, the temperature has quickly dropped and the days are no longer muggy and warm. It seemed almost overnight the leaves changed, the afternoons were crisp, and the days quickly turned into cold nights.....and my favorite time of year was here. I have been celebrating in the kitchen (and in front of the fire with my love). First off, was apple crisp, then apple cake with walnuts, but my favorite apple dish so far this year has been Fried Apples with Rosemary. I love anything with a twist and the addition of rosemary (my idea) to this classic southern dish made it really stand out....especially on top of vanilla ice cream!

Fried Apples with Rosemary

4 apples (any variety)

2 T. butter

2 T. water

1/3 c brown sugar

1 t. honey

1/2 t. fresh rosemary

Peel, core, and slice apples. Melt 2 T. butter in a sauce pan and cook apples until soft. Add the water and stir in 1/3 c. of brown sugar, 1 t. honey, and 1/2 t. fresh rosemary. Cook 2 minutes until brown sugar is caramelized. Serve on ice cream or with waffles.

So, as we move into November the pumpkins placed on our doorstep are being removed, one by one, and a flowering kale plant has replaced the yellow mums. 

But, I am excited for the holiday season and the traditions we get to try again this year (including a 12 foot Christmas tree and an after-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving). One thing I won't be participating in this year is Black Friday since as a public service employee I will be manning the reference desk at the downtown library. No place I'd rather be except maybe Target, but my heart and my wallet will be fuller for it. Enjoy fall wherever you are and take a moment to notice the smell in the air, the crispness of the morning, the gold in the leaves, and for my friends in South Florida the calm before high season approaches since it's always 80 degrees in your world. :)