Falling into the weather

So the fall is here and it looks like sandal weather shortly ending.

I love the fall!

New season, changing colours and crisper temps. Can't believe it's October already, but its nice to have four seasons, with new beginnings and changes in the air.

Yesterday morning was really hard getting out of bed, what with the gloomy sky and rain drip drip dripping on the window it really was soothing and lulling me back to sleep. None the less finally got up and went for a brisk walk and was mesmerized by the changes. Just last week everything seemed green and summery and yesterday as I walked down our tree lined streets the leaves were changed and some were falling, the squirrels were running around gathering their meals, the smell and look of the vibrant mums at every one's doorsteps was mesmerizing and there was a comforting need for a nice sweater and a cup of cocoa.

Another thing I love about the fall is the changes in our cooking and eating. No longer green crisp and cool salads on the table, but the smell of Cinnamon heats up at our house. I love the smell of candied apples and sweet potatoes as well as roasted squash in the oven. A nice roast in the oven with some baby potatoes!... you can see the pregnant woman loves food.

Completely reminds me of harvest and thanksgiving.

When I was a little girl I loved hearing the stories from my parents of the harvest back home - they're from Northern Portugal - the vendimas/ harvesting of grapes and wine making... mmm wine, another part of loving the fall (too bad I'm not partaking in that this year).

My parents would tell me stories about how they'd prepare for the winter with the harvesting of the years crops and making all those wonderful salted and smoked goodies like Presunto and Choricos as well as great stews and corn bread, which were a tradition in most country homes.

We still do that here with tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce (piri-piri) making and canning as well as the other preserves and jams my mom and I make to store for the winter. My father still makes is own wine at home- speaking of which their garage smells like it was hit by a wine loving frat party.

Before the cold sets in they also make the salted ham and sausages as well as other lovely things to tide everyone over for the holidays and long winter.

I love that my sister and I were born in Canada, but we can still try to keep some of the traditions my parents brought with them when they came to their new home. It's such a wonderful time.

My husband and share the same background so it's nice that we will be able to share that with the Peanut and that even though both sets of grandparents are from the same country there will be different traditions and ways of doing things on both sides.

How do you all celebrate the change in season?

That reminds me... I need to start organizing the clothing switch from summer clothes to the fall/warmer wardrobe. Also need to get the garden ready for the fall, but will need to enlist the hubby on that one.

We have a large backyard, so I grow tomatoes and beans as well as collard greens and peas. It wasn't a bad crop this year, but now we need to clean up all that is left and do some composting. I made lots of organic tomato sauce and have frozen peas for a while. The collards will make a nice Caldo Verde.

Don't you just love the fall season?

Oh, by the way. Thanks to the lovely ladies who sent me comments welcoming The Peanut and I to the blogging world. It was really nice that you visited us and thanks again for the kind words.