Enjoying autumn by the hour

I've been work, work, working and then working a wee bit more the last few weeks. When the alarm goes off it is dark outside and cold in the house. When I come home, it is usually dark already once more. The moments I spend in the light are fleeting but savored. I drive across the Raritan River each day on the way to the cafe. Seeing the view each time makes me gasp a little. Huge swatches of gold bump up against the blue sky. This past week I've been so inspired by nature's last push for color. The maples are scarlet and orange. Bushes sing out in fuschia melodies as the oaks and elms provide the harmony.

Autumn is my season. 

We are making big batches of golden hued butternut squash soup, scarlet roasted beets and pumpkin cupcakes for the cafe. I want people to taste autumn in all it's glory inside each mouthful.

Yesterday we drove around leaf peeping and then rested in a rose garden surrounded by beautiful trees. A rambunctious beagle puppy ran to us to say hello. I think autumn brings out the best and brightest in all of us. We feasted on guinness dipped onion rings,  fancy  burgers and milkshakes and then watched scary movies until I fell asleep on the couch.

The clocks fell back last night. That makes today one of my favorite days of the year. How delicious is that gift of an extra hour. I wandered between luscious laziness and productivity. Between making Manhattan clam chowder, a pear cranberry cake, baked sweet potatoes and a lamb meatloaf, I managed to read half a novel while snuggled up with Quentin on the couch, harvest leeks and herbs in the garden, catch up with my bad girl posse, do laundry and start setting aside some things for a family that is about to make a fresh start.

I wonder how you used your extra hour today?

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[cyndemouse]

Recovering from my three night Pearl Jam extravaganza, I watched Part 2 of an Italian miniseries called The Best of Youth, while eating bon-bons:home-made rice krispie treats. Later that night I added a few new pieces to my etsy shop, www.refinerydesigns.etsy.com. Lovely low key day.