Perfect Autumn Days

 I love the brilliant, crisp sunlight on these precious autumn days.  I love sleeping a bit later because nightfall is holding onto the dawn a bit longer each morning.  I love the fiery brilliance as the afternoon sun falls upon the leaves of many colors. I love sleeping under blankets and feeling the cold breeze sneak through the open window.  I am enchanted by the colors of winter squash, rainbow carrots, purple daikon, watermelon radish, golden beets, and snow-white turnips.  I am mesmerized by the frantic feasting of hundreds of bees at Amy's fall asters (she's as good a cook for the insects as I am for all of you!).  I greet the last, lingering butterflies and the first winter-resident birds with equal gratitude.  I greedily revel in every riot of color, knowing I'll be residing in grays and whites ever so soon.

Though I am still feasting upon the luxurious flavors of summers' tomatoes, peppers, and melons, I am drawn down through the earth to the cool, quiet allure of roots and tubers. Our days in the kitchen turn towards deeper flavors, darker colors, and long, slow cooking.  I welcome the chill in the air as I'm held by the warmth of the hearth.  May we all revel in the pleasure of summer's last juicy tomatoes as we turn toward the cool air and waning light.