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The Comforts of Fall…

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fall leaves

Fall leaves photo from Mist Flower Photo

It’s arrived here on the West Coast… What you ask? Oh you know – that time of year where we get upwards of 20 rain-filled days at a time! Sure, sure it makes everything green. But it also makes everything just a little bit grey too. Yet I can’t help but feel a bit excited too – this is the time of year that I think many of us relish creature comforts just a little bit more. It’s the season where coziness and sweet treats are given more priority than any other. It’s also a time when we come together more often as families for various gatherings – here in Canada, we’re already celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend.

pumpkin desserts

Pumpkin Spice Cake Truffles from: Lolli Dreams

One of my favorite things at a family gathering has got to be playing board games. My family is fiercely competitive and a win at Scrabble or any other game is followed by jubilant cheers from the winner, possibly some dancing around the living room – while the “loser” is forced to watch this gloating with at least a reasonable amount of good cheer!

chess pieces

Handmade Chess Pieces from: Chessets

Family gatherings aside I always see autumn as a time to make the home just a bit more bright and to add a touch of fun here or there. From pumpkin scented candles to candy corn scented soap there is no shortage of great items to be found.

candy corn soap

Candy Corn Soap from: A Breath of French Air

While the wind is howling outside and showers are falling – I do always remind myself too, that spring and summer aren’t really that far off!

What’s In Season Now: October Edition

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While other months may be able to stake claim to being most bountiful October is probably one of the most interesting months during which to eat local. Many places, even in the cold northern regions, still have the tail-end of summer harvests trickling in as the short-season, cool-weather crops we saw at the beginning of spring make their reemergence and the long-season, fall-specific crops make their debut. It makes for a combination of flavors and textures that cannot be accomplished during any other time of year; meals based on cool weather staples — many green and leafy — spiked with the fading flavors of summer and complimented by the hearty, warming hints of autumn and the impending winter.

As you venture to your local farmer’s market and on-farm stands this month take both plenty of reusable produce bags — small, lightweight — and larger, heavy duty reusable sacks to cart back your finds; they’ll range from tender baby spinach leaves to heavy, heirloom squashes. Here’s a short list of what you should be on the lookout for:

Greens

  • Spinach
  • Lettuces
  • Collards
  • Kale
  • Cabbage
  • Chard

Winter Squashes & Pumpkins

  • Buttercup
  • Butternut
  • Spaghetti
  • Pie Pumpkins
  • Jack-o-lanterns
  • Cinderella Pumpkins – like that pictured above, actually a scrumptious variety of squash.

As a bonus, hard-skinned squashes and pumpkins store well under even adverse conditions, making them prime candidates for edible decor. Stack a few of your favorite small varieties atop a cake stand for a center piece, allow larger varieties to adorn front walkways and porch steps until they make their way to the dinner table.

Root Vegetables

  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Radishes
  • Rutabega
  • Daikon

Late Summer’s Leftovers

  • Peppers – hot, sweet, mild and bell.
  • Beans – bush and pole
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Summer Squashes

Of course I would be remiss to leave out the star of last week’s column, apples, like those pictured above. And, since I couldn’t possibly include every in-season item in any one column, do be sure to check out previous installments of What’s In Season Now for more ideas.

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All Produce featured in this week’s column was photographed by the author and sourced from local, Michigan farms. To find farms and farmer’s markets near you check out Local Harvest.

Say Hello to Fall

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Top from: Little Houses

I wonder if I’m the only one who’s hopelessly fickle? One moment I’m wishing it was fall, then the next moment when it gets a bit windy and there’s a nip in the air I’m wanting summer back. I suppose I’ve got a big case of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

Having felt a chill in the air recently and none of the extremely hot temperatures we had in July it’s probably best that I resolve to just look forward to fall and all it’s various delights as it’s really just around the corner.

Coat from: Little Houses

With fall means taking stock of the wardrobe and seeing what’s needed for the season ahead, be it new shoes, a coat, long sleeve tops or a hat and gloves.

Coat from: Little Houses

I’ve had Vancouver local Shanah Flodstrom’s etsy shop, Little Houses, on my radar for quite some time. Launched in 2007, I spotted it on the front page of etsy at some point and couldn’t help but be drawn in by her unique style and great product photography. And now fall is right around the corner so no better time to share her shop with you. Little House’s gorgeous coats have become well known for their large collars, asymmetrical fronts, attention to fit and detail. Everything in Shanah’s shop is constructed by her, from sketch to pattern to garment.

Coat from: Little Houses

Whatever fall shopping you have planned you’ll want to do some searching on the Best of Handmade to see what fun finds are available. As I surfed around tonight I was pleasantly surprised with all the options that are available from designers in the handmade community.

On Year-Round Appreciation

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Midnight Garden Neck Cuff by Phydeaux

There is something about fall that is truly endearing on every level. The combination of warm, soft sweaters; the sound of leaves blowing across the ground; the smell of chill in the air; and the inherent comfort in the foods that call the season home don’t hurt. Of that I am sure. But for small farmers and local growers the season signifies something greater than even these material comforts.

Fall, for farmers, is the end of an era. It is a time of hard work as is every season, but it’s also a time of reflection, of examining what worked and what did not. It’s a time of tweaking systems. A time of extending harvest, milking the earth for just a few more weeks of production. More than all of this however, it’s a time of loss. Of saying goodbye. [Read more…]