I have to admit, I was not accepting the impending change of seasons gracefully. I have been lamenting the lack of hot weather that usually starts in August and barrels right through September in my neck of the woods. This year never really got hot, and I even harvested a few mealy tomatoes to prove it (they have gratefully improved). I spent Saturday cursing the weather report and swimming in the way too cold unheated pool at my Grandma's house, determined to have a summer at all costs. But then, my mom gave me these:
And lots more not pictured. Her apple tree (we're pretty sure it's Gravenstien) has more ripe apples than you can shake an autumnal stick at. Incredibly sweet, delicious apples just begging to become ...
... applesauce. I used the recipe for Homemade Applesauce from Feeding the Whole Family. I quadrupled the recipe, left the apple skins on, and added a heavy dose of cinnamon. So easy, and so good. The warm sauce reminded me of ...
... pie. Classic, American, no denying fall, apple pie. I used the dough recipe from Rustic Fruit Desserts, a tie with the pate brisee from Tartine, and filled it to the brim with very thinly sliced apples, lemon juice, flour, brown sugar (not too much), and cinnamon. As my home filled with the perfume of cooked apples and cinnamon, something within me changed. I warmed myself beside the oven, inhaled, and let go. Let go of what my summer "should have been" and embraced all the excitement that the chill in the air promises. Fall, after all, is my favorite season.
Here's to the sweet side of change.
P.S. - I realize that I am a total whiny Californian. Lack of summer heat is clearly small potatoes when compared to any real weather event, like for example, a hurricane. My apologies, I hope you find this post funny, not rude.