The first day of Fall is this Sunday, September 22 and this season has certainly garnered a reputation for being one of the most favored of the four. The air becomes cool and crisp as Mother Nature dons her most colorful robe of the year, sending everyone to the parks and mountains to marvel at her exquisite palette of red, gold, orange, and crimson fall leaves. So grab your most favorite, well-worn sweater as we all get ready to say, “Welcome, Autumn!”
The Autumnal Equinox–A Time of Balance
Fall is considered the season of balance. The autumnal equinox, which is the first day of fall, is the day when both the daytime and nighttime are the same length, which has long been interpreted to mean that the world is in balance, making it the perfect time during which you can restore balance to your own life as well. From the raking to the baking, you can take your pick on any number of ways to rejuvenate within, as well as without.
A Harvest of Fun
Fall is also a time that ushers in the harvest and preserves food for the long winter months ahead, and to celebrate this goodness from the land, Harvest Festivals abound all season. Traditionally, Harvest festivals are held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon which is the full Moon occurring closest to the autumnal equinox. Stroll through pumpkin patches, wind through corn mazes, enjoy hayrides, bob for apples, and sip warm apple cider under crisp autumn skies. Nearly every town in America sets this time apart to honor the farm workers who fill our holiday season’s kitchens and tables.
A Bounty of Goodness
Cooler autumn weather brings on hearty appetites and this season serves up good things at every turn. Try these favorite fall recipes to keep you cozy as the fall leaves blow…
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Savory Fall Stew
- Sweet Potato-Black Bean Turkey Chili
- Caramel Apples
- Apple Crisp
- Spiked Fall Cider
For Keats, fall was the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” and as the days grow cooler and the trees become ablaze with color, we hope you’ll savor the richness and splendor that this harvest time offers to us all.
