“After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth … The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her … In October, any wonderful unexpected thing might be possible.”
— Elizabeth George Speare
Yes, fall is here with all of its glorious colors. October mornings are crisp, the grass is covered with morning dew that sparkles in the sunlight like diamonds and the sky is brilliant blue. Orange pumpkins and mums in shades of rust, yellow and purple are the decor of the season.
I love everything about fall! Steamy mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and hot mulled cider are meant to be enjoyed by a crackling bonfire on a cool, October evening.
I also enjoy all of the fun fall activities – visiting a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch, walking through a corn maze, taking a hayride on a haunted trail, trick-or-treating with the grandkids and passing out candy on Halloween night to little ones dressed as a princess, a witch, horror movie characters and Spider Man. With the popularity of this year’s “Barbie” movie, I’m sure there will be many little dolls dressed in pink ringing the doorbell for a treat!
Every year, my family takes a jaunt to a nearby apple orchard for freshly-pressed apple cider and sugary cinnamon doughnuts. Of course, we always pick a couple bushels of apples – Honeycrisp for eating and a variety of others for the making of our favorite fall dessert: apple crisp still warm from the oven topped with vanilla ice cream.
Halloween fun isn’t just for kids! I had the pleasure of chatting with Brenda Hasse about Witches Night Out, an adult-friendly Fenton event she co-chairs with Karen Piacentini, owner of Fenton’s Open Book. On Friday, October 13 (very spooky), from 4-9pm, hundreds of participants dressed as good witches, bad witches and more will stroll around Downtown Fenton for a night of shopping and visiting one of the many great restaurants. Local merchants will offer special prizes and treats – come on out and join in on the fun!
For me, fall is the time to cover up the BBQ grill and start making some of my favorite cool weather meals – chili, chicken pot pie or a pot roast simmering in the slow cooker. It’s always nice to smell the aroma of a bubbling pot of soup on the stove; vegetable beef is one of my favorites.
Another great thing about fall is football, and the Detroit Lions are looking good this year! Born and raised in Maryland, I can’t wait to watch the Lions play the Baltimore Ravens, my brother’s favorite team, on October 22. But I have to say I will be rooting for Detroit. Go Lions!
