September

Did you squeeze out the last bit of summer? I did!

 Some people find it hard to swing into a new season... But I am ready...

 I am ready for change... I got married in the fall 2004... that was a change...

I am ready to drink apple cider... and hear the acorns crunch under my feet, when I take my son hiking...

 I hung up my Cinnamon broom... it tells me Autumn is just around the corner.. but it's time...

Time for kids to go back to school.. My son has always gone to school with me ...until this year...

The word kindergarten comes from the German language and means "a garden of children" As you look over any garden you see a variety of flowers in different stages of blooming... My son is one of those flowers... He is just getting ready to bloom...All the children he will meet may not be all ready to bloom just yet.. they may need coaxing... but all of his classmates will be important... to make the garden rich and diverse... So he's off to bloom..

 This year it won't be me... buying new school supplies... and getting ready for my new classroom... I am on a new adventure...

 I look forward to my new endeavor... 
School supplies or not..

 The air seems sweet and spicy.. and cobblers and pie recipes... dance in my head... and my new freedom... has me giddy..

 I look forward to  eating...caramel apples and creating
Hearty harvest dinners  and brilliant cocktails, small delectable nibbles that match the landscape.. here in NEW YORK

comfort food...
Pot pies..

To usher in the almost change of seasons.. 
 We had Sweet Autumn Chicken for dinner...
butternut squash, golden delicious apples... and chicken... baked in apple cider...(recipe is easy)

I made a Spiced Walnut Cake with maple cream last night to welcome the new season....( recipe post Friday)

 Get your doors ready...

 above photos seen at Trish's pinklillylover..blog and had to use....

Golden leaves of Autumn now are falling crisp beds upon the forests dampened floor...

Time to get out your blankets and scarves...

I love fall not just for the fall flavors or the smells..  but for the beauty and color  in it...
Winter is an etching

Spring a watercolor

Summer is an oil painting-

Autumn is a mosaic of them all.

Stanley Horowitz

So after he get's on that bus... and I have a good cry.. I will ...take a long hot shower... and think about what lies ahead for us... fall.
 And at noon... I think I will pour myself a drink.. 

Maybe a Smore coctail...
2 12 oz cans evaporated milk, carnation
4 28 grams envelopes milk chocolate hot chocolate mix
1/2 cup of vanilla vodka
8 large marshmallows...
4 Hershey chocolate shavings.. 
1. In a 8 cup microwave safe glass measuring cup... pour evaporated milk, microwave... on high for 3 to 4 minutes...
2. whisk in chocolate mix until smooth. stir in vodka... pour into mugs.. and enjoy with another mother... who is home alone for the first time in ages...

 So sit and relax... in some freedom.. if you are a mom.. alone for the first time..if only for a few hours.. and dream..  shop...or do what you please...

 "when the bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves, welcome wool sweaters" -B.Cybill

 until 3:00 that is...