Autumn and an Indian Summer

Welcome to Fall.  You know what that means, don't you?   Bright orange pumpkins, tart apples,  juicy pears, hand knit scarves, last years mittens, and the overhead leaves turning earthy shades of brown and releasing themselves from the branches of darkening trees.  Oh!  And also....

An abundance of home-grown tomatoes.  Wait a minute, what?  

Exactly.  Looks like our patience in the garden is paying off. We're finally getting our summer tomato crop and they're coming forth like soldiers in great numbers.  Rising up in so many sizes, shapes, varying colors, textures and delightful flavors.  Let the harvest reign, I say.  Most likely it'll be over in no time, anyways.  A short run it may be, but a run nonetheless. 

I'm definitely feeling some confusion amongst Portlanders these days.  Following the chilly torrential rains of yester-week, we've had sunny, cloud-free skies, with highs in the 80's.  If this isn't an Indian Summer, I don't know what is.  In my logical mind I know it's Autumn, but my heart calls out to Summer like it's a long lost lover.  All the good times we spent together, sometimes I want to play it on repeat like "Groundhog's Day."   But if I ignore the beauty and wonder of Fall, I'll miss her completely.  It has a way of flying by in the blink of an eye.  

So naturally, in homage to the season I cherish most, we trucked out to Draper Girl's Farm again, in breathtaking Hood River County on the Columbia River Gorge.  OREGON!  Oui.  Je t'aime.

That's Mount Hood in the background.  Such a view.  

I guess it's a bit early in the season.  We were only allowed to pluck from two different varieties.  We chose the Gala.  I mean, just look at them!

It's near impossible to resist their cherry sun-kissed skin.  

So dreamy.

The biggest and juiciest fruits are at the tippy top.

We winded up with a towering bucket of apples and had to carry some in our arms, they were spilling out uncontrollably.  They're quite roley poley.

Since I'm short on time these days, I decided to make something super easy with my apple allotment.  I'm also trying not to eat a whole pie all by myself.   I have very little self control.  Just so you know.  

This applesauce is the bomb.  I don't use that word lightly.  I have no recipe to share with you because I  winged it, and you should wing it too.  It's all made up to your own taste, you know.  Some key ingredients include: lemon juice, lemon peel, cinnamon, water, and apples.  I also included a tiny portion of brown sugar, freshly grated ginger (a must), nutmeg and cardamom.  I'm kind of cardamom obsessed these days.  Mmmm.  I peeled and chopped the apples and cooked the sauce in a large pot for about an hour on medium heat.  I cooled in overnight and canned it the next day.  It's tart and sweet with a little kick in the pants from the ginger.  I can't wait to pop open a jar this winter and think fondly of the Draper Girls and their beautiful farm.  

Ok lads, I'm keeping the blog post short today.  I have a long list of items to complete by the end of this evening. I'll try to report back more often.  Je promis.  xo  

Tweet