#108: Autumn Equinox

Harvest and To Do Lists

Sep 22, 2022

It’s been a near perfect summer. Late summer and early fall in the PNW is one of my favorite times of the year when I can feel the change of season in the air. Right now we are having robin’s egg blue skies, gentle breezes, seventy degree days, and night-time temps just about to break into the 40s. I’ll remember this in the months to come when I’m wearing multiple layers, gloves and wool hat to bring in wood for the fire or go for a walk.

This summer seems more like one from my first twenty-five years in Santa Barbara when the marine layer burned off in the late afternoon and ocean breezes kept us cool all year long. An 80°F (26°C) day back then was a real scorcher but not so any longer as evidenced by this photo on a 113°F (45°C) day that friends who live there sent me.

Our long cold wet spring gave a low pollination rate for my apple trees, although it could be an off year due to last year’s exceptionally heavy crop. Still we don’t have nearly enough for our yearly cider pressing. The tomato set was paltry as well resulting in just a few bowlfuls instead of the multiple wheelbarrows I usually harvest for canning, drying, and sharing. I wonder, is it time for a greenhouse?

A small portion of a normal tomato harvest in seasons past.

Today is the autumn equinox and no shawl is needed when I sit on the deck in the early morning with a mug of tea and book. I noticed a spider wanting to take up residence inside as the days get shorter. I picked her up and took her outside where she has made a beautiful web on an east facing window. On a dewy morning I’ll try and get a picture for you. Just as I look forward to summer’s billowing-curtain open-window days, I love wood-stove days, simmering soup, and long quiet winter nights.

The Pacific Coast is forecast to have an unprecedented third straight La Niña year.1 Last winter there was a multi-week period of ice on the ground and, as I have neither All-Wheel nor 4WD, there was little to no driving for me. I borrowed Olivia’s Yaktrax so I could take walks without slipping on the ice. This year I have my own pair.

LISTS

I like to make lists. Here are some current ones.

To Do

Outside Fall

Cut lavender and put in hen house
Amend soil with worm castings and compost
Plant garlic
Plant tulip bulbs
Get bails of straw and place over veggie garden
Winterize outdoor faucets
Ice melt for deck

October

Source local apples
October 9: Apple Pie class
Personal Trip

November

Nov 13: Orange Cranberry Pie class
Plan Classes for 2023: What shall I offer for next year’s once a month series? Savory Pies? Sweet Pies? Cookies? Let’s Make Dinner? Or Breakfast?
Schedule and post dates of 2023 Virtual and In-Person Classes

December

Dec 11: Tarte Tatin class
Rest. Read. Write.

Photo by Andrew Scrivani from Home Cooking with Kate McDermott

What I’m Reading

Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen
A big thank you to my brother Charles for this recommendation.
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson
I was not sure if I would like this book. In the first chapter I had tears in my eyes. I plan on checking out her first book,The Light Between Us.
The Enchanted Life: Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday by Sharon Blackie
It’s not often when finishing a book that I turn right around to read it again and that is exactly what I am doing with this one.

What I’m Listening To

Walking Home by Tina Malia (lyrics below)

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth, I listened to this song by Tina Malia. I like to think that Prince Philip is welcoming her with them as she walks home.

Walking Home
by Tina Malia

Paint your silver arrow
with the sky glow
and when it comes
to pierce your heart
let it overflow

You can lay your head on me
I am strong like the willow tree
tall enough to reach the stars
and wide as the open sea

So come out my bright one
we are walking home
hand in hand like kings and queens
we are walking home
we are walking home

Lilies and Iris
white and blue
try to steal my eyes away
but I would not miss a moment of you