Traditions

The cool snap we are currently enjoying in Florida has been a very welcome change after seven months of relentless heat and humidity. The windows and doors are wide open; the cat sits in the doorway and watches as birds fly to the feeder with increasing frequency.

My thoughts turn to my "fall-winter" menu. I am a seasonal cook, I enjoy creating heartier foods in the cooler months. I had a tradition for many years of cooking a pork roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, homemade biscuits and an apple pie for dessert to celebrate the first taste of cooler weather. I would invite my parents over and we would sit around the table enjoying the food and the antics of the kids.

Another fall tradition is buying apple cider. When I was a child we often took a long drive to the country. Sometimes we would drive to the mountains of western Maryland to look at the fall leaves, and we always bought a big jug of cider.

Western North Carolina

Years later I was home from college at Thanksgiving and my Mom had the cider simmering on the stove, infused with spices like cinnamon. It was delicious, warming, and reminded me of those crisp autumn days up North.

I carried on that tradition with my own kids, along with hearty meals, and hot chocolate in front of the fireplace while we watched all of our favorite holiday movies and specials.

This morning I had a message from my son attending college in Cincinnati. He told me that he had warm cider last night, because it was cold and rainy~ perfect for a wet, cold autumn night.

The tradition continues...