In which the deadly sins just have to wait another day

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Reader Karen made a timely request. Since today is the first day of fall, she wanted me to discuss autumnal pleasures. (And since it's one of my favorite days of the year, I am happy to comply.) So I give you a list of fall joys, all run together just for fun:

fallingleaves/crispapples/cinnamonwaftingthroughtheair/woodfirescracklinginthefirepit/sandalwoodcandles/cornhuskwreaths/chilisandsoupsandstewsinthepot/freshlybakedbread/teastastingofsmoke/handknittedsocks/thecaressofasweater/freshlysharpenedpencils/thefirstcupofcocoa/sconesscentedwithspice/roastedsquash/briskmorningsandeveningsbluewiththecold/patternedtightswornwithhigh-heeledMaryJanes/wellingtons/Russianamber/ghoststoriestochilltheblood/Halloween/puppiesrompingthroughpilesofleaves/pumpkins/WashingtonIrving/hotbutteredtoast/introspection/poetry/foreignfilms/airthatnips/Yankeepotroast/naps/collegefootball/juicypears/muskyperfumes/repose.

What are your autumn pleasures? Share this

Comments

Pumpkin bread, scarves,

Submitted by theeclecticconnoisseur (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:58am.

Pumpkin bread, scarves, wassail simmering on the stove, cool autumn breezes coming in through the screen door...and of course everything you listed.

Pulling out the enameled

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:51am.

Pulling out the enameled cast-iron and making stews and soups that require long stretches of braising, making the whole apartment smell of whatever I'm cooking. Apple crisp. Morning walks before the sun comes up snuggled into a hooded sweatshirt. Scuffling through piles of leaves like a six-year-old. Driving the Great River Road to see the colors on the bluffs. Noreen

Fall means planting tomatoes

Submitted by RANGER (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 9:25pm.

Fall means planting tomatoes and the end of hurricane season - Semi-tropics, here. Flannel pajamas under Halloween costumes - slippers some mornings, barefoot others - breath of chill that first afternoon - welcoming the weakened sun instead of hiding from it.

Definitely agree with Karen.

Submitted by Victorian Poet (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 6:26pm.

Definitely agree with Karen. It painted all the wonderful smells, sights, etc. of Autumn. This is one of my favorite seasons of all, mainly because of the beautiful leaves that change different colors, also, it starts to get cooler, my favorite type of weather! Except, it's still in the 80s...unnatural for Oregon weather.

ince I live in South Florida,

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 5:17pm.

ince I live in South Florida, I have to experience fall vicariously through posts and comments like these for at least another two months. Right now, I would KILL for a night when the temperature gets down into the 60's, and I don't drip in the humidity :-)

Thanks, Deanna. I knew you'd

Submitted by Karen Kish (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 4:54pm.

Thanks, Deanna. I knew you'd come through. What an amazing word portrait you and the other commentators painted. Everyone hit all the wonderful sights and sounds and smells that make autumn so wonderful. It really is a magical time of year.

Finally being able to take

Submitted by Charisse (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 10:44am.

Finally being able to take out the coats I bought :D and hot chocolate!!

Hmm. I think you've all

Submitted by Jennifer Spiller (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 8:25am.

Hmm. I think you've all covered it, but I'll reiterate:fire dancing in the hearth, candles scattered all around, collies leaping, tossing sticks, kids rolling in the leaves, tights and boots (oh yes!), sweaters and jeans and good hair, orange and red and yellow bursting everywhere,pumpkin risotto and wine and talking in the dark,chili and beer and football in the afternoon,Kids back in school and blessed silent days...

naps outside wrapped in a

Submitted by Cece (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 7:29am.

naps outside wrapped in a blanketcashmere sweatersstews and creamy soupsbright blue sky seen through the golden leaves of the sugar maplesleeping under a blanket with the window open a bitfrost art on the windowsa sun-warmed car seat after being out in the coldwoodsmoke on the airthe architecture of tree branches against a twilight skyThe coziness of early dark outside, light and warmth insideB&B; by the fire with friends

It's all about the food,

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 7:02am.

It's all about the food, Deanna. This time of year makes me want to drink loads of tea such as PG Tips. I also get in the mood to bake scrumptious breads and muffins. And of course, curling up in my favorite chair with a Deanna Raybourn book! Doesn't that sound lovely?Nina