Caught in the background of yesterday’s photo of bread: my nascent collection of seeds collected and dried from the fruit harvested thus far, including varieties of melon, squash, and pepper.
Bread /
My first pumpkin harvest served as a centerpiece on my dining room table for over a month. Now it’s met its fate in fresh-baked bread.
Baking /
It’s cold outside and chillier indoors than it’s been since March. The days are alternately blue and blustery, cloudy and gray. I’m all about blankets and slippers right now, trying to avoid cranking up the thermostat. It’s time to get baking.
Balloonrise /
Rising along with the sun each day this week: hot air balloons! Hundreds of balloonists have congregated in town for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and it’s quite a sight to behold when they ascend en masse. This is my third year living here and the annual clouds of balloons have come to signify autumn to me as much as green leaves turning gold.
Sunrise /
Despite the cold snap, I must say that I love fall. As the sun rises later and later each morning, I get to see more and more of its beauty as I’m up and about.
Chills /
Wow, the high desert really doesn’t mess around when it comes to changing seasons. The atmosphere is thin and there aren’t any bodies of water to absorb and retain heat over time, so once the sun fades the temperature plummets. Last week we were still seeing temperatures in the high eighties and running the AC a bit each afternoon. Now the forecast shows highs in the sixties from here on out—a drop of twenty degrees practically overnight. There was a brief moment, just a few days as September became October, where we had all the windows open from dawn till dusk to let fresh warm air sweep through the house. Time to shut them again, layer up with a sweater, and turn on the heat at night.
Tassels /
Corn! Finally, corn! I’d begun to wonder whether my stalks would produce ears this season. The plants are as tall as I am and their leaves are full and broad, but frankly they haven’t changed much in the last month or two. These new magenta tassels are the first sign of fruits on the way—three ears’ worth, thus far.
Ripe /
I have never had a store-bought tomato as thoroughly, deeply red as the ones I’ve harvested from my own garden. And they taste as vibrant as they look.
Repeat /
This morning brought yet another plump, vibrant harvest from the home garden! Autumn is going very well around here.
Eat /
Breakfast, the day after picking and peeling our own chile. Mmm.
