friday five: fall word association

At RevGals Singing owl writes: Hello everyone! The Canada geese are excited, forming up and practicing, encouraging each other with honking, the Wisconsin fall color is at peak where I am ...  I know, fall is one way on this side of the world and different in other places, but please bear with me as I post words that say FALL--at least where I am.

Give us the the first word that comes to mind (you know how that works, right?) and then add a little something about why, or how or what.
1. Pumpkins patches. I grew up in Connecticut, where pumpkin patches were often clustered at Cider Mills. It was a one-stop shopping event. If memory serves we'd choose a large pumpkin for the family to carve, and I always begged to have a smaller one. You know, they were so cute!

2. Campfire S'mores! Several years ago the parish I was serving as interim had a fall hayride, followed by a cookout over the fire. Hot dogs, of course, followed by s'mores! It was great fun, and I regret that I was only there for one autumn to enjoy that tradition.

3. Apples Cider Mills (see above). And apple pie. My Mom and my Other Mother were a great pie team. Anna made the crust, Mom made the filling. I watched and waited for the results.

4. Color Fall in New England. It's been six years since I've been there in the fall, but it was a glorious one. There really is no better color anywhere. 

5. Halloween Making costumes. I think one of the most fun years was when a friend and my younger brother and I were "the Spirit of '76."  We weren't entirely accurate with our costumes: no drums or piccolo, and at least one of us carried an unloaded bb-gun. It was one of our more imaginative efforts, though

friday five: falling

Singing Owl at RevGals writes: The Autumnal Equinox has just come 'round again. I took a look back at our Friday Fives and noted that it always seems to make the Rev Gals and their Pals think of changes.

There is something so nostalgic about this time of year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. The nights grow cooler, crops are harvested, for some of us the leaves are beginning to change colors. The scent of smoke is in the air, pumpkins are in the stores (or on wagons, or in roadside stands for those of us in the country). I'm thinking of putting away my summer clothes and pulling out the sweaters. And I have a tub of Fall-themed items that my husband just lugged up from the basement. I'm looking for my scarecrow.

For this week, let's share some memories along with some hopes and expectations.

1. Share a Fall memory.
Just one? I grew up in New England, THE place to be in the fall (if you ask me, which you sort of did, sort of)! I remember fall craft fairs, color, crisp air, brilliant blue skies, soccer games and hot chocolate in thermoses, color, cider mills and pumpkin patches, playing in leaves, and did I mention color? There isn't any one memory that stands out because there are so many good ones. Well, except last November's election. THAT is a standout!

2. Your favorite Fall clothes--(past or present)?
Sweaters! Doesn't matter which one. I like cold weather (a freak of nature, that's me), and when it's cold enough for a sweater I'm happy with the weather.

3. Share a campfire story, song, experience...etc.
One fall, pre-seminary, our parish had a "take a walk" day, where families gathered to walk the trails of a favorite local spot. We were a small parish, and two dads with their daughters, and two single adult women with dogs (guess who was one of them) turned out. It was a fabulous day of sharing children, laughter, enjoying the weather and the world around us as we walked. Some of my favorite photographs, still in frames, are from that day.

4. What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
Moving away from summer temperatures tops the list, but I love lots of things about fall: the colors, the air, activities starting up, holidays and the anticipation thereof...

5. What changes are you anticipating in your life, your church, family...whatever...as the season changes and winter approaches?
My step-daughter is due to deliver her second child in a few weeks. They live miles away, but the real distance is in the relationship between father and daughter. There's too much to say about the implications of that for all of us, but I'll try to distill it to this: in order for this family to enjoy better health, something's gotta give. I'm working on my part and encouraging and supporting others to do theirs.

Bonus: What food says "AUTUMN" at your house? Recipes always appreciated.
I suspect I won't be alone here in saying chili, or soups. My favorite soup is corn chowder. I use the recipe from The Joy of Cooking, but I use chopped bacon to generate flavor (I don't want to say fat), and add chopped chicken and a tablespoon of curry. Fabulous!