In the southeast of the United States we are still sweating. The sun still streams down on us as we harvest the last of the dwindling tomatoes from the garden. We keep an eye on each wave in the Atlantic for tropical development into a hurricane.

But the air is different. For several weeks – maybe the whole month of August – there’s been a subtle difference in the weight, feel, and smell of the air.

Fall is for connoisseurs of subtlety. Similar changes happen in reverse with the arrival of spring, but fall is like a fine wine, with gentle undertones and aftertastes. If you are more of a red or white wine drinker, spring is probably best appreciated by your senses.

Give me fall!

Dogwood trees are still green but with a gentle blush creeping into their leaves. Flower petals silently float off their perches after a puff of breeze or slight touch; while hummingbirds stay at their feeders longer, grazing on every garden bloom for that last sip of nectar in preparation for their long flights south. Glorious butterflies dancing from flower-to-flower – each one adding its own color show.

Granted, the joy of gradually turning in to the home and hearth will look and feel different this year. We have spent most of 2020 already gathered in. We long to take flight.

The seasons and the school calendar say otherwise.

There’s abundant time to enjoy fall activities outdoors. I am looking forward to a socially distanced lawn concert at a friend’s house this coming weekend. Cooler temps – when they arrive – will mean I can safely have friends over for dining alfresco, playing lawn darts, or corn hole. Maybe, I’ll finally get a gas fire pit so we can extend outdoor social distancing into cooler weather.

I’ve already added pumpkin spice to my oatmeal/steel-cut oats/buckwheat/hemp/collagen morning cereal. That recipe I shared earlier this year is now new and improved, so here it is:

Super-Powered Oatmeal 3.0

Serves 2-3 (So hearty, you don’t need as much!)

Ingredients

1/3 cup gluten-free oatmeal

1/3 cup gluten-free steel cut oats

1/3 cup gluten-free buckwheat

¼ cup hempseed hearts

3 Tbs collagen hydrolysates

Pinch of salt

Cinnamon /OR/ Pumpkin Pie Spice

Vanilla

1 ½ – 2 cups almond milk or water

Method

Throw it all in a small pan; cook on medium until bubbly; reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally.

Purists may want to add the vanilla at the end.

Variations on milk depend upon how creamy you want your cereal, and on how much steel cut oats you use – geez, who really measures this stuff? I put all the oats and buckwheat into a one cup measure and eyeball equality.

If you have not whipped that sweet tooth into shape, a modicum, (small quantity), of brown sugar may be added to the pot – really, with all the vanilla and cinnamon, that’s it.

Find a small, cute bowl to add to the experience. You just don’t need a huge serving.  Top with a bit of fresh fruit, if desired. I used mango in mine.

Enjoy the process of these shifting seasons. Lean more into the changes and the subtleties therein rather than mourn the loss of an ‘endless summer’ mirage.

In health,

Deidre

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