Why I fell for Fall...

Fall is my favorite time of year. Every year I break apart a little in the beginning (loose a few leaves so to speak) and then I re-group and re-energize feeling more creative and aware. I always think of it as the start of a new year...even more so than January 1 (when there's too much pressure to perform)! Besides the obvious (kids are gone -yay!), fall is truly a full-on sensory experience: the air gradually cools to brisk, colors are sharper, more rich; the haze of summer gone. Scents are everywhere - back-to-school new shoe smell, ripened apples, Sunday afternoon fires, rain and of course, baking. Mostly I love that food becomes more complex after a summer of simple fare, there are layers of taste in autumn foods that comfort your soul and palate. It's time for molasses cookies...