And So It Begins...

 Fall, my old and favorite friend, we meet again. The air is crisper, the apples have more bite, the wines taste richer and sweaters transport me to a place of safety and warmth. It's as if nature herself is celebrating her own finale as the foliage breaks forth in a mosaic of olive greens, burgundies and mustard yellows. 

My mind is reeling with a million ideas for things to cook, eat and drink. Roasted butternut squash, pumpkin cranberry bread, root vegetable stews and rustic apple pies are all begging to be made. I can't wait for a free day to cruise the farmers market for a bit of inspiration and some fresh apple cider. 

Deep down...or maybe more close to the surface, I am a bit of a home body. Thankfully, fall offers me the privilege to indulge myself by staying in. I happily gather my loved ones, light my fireplace and cook all that autumn has to offer until I fall asleep with a good book in my lap and a warm meal in my belly. I cannot think of a more perfect scene than this. 

(I genuinely hope you share my sentiments, dear reader. After all,  fall is the time for comfort, and who among us does not need to be comforted?)

Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have a bit of baking to do. You see, I have a friend who could use a bit of banana bread, another who is craving pumpkin bread and I need some apple tart to go with my coffee.

Happy fall my darlings. 

Our Daily Bread

One of the best things in the world is the smell of fresh baked bread. It's a wonderful thing to come home to the warm bouquet of garlic, yeast and thyme. For around one hundred dollars (I've seen them as low as fifty), you can buy a bread-maker that gives you this exact thing with little to no effort. I can start a loaf in about five minutes and in three and a half hours, I have a warm, yeasty, delicious loaf that simply cannot compare to store bought bread. In this day and age, we queens must be steadfast in our domestic arts but I understand the day and age in which we live and the need to find a few shortcuts. Trust me, this lovely machine is worth every penny. For the price of an artisanal loaf bought at the local grocery store, you can buy enough ingredients for about four, very large loaves. It is not only a money saver, but a comfort inducer as well. Instead of scenting your home with gadgets that spray chemicals about, you can now scent your home with the delightful aroma whatever you choose to create. Warm yeast breads, cinnamon-raisin breads, banana bread, or even a savory cheddar-jalepeno loaf are all available for just five minutes of effort and a few pennies worth of ingredients. There are even a ton of gluten free flours, recipes and mixes for those that are gluten intolerant. The sky is truly the limit.

Happy baking my darlings.