Snappy Service Cafe'

Today is fall. Yeah, I know that autumn really happened last week – but, today it feels like fall. Leaves are blowing about, football is on the TV and I broke out the pumpkin tablecloth! Yep, fall.

This is my very favorite season. Spring is lovely with all its potential and Summer is incredible with sun, warmth and brightness. Even the barenness of winter has its appeal, but fall is something special. There’s a maturity about this time of year, an acceptance of what it is and what has to be done. These few weeks before winter are redolent with the memories of summer and optimistic of the winter’s rest.

Fall does not resign itself to its fate, rather, embraces it. There is no sadness or moping about – what we see is glorious, full-throttle, strut-your-stuff beauty. “Showing off” one last time; flying right in the face of the cold. The leaves are beautiful – the golds, reds and yellows. The bounty of harvest; at no other time of year do we have so many choices. The food is comforting and the house smells warm and yummy. I love cooking in the fall, like no other time of the year. I anticipate and look forward to the new, seasonal menus and dishes I can prepare. Ravioli, gnocchi and polenta … all foods to be prepared for the people I love. Bread baking in the oven, putting up peaches and making apple cider. I think that rare is the cook that makes these things without preparing them for SOMEONE – even if that person resides in our memory.

Fall does that, you know…brings up memories of those we love and have loved. My gramma making her very brandy-soaked fruit cake, my children who are so happy when we make Italian food, my husband who can bear witness to my journey of culinary discovery. This is the time of year that cooking turns from something that we squeezed into busy summer days, into something that is woven directly into my devotion to my family. Hello, fall – I’ve so missed you!!!