There is no getting around it.  As I look at the calendar, I can see Labor Day weekend dead ahead.

For most, it’s  another opportunity for a long holiday weekend filled with summer-like activities.  Another romp in the surf, another bar-b-que, another road trip to a family cottage or a favorite destination.  To me, at this moment it’s like a splash of cold water in the face of summer.  There was a time in my life when the approach of autumn was the most exciting time of the year.  My four boys and I would be giddy about the approaching deer season.  That time of year when you head for the woods to start cutting shooting lanes and dropping some corn or a few sugar beets here and there.  I still love the thought of it all, but some things have changed.  Jeff, Christopher and Nick all have families, busy lives and work responsibilities that can be extremely demanding.  It’s not like the old days when I could just pull them from school for a week.  That, and the fact that young Jordan is no longer with us.
He was the life of the hunting party!  I am certainly not saying that we will never be hunting together again, but as I age, I try to hang on to sunshine and warmth with white knuckles.

Please don’t misunderstand.  I love our change of seasons and pity the regions that don’t experience it.  I love the sights and smells of fall. There is the perfume mother nature provides that is intoxicating. That “peat” smell that you only get when fallen leaves begin to decay.
Combine that with a wisp of wood smoke in the air and the aroma is sweeter than that of a rose.  When the foliage begins to turn red, yellow and rust….It can be so beautiful that it is indescribable, and you don’t ever want to lose that moment in time.  It nearly hurts your eyes.
Breezes feel cooler and get stronger.  Animals are scurrying about to prepare for what they know is coming.  There is wood to split, canning jars to put up and heavier clothing to locate and prepare for regular use.  

This is also the time of year when our menus begin to evolve.  I believe that this change is woven into our DNA.  Soon, the hamburgers, hot dogs and smores will not be standard fare.  They will be replaced by stews, casseroles, and cobblers. More “stick to your ribs” indoor comfort food.  Sure, some of us die-hards grill all year but many days it is just not practical or comfortable for that matter.  Standing in a 50 mph wind with rain, sleet, and snow with a pair of tongs is NOT my idea of a good time.  As the seasons change, so will my offerings on this website.  I have already been experimenting with my families favorites and will offer them regularly here as we wait patiently for the inevitable return of spring and summer.  Enough of that for now.  It’s Labor Day Weekend.  It’s beautiful outside.  We have plenty of time to adjust to “The Change”.  Now, get out there and have some fun!  I’ll be here when you get back.

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