Autumn Reflections

Ok, I have to admit  -  I believe that Autumn is the best time of year.  I absolutely love it!  I don't know if it is because I can't stand the heat of summer and the coolness of the air just brings new energy to me, or what, but I love it!  Right now, I have my doors and windows open and the fresh air just permeates my home.  The little ones are snuggled under their covers still sleeping and our home is quiet.  I'm sipping on some Apple Spice Coffee (I just ground up some apple pie spice with my coffee beans and voila!) waiting on my bread to rise!  A day of homeschool, concert at the library, settling disputes between Ben and Grace, teaching a class tonight at church all await me, but for this moment - peace and stillness.  What a wonderful gift from my Creator!

One of the most wonderful things about fall are the smells - cinnamon, pumpkin, all spice, nutmeg, cloves, leaves burning, fires in the fireplace...then we have the foods - apples (pie, butter, fried, pancakes, etc), apple cider, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes...yum!  Then the pinnacle of meals - Thanksgiving Day!  Time with family and friends.  What is not to love about Autumn??!!!!

I have recently started exploring do it myself flavored coffees.  I ground up my coffee, put it in the filter, then added sliced (very thinly) bananas with a little cocoa and a tad bit, and I do mean a tad bit of baking soda.  It is fantastic!  The baking soda takes away the bitterness of the cocoa.  Then I added frozen peaches yesterday.  It didn't give me the peachy taste I was hoping for.  I'm going to mash them up next time and see if that isn't better.  Today, it's Apple Spice.  Tomorrow, I'm going to add Pumpkin Spice.  It's fun to explore!