A mighty wind rapped on my window in the earliest hours of this morning, screeching one moment and slamming its weight against the glass the next. It wasn't frightening in the slightest though - in fact, it had quite the opposite effect of terror, it brought instant joy my way, because it reminded that Halloween - my most favourite holiday of the year - is just around the corner.
Spooky sounds, gales that send chills up your spine, decaying leaves, freshly picked pumpkins, chilly nights, costumed hobgoblins, and sweat treats aplenty are all the name of the game, as we count down the last couple of weeks until October 31st comes knocking on our doors - candy pail outstretched - once more.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I utterly love this time of the year. Mother Nature hasn't reverted entirely to pale neutrals yet, the sun's amber light continues to hold onto an ounce of warmth, the world smells of cinnamon, chimney smoke, and tweed, and most people are in the mood to celebrate the harvest season and all the wonderful things that the second half of October houses.
{Jack-o-lantern carving, leaves the shade of ripe Bartlett pears, and cozy cold weather clothes - this wonderful early 1960s image abounds with so much of what I adore about the second half of October! Image source.}
Without a doubt, one of the best elements of this month - from start to finish - is the abundance of delicious food it entails. Here in the vast wilds of Canada, we enjoyed our Canadian Thanksgiving on Tuesday (many of us still have turkey and cranberry sauce in the fridge as I speak), whereas those in America will celebrate this important fall date in the third week of November. For those in both countries - and many other places around the world as well - this month has ushered in the return of comfort food, hearty meals, gorgeously fragrant desserts, and perhaps even the first batch or two of Halloween baked goodies.
Given that All Hallows Eve takes place in just two Thursdays from now, and many of us are planning parties, family events, school treats to send youngsters off to class with, and meals for the big night itself, today seems like the perfect time to share a 1950s cookbook page featuring three truly classic autumn recipes: Hot Mulled (Apple) Cider, Gingersnaps, and Caramel Apples.
{Originally appearing in the Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Cookbook from 1959, this trio of spiced, sweet, completely appealing fall recipes are as timeless as pumpkins, scarecrows and harvest moons themselves. Image source.}
These recipes are so delicious, satisfying and classic, I really wouldn’t (save for creating versions that were gluten and egg-free, so that I could partake of them safely myself, too) change them at all. Holidays often mean time-honored foods teaming with the kinds of flavours we grew up with in our early years, and all three of these taste bud pleasing recipes pull forth the best kind of culinary nostalgia for me precisely as they appear here.
You could whip any (or all) of these up for a post-pumpkin patch shindig, a Halloween party, Thanksgiving (next month), or simply a quiet Sunday afternoon spent looking out your window at the beautiful resplendent, vivid palette of autumn’s foliage. They're timeless and fun, satisfying and appealing to those of all ages - much like autumn itself.
