AUTUMN TREATS
October 20, 2024
The autumn season has always been a time of traditions and reflection for my family. Whether it was trips to the local pumpkin patch or making one of our favorite autumn recipes, it was a time that was filled with comfort and happiness. These days, things are different in my house, more now than even just the previous few years. Julianna is now away at college and Ava is out and about doing her own thing with her friends. To keep the appreciation and enjoyment of the season going for myself, I’ve decided to really embrace the days and moments and do things that I enjoy, maybe even adding a new spin to it.
This past Friday, I took a well needed mental health day to step away from the daily grind. After getting through my morning routine, I took a ride to a new trail that I have been meaning to check out. It was a beautiful day with a slight chill in the air, just the right vibe to keep me going on this 2-mile hike.
From there, I took a ride to the Lancaster Farmers Market in Wayne, PA. This market was one of my favorite places to visit when I was going into the office for work full-time. I spent many Friday afternoon lunch breaks there, just wandering around, visiting the various butcher shops, cheese mongers, bakeries, candy corner and the coffee stand. It was a wonderful treat to return there. The second I walked through the market door I felt any stress or tension that I have been carrying with me melt away. 45 minutes later, and after stopping at many of my favorite stands, I walked out with a bag full of fresh produce, biscotti, fresh donuts and a nice cup of coffee.
My stop at the produce stand introduced me to some fun new gourd varieties. I came home with a few honeynut squash, and a delicate squash (like an acorn squash, apparently). I’m still trying to figure out what type of recipe to use them with this coming week. It’s a tossup between soup, ratatouille, or even just grilling them up on one of these nice unseasonally warm days we are about to have. Stay tuned for a follow up on whatever new recipe I come up with!
Friday night, as Ava was out visiting one of the local haunted house attractions with her friends, I took advantage of the time to myself, made a pizza, turned off all the house lights (except for the Halloween decorations), and watched a spooky old black and white monster movie. The classic vibes were there, and it was a Spooktacular time for me.
Saturday morning, the autumn food vibes kept rolling out. I’ve been in the mood to make pumpkin bread for a while now and decided to go with an old school recipe that I learned many years ago… coffee can pumpkin bread. This is a recipe that I believe dates to the depression era. You bake the bread in a steel coffee can. I have fond memories of making coffee can pumpkin bread when I was in elementary school. We would make it to sell at the annual Christmas Bazaar. I found an article and recipe years back and shared it on my food blog, you can find the link by clicking here. The recipe is for a classic pumpkin bread, filled with all the autumn spices that you would expect. The method is to pour the batter into an empty coffee can, which then bakes into this cool cylinder shape. You can even use the lines from the coffee can to make your slices. There is something special about a nice hot cup of coffee this time of the year. I can’t think of a better pairing than a cup of coffee with a slice of warm pumpkin bread. It’s a true comforting moment for me.
These recent days have been a reminder for me to embrace the moments that offer enjoyment. There is nothing better than taking the time you need to find a little happiness. Get out there, visit your farmers market, pour yourself a cup of coffee, enjoy your favorite treats. And do it all with a smile on your face.
When we gather with loved ones, food is often the centerpiece of conversation. We bond over recipes, cooking techniques, and even the stories behind our favorite dishes. It’s a way to connect and find comfort in the present moment, without worrying about the past or future. For me, ‘food therapy’ is about finding solace in the familiar and gentle process of sharing food and stories. It helped me find a new sense of purpose and connection during my discovery of being a widower and a solo parent. I believe this concept could be incredibly beneficial for those who, like me, have experienced loss and are looking for a way to slowly re-enter their lives. It’s an encouraging and exciting topic that holds a lot of promise. My intentions of this blog page are to help others find the same solace and benefit from this approach.
