After experiencing one of the hottest summers on record, are you glad October is here?  Whether you embrace all that Fall has to offer or see it as a harbinger of shorter days and cold weather, there’s one thing we can agree on… Fall is fantastic! 

Fall really kicks into high gear in October!  And, if you’re happier with the scent of wood smoke lingering in the air while taking delight in the visual beauty of nature’s colors against the bluest of skies (yes, the skies really are bluer in month October and has the clearest night skies) then you are not alone.  The month of October is at the top of the list of favorite months for many. In fact, 1 out of 7 people say this is their favorite time of the year.  

Autumn activities bring so much happiness.  With the frenetic energy of bees collecting the last of the autumn pollen, we head outside to enjoy the last of the warm weather, look for changing leaves, and enjoy their gorgeous colors as nature prepares to sleep.  It is no surprise that, according to one survey on what people liked about autumn, fall foliage topped the list.  Next was the love of crisp, cool air, anticipation of the holiday season, and making homemade soup.  And, who doesn’t love to jump in a giant leaf pile?

As the days shorten and the shadows stretch, life once again begins to feel cozy.  We layer in flannel and fleece, sip warm apple cider, cook heavier foods, and warm our fingers and toes beside a fire.  We enjoy lazy Sundays on the couch watching sports or reading a good book.

As October draws to a close, we carve pumpkins and tell ghost stories while preparing candy bowls and costumes.  November brings an extra hour of sleep when the clock “falls back,” ringing in shorter days.  Our plans for Thanksgiving heat up as Fall continues its forward progress towards the chill of Winter.  With this in mind, we take the advice of Henry David Thoreau from “Walden” in his practical meditation on living:

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“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” — Henry David Thoreau

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So drink the drink with us, and enjoy this cozy hot apple cider… we’ll see you in the next blog!

HOMEMADE HOT APPLE CIDER – Recipe from REALSIMPLE.com

Ingredients

10 medium apples, quartered

½ orange, sliced into two pieces 

½ cup brown sugar

3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon)

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cloves

Directions

Step 1

Add apples, orange pieces, brown sugar, and spices to a large stockpot and add enough water to submerge the mixture by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil and boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for another 2 hours.

Step 2

Remove the cider from the heat and allow it to cool. Strain the apple mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. If need be, use a potato masher or wooden spoon to crush extra apple solids. Strain one more time through a cheesecloth (or cheesecloth-lined sieve) into a large pot, bowl, or pitcher, squeezing all juices out. Discard any remaining solids.

Step 3

Reheat the cider on the stovetop to serve it warm, or chill it in the fridge for up to a week.

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Deb Fries works with the Julianna Rae team to offer the best shopping experience for quality silk and cotton sleepwear while also writing for the blog at Juliannarae.com.