A new blog to contain answers to prompts | 
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Since my old blog "Everyday Canvas "  | 
| Prompt: “In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year.” Cynthia Rylant, Do you agree with her assessment food tastes better? What's your favorite autumn dish? -------- I don't know if food tasted better for some in November, but food tastes from good to great to me, any time during the year. As a popular myth, Autumn's food is usually thought of as being earthy, sweet, and warmly spiced. That it is; however, it is no better or worse than the food during any other month. I think we focus on the food in autumn more because we don't want to face the winter's chill too early. Isn't November the time, in most places, when the air grows crisp, sweaters come out of hiding, and ACs stop working...even in my case at down south, here? Also, autumn is the harvest season when the starchy and the sweet stuff are in season, such as apples, pumpkins, squash, and sweet potatoes. This means more roasting or baking. Plus. autumn with its cozy drinks is comforting, too. Aren't steaming mugs of hot cider, spiced lattes, or dark hot chocolate topped with whipped cream perfect companions to us on a cool afternoon? Then, at any time, I like playing with food, anyway. Isn't this a lot of fun? Such fun reminds me of my mother's correcting me when I was little, "Don't play with your food. Eat it!" Her admonitions alone may still be urging me to do exactly the opposite now, to play with food in my kitchen. Autumn season makes us play with food, too. Pumpkin carving turns into a snack session when the seeds are roasted with salt. Farmers’ markets become treasure hunts for colorful gourds, freshly pressed cider, and pies of every kind. That is pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies. Yummm! So autumn food turns out to be more than nourishment. It turns meals into celebrations, like Thanksgiving and family gatherings. Best yet, it becomes nature's and our most, and in some instances last, offering of comfort and sweetness before the slowing down time during the winter months.  |