Following the cycle of life. Re-posted from 10/2011.
No matter where you live there are signs of the harvest, festivals, county fairs and blue ribbon pies. Roadside stands with red juicy apples and fresh tangy cider. Now to gather in the pears and plums, the grapes the crops of forest and field. Forage for herbs and flowers to save and dry, too soon the frost and then it dies.
Jams and jellies, preserves to make, zucchini and pumpkin for bread to bake. Tomatoes to can and pickles to soak, big hearty meals for all the kin folk. Sharing the bounty with family and friend as it will be months for there is fresh food again.
In the root cellar under the house glass mason jars lined on the shelf. String, yellow, wax, stewed, green relish, red relish, fruit desert. Dried beans and peas are stored inside a tin, potatoes and carrots in a sawdust bin. Paper wrapped apples placed in a crate will stay crisp through the winter. Onion and garlic braided in ropes, some herbs some roots and fragrant things and in one special box are the seeds for next spring.
It’s a great time of year to create memories. Invite a few friends over to make up some preserves or jams. Take the children to visit a farm or wander the fields to watch other species harvest their own.
earthstonestation 
Damn. That’s so cool. It looks so good, now I’ve gotta dig myself a root cellar. And I live in Los Angeles — where nobody has a basement!
I love fall for all the suggestions you’ve listed. Lovely post and the photos are beautiful.
This is such a lovely post… a reminder that not as much has changed over the centuries as we sometimes think – harvest-time is a timeless time, and brings back so much of the best of the past, thank you Dohn
Thank you Valerie. In these ‘modern’ times many have forgotten where our food comes from. Something that ties us all together and a way to come together is the harvest
Wonderful words and images, and those chilies are a great reminder that I’ve got a batch of fresh ones to dry. My first year drying chilies, so I’m excited.
In the southwest they adorne the homes with ‘ristras’ of drying chili. Enjoy yours .
A very thoughtful piece, Dohn. I enjoy this time of year, and your words highlight the fact that people all over the world, no matter where they are or what language they speak, are basically the same. My wife and I have been busy pickling onions and making jam the past few days. Green tomato chutney is next on the list.
Cheers, Alen
Chutney sounds really good right now.
The image of the chili peppers next to that vibrant blue door is amazing!
i don’t do much preserving any more but I have sweet memories. The image of the red chilies by the door really brought a smile – memories of days in New Mexico.
Really love this post – both the images and your prose! It’s such a great season too.
Yum!