Loving the Fall - Autumn at its Best

I have two favorite seasons...

Spring... for obvious reasons. Long, dreary, cold Winter is over!  Lilac & apple blossoms,

asparagus,

fiddle heads, just to name a few

And then there's Autumn - wait do you think I've forgotten Summer... not really.  Although I love the harvest and travelling through this lovely province that is Nova Scotia, I don't relish heat.  So Summer for me, is just a stopping point between my favorite seasons.

Fall, on the other hand, with its special bounty including a bazillion tomatoes, squashes and, most definitely apples.  I've been going apple picking with my daughter and her (now) husband for many years... even before we moved here.  That's Joanna in an apple tree a number of years ago.

It's always been fun, especially once little ones arrived.  I love the "testing" part to make sure we picked the juiciest, crunchiest apples in the orchard.

So yesterday was no exception.  We headed out to Elderkin's Farm Market & uPik in the Annapolis Valley.    Truthfully, the boys and I pooped out within 15 minutes.  It was incredibly hot out ... think mid-Summer...

 but that didn't stop my Princess from collecting 40  pound - you heard correctly!  The photo only shows 20 pounds and then she just bought 10 pounds of pears for us to do some chutney making.

The boys and I had a different favorite moment - eating ice cream after all the work was done!

Since we're on the subject of apples, I thought I'd share some of my favorite apple recipes

the Apple Crisp that's been in my family for at least three generations

Apple Cake, moist and delicious especially for a mid-morning snack

and my very favorite of all.... Normandy Apple Tart.

Since we'll be making some Pear Chutney this afternoon...I thought I'd share that too.

What's your reason for loving Fall?

Who Says Dessert Has to Be Forbidden?

I admit it...when I think of desserts, my instant reaction is...oh well, there goes the waistline. But recently I found the perfect dessert, especially for holiday dinners...it is Thanksgiving here in Canada, after all.



This Spicy Pear Sorbet has no sugar! No sugar, no honey, no...anything but the natural sweetness of ripe pears. And it's truly the perfect finish to a rich over the top dinner.



I found it in the Healthiest Meals on Earth book I wrote about and even if you don't take the book to extremes...really balancing a meal the way the author recommends, you will find some great dishes. This one is an antioxidant...and it tastes so good! Those with lactose intolerance will finally be able to eat a creamy, delicate dessert and not have to pop any pills. The rest of us who normally feel guilty about adding lots of calories from buttery, creamy desserts will be amazed at the richness without the fat.



Happy Thanksgiving to all!