Thursday, August 25, 2011

Time to Fill the Cupboards!

Fall is coming.  Despite the 100+ degrees outside, I know this to be true, because suddenly I want to hoard large amounts of food in my cupboards and my deep freeze.  My pantry mocks me with its barrenness.  I feel the overwhelming need to tidy and organize.  I want to stockpile food for the animals and cat litter.  For some reason, I have to use every bit of self control I have to avoid digging out the pumpkin shaped soup tureen and the tapestry "autumn leaf design" place mats.  I want to track down bales of hay (which are not yet available around here) to decorate the yard.  I want to stuff scare crows.  (Not like this however...



this Doctor Who creeped me out!)

I feel the undeniable need to purchase large quantities of pumpkins and squash and dried corn.  I want to make (vegan) fudge, and pop popcorn, and watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, because that is what we do in the fall.


The only problem is...it isn't fall.  It isn't time yet.

And yet...I feel it so strongly.  So let me make my prediction now, on the record, and come Spring we will see if there was any truth to the instinct:  I predict a bad winter.  I believe the snow and ice and cold will take us by surprise.  I predict that you should stockpile your toilet paper now, to avoid a last minute convergence at the nearly-barren stores once "they" decide that perhaps the storm is a bit stronger than they originally anticipated. I suggest that, perhaps, if you have a few extra dollars in your budget, you  might consider getting a few more canned goods, or dried beans, or rice...

As for me, I will endeavor to hold off another week or two before I start breaking out the carefully packed boxes of autumnal glory.  And I will try not to complain TOO much about the 100+ degree temperatures, because I think that once the snow starts to fall we might actually miss it...just a bit...as we thaw our toes before the fire.

8 comments:

Chris said...

Well, Ginger, I'll take your advice and precognitive visions of the coming nuclear winter and stock my cupboards full of cat litter and toilet rolls as suggested.

There's something both beautiful and eerie about Autumn. All those wonderful colours and autumnal veggies but also the sense of decay and the knowledge that a sharp winter is approaching.

Where the heck did that year go anyway?

A. K. Francis said...

I love you so much. Have I ever mentioned?

And yes, I can feel fall coming, too. Today was the first morning I stepped out of the house and didn't feel like I was walking into a sauna. And the light is different... that late summer light that feels a little more gold than bright white and yellow, the kind of light that tells your head it's nearly time.

Unknown said...

Chris, I do adore autumn. I walked out this morning and it was about 68 degrees, a bit of a wind...a hint of things to come. Soon the leaves will tousle in the streets. And big piles of leaves, damp and heavy, will beckon me to come jump in them. I will try to remember to take pictures, because there are not nearly enough adults who jump in piles of leaves...and even fewer who will share it.

Firespark, just to be fair, I think I should get credit for summoning this morning's lovely weather.

A. K. Francis said...

First, I think we should have a leaf jumping party as soon as there are enough leaves to jump into. With hot cider and popcorn balls. (I think I'm swooning...)

Second, yes, I think you're right. This precognitive blog post called in the cooler weather. I'll remember that next time it's hot and make you post another like it. ;)

Unknown said...

I will take you up on the autumn party, but I insist on those really big ginger cookies I bake, and we also need to have vegan caramel apples. Oh, oh, and some of that pumpkin chili for later, when we are chilled...you know the kind we had last year. *searching for paper to start list*

A. K. Francis said...

Mmm... yes, and your gf pumpkin bread/cake stuff (if you can make it vegan... you have powers... I believe in you) and if I can get a hold of this coffee that Stef and I found one year in the fall called Witch's Brew... are you writing this down? OH! And don't forget we've got to track down that Woodchuck Pumpkin Cider (they are a vegan brewer, remember).

NOW fall has started. :)

Unknown said...

*writing furiously* Ok, got it... The list is officially started! I better make some of that good gluten free/vegan bread that the kids like...hot, fresh bread would be nice with the pumpkin stew.

I vote we use the fire pit and roast some vegan marshmallows, while we are at it!

If we are going to kick autumn off right, we better just go for it!

Kristen said...

I love pumpkin. Love it. Can I come over?