A Taste of Autumn

We had been experiencing a spell of Summer weather last week, ranging in the 80's and 90's. High humidity levels, the thick air accompanied by the forceful Santa Ana Winds. A handful of lazy days, lounging high in the branches of my apple tree, a book in hand, and-- if I was careful enough-- a cup of coffee in the other. (A recently mastered art of mine. Climbing my apple tree with coffee.)
But despite the comfortable weather, I have undeniably been longing for cooler weather, more suitable to the season we dwell in. I was envious of those in the Eastern states, wearing long sleeved knits and wool coats. But finally, cold weather finally decided to keep us company in this mid October.

Yesterday, with a chilled breeze and thick clouding, we walked to an abandoned house a handful of streets over from our home. The old home resides on half an acre, a quaint place with a bright red barn positioned beside it. Scattered amongst the thick, overgrown yard are many fruit barring plants. A grape vine, a Black Berry bush that at one point nearly swallowed the entire property, and many trees. A lemon tree, apple tree, orange tree, and a walnut tree.

Each ever so often we go to harvest the fruits. Oranges and lemons in the Winter, grapes in the Spring, black berries in the summer, and apples and walnuts in the fall.

And so, we harvested the apples and walnuts.

Once we got home, we put on a fresh pot of coffee, and -- huddle in a circle in the living room-- we spent a few hours cracking the hundreds of nuts we had collected. Then, we roasted them in the oven.

And I must say, they were the best walnuts I have ever had. (And that's coming from someone who has never preferred walnuts.)

Until we meet again,
 --- Mariah