Welcome to those of you who are visiting from Runaway Bridal Planner’s Blog Hop! Take a look around, and if you’d like to know more about me check out my welcome page.
Last week I wrote about preparing your pantry for fall, and about the CSA where I’m a member ending for the season. I will miss the weekly pickups, and the rhythm of the growing season. I don’t remember how many years ago I read Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, but I love her image of the vegetannual. It’s a representation of the change of vegetables that are available through the growing season.
Here’s a preview if you’re interested in checking it out. AVM was one of the first books I read when joining the local food movement.
Because most of the vegetables in season this time of year are storage crops, I have decided not to join the winter CSA offered by Groundswell. However if you are in West Michigan and have never been part of a CSA I highly recommend it! Click here for more information: http://groundswellfarm.org/winter-csa-signup/
Looking Back
OK, where was I? Oh yes, preparing for autumn. The changing seasons are such a great metaphor for life stages, don’t you think? I’ve always been a nostalgic soul which is why I think I love autumn so much. Paradoxically, I find myself looking back and looking forward all at the same time.
My mother in law had a stroke recently, and it has made me realize how much we really don’t know how much time we have with our family and loved ones. On Sunday I decided to spend a bit more time with my own mom and we drove to a little health food store in the country that I’ve always wanted to visit. Keeping in mind my pantry prep, I stocked up on bulk split peas, beans, and organic vegetable stock. It was a beautiful drive AND productive.
Over lunch my dad told me about how my Grandma always used to make split pea soup this time of year, and about different things she would put in it. I think that’s why I enjoy cooking simple, whole foods. It reminds me of how my Grandma cooked. I feel like I’m continuing a long tradition.
Looking Forward
I have come to realize that in order for me to run regularly I need a goal. One where I’ve paid good money to run in a group. So DH and I signed up for the Illinois Marathon on April 22, 2017. He is a bit more crazy than me and after his Ironman and recent Grand Rapids Marathon, he will be doing his first 50K in December. He will be doing that one on his own! We are thinking about trying to join the Marathon Maniacs, where we would do 3 marathons in 90 days. That would mean that we would also do the Bayshore Marathon in Travese City (would be my second time, I love that race) and possibly the Charlevoix Marathon. I’m still working on my race calendar for next year, but it is motivating just thinking about it! The cooler weather is SO much easier to run in vs the heat and humidity.
In terms of cooking, I have to say that Wildtree freezer meals have been a lifesaver! Now I just need to figure out breakfast and lunches for the days I don’t have leftovers. Again, I’ve found it so important to adjust expectations and routines when the seasons change. I find myself craving WARM breakfasts and root vegetables.
What other things will I do this fall? I am still deciding. I would love to get back into sewing and crafting. Something about this time of year also makes me want to be creative and do some nesting. The possibilities seem endless, and they are.
What is YOUR soul longing to do? Do you have any fall routines or traditions? Comment below!
This week in the Facebook group we are sharing tips for getting enough WATER. I would love to have you join us!
Since I moved to California (from Milwaukee), seasons have been a little confusing! I loved the veggie calendar graphic you posted – it’s beautiful! And it reminds me of the CSA we had back in Milwaukee, too! I used to do a lot more reading inside in the Fall, but now it’s just a few degrees cooler, so it isn’t dramatically different! Wow… Three marathons in 90 days sounds intense!
I can imagine it would be quite an adjustment! I love California though :-)So many great local foods.
I really need to look at the items from my farm share and get inspired! I’ve really struggled with getting some delicious fall meals together, even though I do love butternut squash! Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, I know I have been feeling very nostalgic lately and wanting to be closer to family as we get closer to the holidays.
I love my CSA. It is such an important connection to have a relationship with farmers. Fall veggies are some of my favorites!
Your commitment to the local food movement is inspiring. I would like to be more enthusiastic about the food I prepare and eat, but somehow it’s one of those things that gets bumped down the priority list. Honestly, it feels more like a chore, a gotta get dinner on the table kind of thing. Plus with kids, they can be picky which makes it even more frustrating.
If you live near any farms, it can be a fun outing with kids!
Living in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re currently preparing for summer, thank goodness! It’s been a long, long winter, so I absolutely cannot wait!
I completely get that! By February I’m ready to go somewhere warm.
I love the illustration. I’m definitely a person who like autumn fruits and veggies. Give me all the apples, plums and pears for a crumble and I’m happy. And I love split pea soup as well. I often make mine with curry powder and root veggies.
I’m not sure I have any Autumn traditions but I think I do a lot more sewing and knitting in the colder months.
Yes! I always get the crafting bug.
Even as a Californian, I love the season. With little kids, every year seems like a new one as we learn what our kids are capable of and what interests them. This year has been all about fall foliage :). We have done art projects, gone on leaf collecting walks, and enjoy baking together. Our family also goes on lots of hikes! I love, love, love fall!
That sounds like so much fun! I love taking my nieces and nephews to the orchards this time of year. Of course they are more interested in the doughnuts and playground 😉
Hope your MIL feels better soon. Recently, I too learnt about the importance of cherishing every memory with every person in our lives. There’s much lesser time than we think. Marathon – good luck on it! Goals definitely keeps us grounded. Nice to have met you through the Blog Hop!
Thank you, it’s hard to know what the road to recovery will look like but we will persevere!
I love fall and all of the different opportunities to use squash. Since moving to Kansas we have quite a few farms nearby which is helpful for incorporating more veggies into our meals.
I’m the same as you in terms of running goals. I need a race to focus on otherwise I don’t tend to be motivated to do much!
Yes! I love connecting to local farms. And I am off to check out your latest post as I am working on my 2017 calendar right now!
The part about the memories from your grandma and her cooking influencing your own now. I think that is great! I’ve always been a believer in what we do and how we live our lives affects others. My parents were big on sports and outdoors activities and that passed down. My mom mostly taught good eating habits and my sisters now are like you passing that on to their kids.
I hope you do make it to the Maniac’s group too! I qualified years ago, but only just joined them officially last year. Hope you do the Traverse Marathon, I haven’t done that one yet, but its on my list because so many others rave about it! Good luck with your running goals!!!
Thank you, the Traverse City marathon was my first that I finished and I loved it! Such a fun atmosphere and so much to do over the weekend. It’s beautiful.
I’m sorry to hear about your MIL, I hope she is doing better. Right now my soul craves a real autumn. I lived for one year in NC and autumn was just as beautiful as the pictures I had always seen. It was a nice day today in Vegas, cloudy and rainy but not cold. I want the cooler temps, I’m ready. Good luck to you and your husband on your running goals for next year!
Thank you, she is improving slowly but surely. I try to enjoy autumn while I can because I know what comes after . . . a LOT of snow. We live in an area that get lots of lake effect snow from Lake Michigan. By February I’m ready to go somewhere . . . like vegas! I’ve never been but it’s on my list.
I pinned that Vegeannul pic. So great. There’s a discussion on living in the season in the Radical Beauty book.
Last night, I made a pumpkin-chicken soup for dinner and just enjoying the fall flavor made me feel so good about myself 🙂
Great post. I hope you enjoyed your spotlight day. Sorry I am a little late with my visit.
I think the thing I look forward most when the temps start to fall is knitting. I learned to knit when I was a kid (like in second grade), and have been making things ever since. Of course, being a runner, I do enjoy the cooler temps as well 😉
I’ve always wanted to learn how to knit.
I think I’d like to join a CSA but never seem to find information on them until it’s too late.
I am so grateful to have a year round Produce Co-Op but we still make adjustments season to season. These are some great tips I don’t know what I would do without our Co-Op I love it!
so glad you enjoy it!
I am so sorry to hear about your MIL! Sending love! I have always wanted to join a CSA- I think it would force me to make different types of recipes!
Thank you. It’s a difficult recovery. And yes, the CSA has definitely made me try lots of recipes and vegetables I would have never tried!
That looks like a beautiful book! I’ll have to check it out.
I just love her writing!
Thank you!