Such is life in Vermont as we edge our way into late autumn. The leaves are past peak now. The deep reds and oranges of a couple weeks ago have been replaced by yellows and browns. The stained glass windows in the canopy have become lush carpets under the maples. Last weekend also brought our first snowfall - light dustings mostly, but enough to remind us all of what's coming. To be sure, Vermont's glorious summer and dazzling foliage season are behind us. Winter looms.
It's important to have things to look forward to this time of year. Winter hobbies are popular in the northern states for obvious climactic reasons, of course, but they're also important psychologically. Shorter days, bare branches and dropping temperatures are a lot easier to take if you are a hockey fan, for instance. At our house, we put up our bird feeders in November. Our woodland surroundings teem with life and we are better able to enjoy that in winter. We don't dare leave food out in the warmer months - best to wait until we know the bears are down for the season. We enjoy the simple pleasures of flannel sheets and longer sleeves - Fuzzy Pants Days and the like. It's also a better time of year for turning on the oven which means...
Baking!
I took up baking last year but gave it up for the summer. Now that it's cooler, setting the oven to 450 appeals in a way it didn't a month ago. I am gradually working my way through How to Bake by Nick Malgieri, from which the plain scones recipe came. It was a good project for getting back in the groove - very easy. We all gobbled them up eagerly. Apricot jam was a fine pairing.
I used to bake a lot but have never tried scones. My favorite baking book is the "Tassajara Bread Book." Their yeast bread using a sponge method is incredible and with easy steps to follow. I've had the book since the late 70s and it's all dirty but still used.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation.
DeleteI love to bake, I think inherited from my grandmothers. They took such pride in their accomplishments....breads, rolls, pies, etc. There is something gratifying about the finished product.
ReplyDeleteDue to my Danish and German heritage, I have long been a sucker for baked goods.
DeleteLove the idea of fuzzy pants day, gonna steal that one. LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't bake but if you ever have extra, just send it my way. Yum!
You live further north than I do, I think. What's your winter hobby, Yolanda?
DeleteI love fuzzy pants day which is usually the weekend for me...after i do anything I need to do in the city. Those scones look delicious. I plan to make some scrapbooks up in the new year otherwise i always love creating cards
ReplyDeleteYours is an excellent indoor hobby.
DeleteFuzzy Pants Day!! I live it!
ReplyDeleteMeant to say "love" haha!
DeleteIt was fun.
DeleteMmmm... sounds so good! I might have to check out that book and try to make scones!
ReplyDeleteThey were lovely.
DeleteYour scones look very tasty.
ReplyDeleteLove fuzzy pants day, what a hoot.
Since our winter is about a month and a half. I use that time to do indoor thing like de-clutter the studio (hahahahahahaaha).
I usually design/make my Christmas card and gifts in the hot summer days.
Our sping comes early so I plan the small garden and cook things that go in the oven. To hot any other time.
cheers, parsnip
I would not imagine Tucson is much of a winter hobby destination, unless your hobby is escaping winter.
DeleteWe have Mount Lemon, in the Catalinas Mountains. You can ski, build snowmens then come down to the valley, swim and Bar B Q
DeleteSometimes life is good !
Sounds nice.
DeleteGood snow for a short time, Fun for us desert people. Not for people who love skiing Whistler orTelluride.
DeleteBut all the snowbirds just love spending winter here, the no shoveling, chains on tires and all the tacos and sangria they want.
As much as I might complain, my poetic side enjoys the winters here. They're long. That's the hardest part.
DeleteYum! It's been balmy here in Chicago for the past week, but we *almost* had frost a few mornings last week, and I was baking to heat the house. I even turned the thermostat to "Heat" and the furnace kicked on. :(
ReplyDeleteBut this past week was wonderful, upper 60's low 70's in the daytime. Crisp enough for a morning jacket. Our fall color is still raging, though more and more leaves are hitting the ground. And, with today's rain, we'll be getting that sloppy sidewalk any second.
I am a seasons gal, afflicted with SAD as I am, and so this time of year becomes filled with reflection and a pining for sunny days no matter how cold. I'd love one of your scones, today, when it's gray and blustery. It feels like chili weather, so I'm glad I made a pot of it last night. I'm wishing today could be a fuzzy pants day, but I have too many errands! All in the wet... *sigh*
V:)
My condolences to Chicagolanders this week. My wife is from your part of the world and we too are grieving over the Cubbies' demise.
DeleteChili sounds good.
Hey Armchair! Nothing like hot scones dripping with butter or jam and cream fresh out of the oven. Definitely cold weather food (although pumpkin scones are very popular cold in Queensland).
ReplyDeleteHard to believe how cold it must get in Vermont. I have a sister-in-law who goes there over Christmas every year to ski.
Denise :-)
The cold here is not as oppressive as it is in the upper Midwest: Minnesota, for instance. But we do get more snow.
DeleteI need a fuzzy pants day! Sounds delightful! I really love the idea of staying in and being cozy all day. The scones look and sound scrumptious. Glad you had a nice weekend!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks, Jess!
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