I told my friend this, and he said, “So what does that smell like? Leaves?” Pumpkin. Cloves. Nutmeg. Cinnamon. I just baked Pumpkin Walnut Muffins, and the second I grated the nutmeg into the batter, a rush of memories, mostly from Thanksgiving, came floating into my tiny, apartment kitchen.
My mother is one of those people who goes all out for the seasons. During the summer, the house smells like basil, and a pile of tomatoes constantly sits atop the counter. When spring rolls around, it’s flowers everywhere, and there is the distinct smell of Extra Virgin Olive Oil throughout the kitchen, from the simple preparation she takes with the season’s fresh produce. In the winter, of course, the Christmas decorations come out, and the house smells of hearty stews and soups. With fall comes apple dapple, multicoloured indian corn, and the smell of nutmeg in everything. For the first time since I moved out of my house, I really feel like it’s fall–how silly is that? No matter, I’ve discovered how to do it, and as I sit here eating a muffin, hot out of the oven, I’m considering my mother’s butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie, and sweet mashed yams.
Get psyched… this fall is going to be fun!