It's Fall Y'all!
There is just something about this time of year. I love watching tractors rushing to bring in the last cutting of hay, the harvesting of corn, and leaves turning brilliant reds, oranges, and golden yellows—all as the temperatures finally begin to cool.
For generations, communities gathered to celebrate the harvest with traditions such as Harvest Home. Today, many modern pagans celebrate the autumn equinox as Mabon, a time of gratitude, balance, and preparation for the quieter months ahead.
It is a time to give thanks for the harvest that will feed us through the coming winter, appreciate the hands that helped bring it home, and begin putting the garden—and perhaps ourselves—a little more gently to rest.
How to Celebrate
If you didn’t make a corn dolly at Lammas, now would be a lovely time to do so. Decorate with apples, pumpkins, small ears of dried corn, acorns, pinecones, or a little basket filled with the season’s bounty.
A small bowl of rosemary, calendula, and sage can bring the harvest to your table. If you enjoy incense, pine or sage can help set the mood.
One idea I particularly like is pairing a black candle with a white candle, or displaying a small set of scales, to symbolize the balance of darkness and light.
Celebrating can be as simple as sharing a seasonal meal and inviting everyone at the table to name something they are thankful for. There is no need for anything elaborate. A warm kitchen, good food, and a moment of gratitude make a beautiful beginning.
What to Eat
For our harvest table, roasted chicken and seasonal vegetables, honey whole wheat bread, and a creamy pumpkin pie make a comforting meal to share.
One Pan Chicken and Potatoes
8 chicken quarters, (thighs and legs)
6-8 large potatoes cut in quarters or halves
5-6 carrots cut in 1-2 inch pieces
1 onion cut in quarters
15 garlic cloves whole
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Black ground pepper
4 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika optional
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two rimmed 12x18 baking sheet with foil.
2. Thoroughly wash the potatoes & carrots and cut up. Pat dry with a paper towel. Pat chicken dry with paper towel. Add chicken, potatoes and carrots, onion & garlic to the lined rimmed baking sheets in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, ground pepper, garlic powder and paprika, if using. Drizzle with olive oil. Carefully toss everything to coat.
3. Place in the oven and bake chicken and potatoes for 1 hour 20 minutes. Check for doneness, chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part, without touching bone, and the potatoes and carrots are tender. If the chicken and potatoes have not browned up as much as you would like, turn the broil setting on and broil for 5 minuteschecking after a minute or two, . Watch carefully, or they will burn.
4. Remove from the oven and serve right away in the baking pan or transfer to a warm serving plate. Serves 8.
Apple Whipped Sweet Potatoes
3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
3 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups apple juice, or cider
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional
1. Place apples, sweet potatoes and apple juice in 3 quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat about 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
2. Add salt, spices, butter and sugar to apple mixture. Mash with mixer or by hand until potatoes are smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the marshmallows.
3. Spread hot mixture evenly in shallow 1 1/2 quart ovenproof serving dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup marshmallows and pecans.
4. Bake at 350°F about 15 minutes or until marshmallows are melted and lightly browned. Serves 8.
Colorful Oven Vegetables
1/3 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups broccoli florets
6 medium carrots, julienned
3 small onions, quartered
1. Place butter in a shallow 3 quart baking dish, place in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes or until melted.
2. Stir in thyme, salt and pepper. Add the vegetables and toss to coat.
3. Cover and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp tender. Serves 8.
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
1 3/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup honey
2 eggs
2 tablespoons yeast
6 cups whole wheat flour
1. Scald milk, cool until lukewarm. Add salt, oil, honey, water, eggs, yeast, mix well. Add half of the flour. Let stand 15 minutes, add the rest of the flour. Work and knead 16-20 min.
2. Let rise until doubled. Divide in half, shape loaves. Put in 9x5 buttered pans. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour. This can also be shaped into clover rolls and baked in muffin tins. Bake them at 375°F for 12-17 minutes or until golden brown.
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups whipped topping, thawed
1 graham cracker crumb crust, try this with gingersnap cookie crust
1 cup milk
15 ounces solid-pack pumpkin
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1. Mix cream cheese, 1 tablespoon milk and sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread on bottom of crust.
2. Pour 1 cup cold milk into large bowl whisk in pudding mixes until combined. Add pumpkin, and spices. Beat with wire whisk until well mixed. Mixture will be thick. Spread over cream cheese layer.
3. Top with additional whipped topping if desired. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Store leftover pie in refrigerator. Cut into 8 slices.
From our hearth to yours~
May this season of balance remind us that there is a time for gathering and a time for letting go.
May our tables hold enough to share, our homes be filled with warmth, and our hearts remember with gratitude the hands, the earth, and the seasons that brought the harvest home.
May we carry forward what nourishes us, gently release what no longer serves us, and find contentment in the simple gifts already gathered around us.
As daylight begins its quiet journey toward winter, may we find light in one another, peace within our homes, and a little magic in the everyday.
Blessed Mabon, and a joyful harvest season.
Granny B
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