“Designers want me to dress like spring, in billowing things. I don’t feel like spring. I feel like a warm red autumn.” – Marilyn Monroe.
Autumn and Fall. We usually think of ‘fall’ as the American version of the word ‘autumn’, but it was actually in widespread use in Britain until relatively recently. Originally a shortening of the phrase fall of the leaf, the phrase was common in England in the 17th century. The word autumn entered English from the French automne and didn’t become common until the 18th century.
The Colours of Autumn. With the seasons changing and nature transforming, one of the most stunning signs of autumn is the turning of the leaves. As the days shorten, there isn’t enough light for photosynthesis to occur, so the trees shut down their food production systems and reduce the amount of chlorophyll in their leaves. With its decline other chemicals become more prominent in the leaves and these are responsible for the rich autumn colours such as reds, oranges, yellows and golden browns we see.
Comforting food. Thanksgiving ceremonies and celebrations to give thanks for a successful harvest are ancient and celebrated worldwide. In the UK we have celebrated harvests since pagan times. Harvest festivals are traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon. This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox). Usually, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. A corn dolly was supposed to possess the spirit of the corn goddess and dates back hundreds of years. People believed that the corn goddess lived in the corn and would die when the corn was harvested unless some of it was saved. So to make sure the goddess stayed alive until the next spring sowing, a corn dolly was made from the last sheaf of corn to allow the goddess to rest until the next harvest.
Jams, crumbles, pickles and toffee apples. The season to preserve and pickle, a time to cook hearty stews and warming soups from root vegetables, pumpkins and squashes followed by delicious desserts using damsons, plums, apples and of course blackberries.
