Is It Autumn Yet?

Do you have a favorite season? I like it when it’s cold, wet and rainy, but only if I get to stay inside curled up by the fire. I’m not a fan of summer’s heat. Sure, I like the way my skin turns a beautiful bronze color, but you can only take off so much clothing and not get arrested.

Balmy tropical summers are nice, with a refreshing ocean breeze and the daytime highs don’t get much above 80 degrees. I just can’t afford to live in Tahiti for the summer. Spring is nice. The days are pleasant, the nights still cool, with those bursts of sweet rain to renew the earth in a Heavenly Baptism. I’m just not a fan of pastel colors. It’s the earth tones of autumn that warm me from the inside out. I like the sights, sounds and smells of autumn. The rustling sound beneath my feet as I walk through the forest with its tapestry of leaves on the ground. The smells of wood burning in a distant fireplace. Or bread baking in the oven. I love feel of soft sweaters against my skin or blazers with pockets to keep my hand warm. The world seems on fire with deep hues of yellow, amber, rusts and golds of the season. Fall is by far my favorite time of all.

One of those What Do You Prefer questions popped up recently on X. You had to choose between two very different settings. Both were simple yet very much opposites. My response was this: On my own I would choose the mountain cabin, with a pack of silly golden retrievers as company. However; Hubby would choose the beach hands down. Since I go where he goes, the beach it is. Of course, the beach needed to be in constant summer, just as autumn at the cabin needed to last year round.

While I cannot “wish” for autumn and suddenly we are there, I can transport our breakfast table to a beautiful morning in October with these simply yet delicious Waffles inspired by the season. Enjoy!

Apple Cider Waffles With Apple Topping
Apple Topping
2 Sweet Apples
4 tablespoons Butter
4 tablespoons Brown Sugar

Peel, core and cut apples into wedges. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples, cook for about 6 minutes, until apples are tender. Stir often.

Sprinkle brown sugar over the apples. Continue to cook until sugar has melted into a buttery brown sugar glaze. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Apple Cider Waffles
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
Pinch Salt
2 teaspoons Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Egg
1 cup Apple Cider
Butter as needed

Heat waffle iron, spray with nonstick cooking spray.

While the iron heats whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. In another bowl whisk egg with apple cider. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, fold gently until well combined and there are no pockets of dry flour in the mix.

Ladle into the prepared waffle iron. Bake according to manufacture’s instructions.

Once waffle is ready, spread some soft butter over the top of the waffle, then remove from iron. Waffle can be served immediately topped with the apple topping or held on a wire rack in a warm oven until all the waffles are ready.

Optional Finishing Touches
Whipping Cream
Maple Syrup

If desired, top with whipping cream or warm syrup and enjoy.

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In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.