TABLE TALK

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." ― Lauren DeStefano (American author) Don't we all remember as kids our parents diligently raking fallen leaves into a ginormous pile? And then the thrill of running (as fast as you could!) and diving headfirst into the crisp, earthy pile of crunchy leaves? As adults, we can still revel in the fun and beauty of autumn. There is so much to take in — sights, sounds, smells and tastes. (My favorite: apple cider donuts!) I love shushing through the leaves, seeing the magic glow of October light. Putting on a sweatshirt in the morning, then peeling off the layers as the day warms up to the sound of crickets, then curling up by the fire with hot cocoa at night. Yet, along with all that fun, there is work. So many leaves, so little time! No worries: we've got both the fun and work covered in this issue. First up, the fun! Turn to our back cover to discover the joy of picking your own apples at a local farm (we've listed both Monadnock Region and Brattleboro area orchards). Some even make fresh apple cider donuts for visitors. And for harvest recipes with non-traditional twists, turn to page 28 to learn to make the sumptuous pumpkin pancakes, carrot risotto and the best-tasting chocolate pudding. And if it rains, plan a getaway to MoCA (page 11). Now for the work. Find ways to make your fall cleanup easier (hint: you don't have to rake all those leaves). Get these and other tips in our atHome with Monadnock Table section on page 20. And when your work is done, it's time to get crafty. See feature store on page 16 for ideas on getting your creative juices flowing. Happy fall to all, Marcia Passos Co-founder/Editor, Monadnock Table