One Simple Thing: Apples Arriving, Pumpkins Waiting
Beauty in the in-between season.
This has been a heavy week of news cycles. In seasons like this, I head to the kitchen, leaning into the small comforts of daily life, rhythms that remind us of continuity. For me, this week, this season is always marked as a gentle shift from summer into fall: apples arriving in their abundance, while pumpkins are just beginning to appear.
A season to anticipate.
There’s something hopeful in this overlap: enjoying the sweetness of what’s here and the promise of what’s to come. And the best is yet to come.
Apples, Simplicity, and Comfort
At the market last weekend, crates of apples were spilling over in every shade of red and green, while pumpkins were beginning to peek in at the edges. I brought home a bag and made the simplest comfort food I know: applesauce.
My homemade applesauce recipe requires only three ingredients: apples, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar (or not, depending on the apples). In less than half an hour, the house smells like fall.
This recipe is timeless, one that an Amish friend taught me years ago. Her family always served applesauce alongside savory dishes—never on its own. I love that thought, because applesauce is just as much at home with roast chicken, pork chops, or potato pancakes as it is spooned warm over a slice of cake.
It’s also a classic part of German-inspired cooking, which makes it the perfect companion to the Oktoberfest recipes I’ve been sharing lately—think homemade pretzels, sausages, and schnitzel. Applesauce isn’t just sweet; it’s deeply traditional, a bridge between cultures and seasons.
👉 Here’s my recipe:
Pumpkins, Just Ahead
And while I’m savoring apples now, I’m also watching pumpkins ripen and yes, they’re already finding a home on my front porch. A first pumpkin loaf or even a cozy mug cake is just around the corner. In fact, this Friday on 31Daily, I’ll be sharing a brand-new Pumpkin Mug Cake—the easiest little dessert for when the craving strikes.
A Thought to Carry With You
There’s beauty in this in-between season: enjoying today’s apples while looking forward to pumpkin season. Perhaps the best part of late September is anticipation itself.
“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop
Until next week,
xoxo Stephanie