Leaning In to Autumn’s Exhale
by Torrey Douglass
If spring is earth’s inhale—drawing in energy, preparing for the task of prolific output, a sharpening of focus right before throwing all intention behind making stuff grow—then fall is its exhale—a grateful sigh after the work is done, a relaxation of tensed muscles. Fall is the time to put down our tools, close our eyes, and lift our faces to savor the sun’s fading warmth. After the rowdy outburst of harvest, there’s a letting go, the quiet of completion. The work is over. What’s done is done. Pencils down and pass your papers to the front.
Essentially, fall is when nature sits back and takes a load off, and you can follow suit. Mimic the trees and shed what is no longer serving you. Mirror the animals and find a comfy spot to snuggle down for a rest—even if it’s only for an hour. Make some space to take a moment and shift from doing to being.
When you snag an opportunity to duck your to-do list and drink in the season’s beauty, it’s nice to have some mulled cider on hand. Not only will it involve all your senses in the exercise of autumnal appreciation, but the cooler nights and abundance of apples practically insist on it. It’s warming, sweet, and tart, with a combination of seasonal spices to perk up your palate. Brew up a batch using the guidelines below, kindly provided by Karen Bates of The Apple Farm. It’s perfect for sharing with a friend or just sipping solo on the porch while the autumn twilight settles peacefully around you.
Mulled Apple Cider
4 c apple juice (available at The Apple
Farm farm stand)
3 thin slices fresh ginger
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp lemon zest
2-3 whole cloves
Simmer on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, strain while pouring into mugs, snuggle up, and savor the season!
