Well, the hurricane season is peaking,this is always the prelude to autumn. The air will begin to get cooler as the nights have already begun to darken earlier. Frosty mornings will wake us up as we scurry off to work and we will look forward to coming home to the fragrant fall foods and beverages. There is nothing like hot chocolate or mulled cider to lift the spirits when there is a chill in the air. Not to mention the aroma of hot apple pie or a cranberry pumpkin scone. Food is heartier in the fall stews accompanied with hot buttered biscuits, or perhaps hot biscuits topped with gravy. Nothing says fall like a pot of Navy/greatnorthern beans,slow cooked with ham,onions and tomatoejuice to make a wonderful soup. Pinto beans and warm cornbread. These are nutricious as well as delicious and they are inexpensive. Today we have to watch our spending, because oil prices and everything else is going up including groceries. Apples are wonderful and versatile, spiced,baked, or in a pie the aroma is tantilizing. Warm banana pudding is always a crowd pleaser as well.

The men on your list will love country fried steak and gravy, or perhaps a savory beef stew. Chicken pastry or chicken dumplings paired with cornbread is a hot stick to your ribs dinner. Porkloin slow cooked like a roast is wonderful,serve this with spiced apples and your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy the wonders of fall,the colors,the crisp nights as we prepare for the holidays. And watch for my holiday recipes