So, what is it "almost" that time of year for?

With the temperate weekend in tow, I'm planning an exciting date with a man that I may have a real mutual liking for...

This time of year for me means:

Could be hot, could be comfortable. If it's hot, enjoy it until if gives way to the cold. I prefer the heat.

End of tomato season - the saddest time of the year .

No. 2 pencils replacing my favorite pen (just kidding, pencils already are my favorite pen).

This weekend, I plan to ride my bike, walk in the park, eat at Roots, drink a full growler, and cook a soup. Too early for soup? I miss it! Where else should I eat (I have about 8 meals to think about before I return to work)? What drives your culinary cravings in late August / early September? I'll definitely be dropping off at Carmen's Cupcakes at some point. LHB = excellent PR.

For me..........

Picking apples at the orchards
Making apple pies and apple dumplings
Apple cider
SOUPS!!!!! I can't wait to have a soup party this fall (I make 6-8 different pots of soups and others bring breads and desserts)
I make cheesecakes in the fall......I put a layer of cake, then my cheesecake, and a homemade topping. One of the favs around my friends and family is spice cake topped with vanilla bean cheesecake and topped with caramel apple topping.

For the closing of the pools.

But, it is almost football season!

It's almost that time of year wherein I put a security code on every channel but football games, and after my SO has tried 10,000 combinations, realizes she will not be able to watch re-re-re-re-runs of food shows, and I will, indeed, get to watch my fantasy team lose.

It's almost football season and that means it's time for Tailgating !!!

Come on down to Cooking at the Cottage and we'll show ya how we get it done...

NEW CLASS! Tuesday, September 13th
● Steve Pearson – Rolling Bones BBQ Team ● “It’s Game Day – Tailgating is Here!” ● $45.00 ● 6:30 – 9:00 pm

After a long, hot summer, game day is just a few weeks away! Whether it is a football game, NASCAR race, or a party in front of the big screen TV, tailgating has become a sport of its own. Load up your trunk, pack your cooler and head out to the game! Menu: First & Goal - Bloody (or Virgin) Mary, served with an antipasti skewer ● The Coach's Appetizer Trio - Cardinal Veggie Pizza ● Pigskins - Potato skins stuffed with pulled pork and cheese ●Third Down Skewers – Olive/Melon/Country Ham Skewers ● Wildcat Phatties - Sausage/Corned Beef/Hash Brown Phattie (just wait until you try one!) ● The Bomb - Our long ball version of the breakfast casserole (for those early arrivals to the event) ● Locker Room Stew - our take on the southern classic,Brunswick Stew ● Touchdown Tacos - Machaca Style Beef (Mexican shredded beef) Soft Tacos, served with Roasted Corn and Black Bean Saute, Guacamole and Pico De Gallo ● Extra Point Brownies- Chocolate/White Chocolate/Caramel/Pecan Brownie...It's up, it's good

It's almost football season and that means it's time for Tailgating !!!

First time tailgating for a soccer game here in about a hour !......need to take it off my bucket list

Getting close to pumpkin doughnuts at Nord's! I love those!

Jackie, I'm with you. I will miss the heat, and I am already feeling the cold creep in, even on the hot days, and I hate that tomato season is almost over.

The things I'm looking forward too, though: Oktoberfest (beers and wursts!), Halloween decorations on Hillcrest, Christmas home tours in Old Louisville, and, finally (following seasonal affective disorder in Jan-Feb) next Spring!

[Robin Garr]

... (following seasonal affective disorder in Jan-Feb) next Spring!

Right there with you.

the joy of football followed by the soul crushing depression of winter!
my trip to arizona in january!
gravity head in feb.

A trip to Gallrein for pumpkin picking , hayrides and animals. ( Skip the crowds at Hubers)

A lovely trip out 60 to do the above- Midway and Versailles are nice drives too.

Frantically planting lettuce seeds in hopes of a fall crop.

Frantically putting up tomatoes to have them over the winter.

Happily working outside again without dying from the heat.

SOUPS! ( already made black bean last week despite the 90 degree heat- I miss them)

Deb

[Robin Garr]

Baking bread! I know, you can do it in the summer with the A/C running, but it seems just right on fall weekends.

Wearing hooded sweatshirts. Only the best clothing invention ever.

Our daughter, son-in-law, and their 4 1/2 son, rave about Gallrein. Their pictures show a great time, especially with B. picking out his very own pumpkin.

From Gallrein website:

"Fall brings fun on the farm! Bring your family, your group, or your class to Gallrein Farms for horse-drawn wagon rides to our huge pumpkin patch. See farmland that’s actually being worked to raise crops such as wheat, corn, alfalfa, hay, and soybeans. Meet farm animals and feed them at our free Petting Zoo.

After you have picked out your pumpkins, shop for fall produce, including colorful gourds, Indian corn, and mums for fall decorating."

I have no affiliation with the farm, just enjoy their corn; and our daughter's positive comments on the farm for a Fall visit.

Our daughter, son-in-law, and their 4 1/2 son, rave about Gallrein. Their pictures show a great time, especially with B. picking out his very own pumpkin.

From Gallrein website:

"Fall brings fun on the farm! Bring your family, your group, or your class to Gallrein Farms for horse-drawn wagon rides to our huge pumpkin patch. See farmland that’s actually being worked to raise crops such as wheat, corn, alfalfa, hay, and soybeans. Meet farm animals and feed them at our free Petting Zoo.

After you have picked out your pumpkins, shop for fall produce, including colorful gourds, Indian corn, and mums for fall decorating."

I have no affiliation with the farm, just enjoy their corn; and our daughter's positive comments on the farm for a Fall visit.

David,

It's become our annual trip for the last 4-5 years. Nice drive out to an actual working farm, and low-key with enough to keep kids very happy but actually feel like it's a farm ( not an amusement park). They also have musician's some times. Farm store has seasonal fruits and vegetables and some other local goods. We love it!