Friday, September 21, 2012

TGIF


Now our work's done, thus we feast, 
After labour comes our rest; 
Joy shall reign in every breast, 
And right welcome is each guest: 
After harvest merrily, 
Merrily, merrily, will we sing now, 
After the harvest that heaps up the mow. 
Old English Harvest Song


Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox or Mabon to some. Mabon is ruled by the Wine Moon and marks the completion of the fruit harvest. In ancient times, this was the time of second harvest. Most of the crops have been reaped, and if the crop was bountiful, a celebration of thanks and feasting would take place. It is always a time of joy and thanksgiving, and although I have always loved this time of year, the harvest has become so much more meaningful to me now than it has been in the past.

It wasn't until I came face-to-face with my own mortality this year that I realized just how poor my diet was and how delicious fruit and vegetables could be. Oh, we always had our totem vegetable with our meal each night, something heated up from a can. And, I made sure I had my morning smoothie. In my eyes, that took care of the fruit end of it. Huge plates of Italian food and steak, sausage, or other meats made up the biggest part of my menu.  Now my diet falls mainly on fruits and vegetables, as I tired of the summer fruits, I found myself longing for the fall and winter vegetables to arrive...and I am armed with plenty of new recipes. 

This year, because of my new diet, I have discovered that one of the best things about fall is the abundance of fruits and vegetables at the farmers' markets and produce aisles at the grocery store. The stalls and shelves are literally overflowing with the fall harvest -- eggplants, grapes, squash, pumpkins, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, pears, and, of course, apples. This year I've a Mabon meal planned that includes some Oatnut bread (store bought) and a low sodium stew of chicken, carrots, onions, corn, and potatoes (already made and frozen for the special day).  For dessert, some baked apples, simple and easy to make after a long day at work.

4 Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter (non-salted for me)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


Scoop out the core from top of each apple, leaving a well. Be sure not cut all the way through. Fill each apple with 2 tablespoons pf brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender.

I've much to do this autumn.  When we moved, I let a lot of my stuff go, including most of my fall decorations.  The old home had been such a nightmare that I just wanted to start from scratch.  When decorating for Mabon be sure use harvest colors of red, russet, orange, brown, indigo and gold. Decorate the table with bunches of dried herbs, sunflowers, and colorful autumn leaves in a basket. Display the fruits of the harvest.  I dohave the most marvelously scented pumpkin candle that I have been saving just for this occasion.

And, while Mabon is a time of giving thanks, we sometimes forget and take our blessings for granted. Sit down and make a gratitude list. Write down things that you are thankful for. 

I am grateful for:

My husband and my two wonderful sons.
My fur baby Miss Minga who has been my loyal companion for over 20 years now. We have grown old together.
A new sunrise each day. My home.  It may  not a mansion, but it is home to me.
The food on my table.
For this blog and my wonderful fellow bloggers who have become my friends.
I’m so, so grateful for life.


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.  Happy Mabon to all.

11 comments:

  1. We all have much to be grateful for Mary. I love the idea of a gratitude list...

    I am grateful for...

    Family that I love so much
    Home that is my sanctuary
    A job that allows me to help others
    My health
    An income that allows me to survive
    To live in a country that is not devastated
    by war and famine.
    The company of our online community.
    A wonderful harvest that allows us all to
    enjoy so many wonderful things to eat.

    Happy Weekend to you too Mary

    hugs and love
    Sharon

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  2. Have a blessed Equinox and a happy harvest. Your meal sounds delicious. I am going to make a green salad with pomegranade, mulled wine and maybe some stuffed tomatoes with goat cheese and spinach.

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  3. Happy Mabon to you Mary! Thank you for the recipe - I am going to try it for sure! We are eating a mostly vegetarian diet these days as well and I find it prompts you to eat "in season." I'll share any good recipes I find with you!

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  4. Enjoyed your post this morning. The coolness of autumn is not quite here in Texas but I can feel a change in the air. Thanks for the recipe, I haven't made baked apples in years and with just the two of us in the house these days it would be so easy to do. Have a great weekend.

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  5. Blessed Mabon to you and yours as well Mary. Enjoy your Autumn celebration. Love decorating for fall; I can smell your candle..lovely!!

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  6. ...and I am happy to be ALIVE as well. Each day is A GIFT! Friends are like the frosting in LIFE! :0)
    (((hugs)))Pat

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  7. Sending a special skritch on the head to Miss Minga!

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  8. May the Abundance of Harvest Blessings by yours Dear Mary!!!
    Your gratitude list really speaks to me.
    Enjoy your Harvest Celebration and know that I will be with you in spirit...
    In Sister Love,
    Akasa

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  9. And the same wish to you, Dear One!!!!!!!

    Enjoy your weekend and the lovely festival contained in it. May we all revel in the Autumn time. :-)

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  10. I too had to start over with all my Autumn belongings when I moved from my old house to my apartment I'm in now and have found such wonderful precious items like a pumpkin candle! May this Mabon bring you lots of love, prosperity and snuggles from your furbaby.

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  11. ...wholesome and yummy`nificent post! ~ 'tis wonderful to have yoU in the collective community! ~ of healthier eating foodies! ~ blessed be!... ...xXx... ...Samantha...

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