Warm October Greetings, dear Farmgirl readers! I hope you are enjoying the time and are not too affected by the storms that have been making their way around the country. We have had some stormy, windy days, but for the most part, the month has started out beautifully. After all, it is October in New England – time for nature’s best show!

Everyone talks about New England’s Autumn season – we even have many tourists in the fall, called “Leaf Peepers”, who drive into the area just to take in the breathtaking season, but it’s right now – early October, that is my favorite time, the beginning of fall that really captures my heart. It’s when nature shows her best. Many of the summer flowers are still blooming.  Not all of the trees have lost their leaves; some are still holding onto their green, but we also see shades of gold, red, and even purple.

There’s a natural filter, a beautiful cast to the light, this time of year. 

Everything is decorated for “coziness”, and it’s the start of the happiest parts of the year – Halloween and the holidays. There’s a calm before the “busy” of the winter holidays. 

Right now, as I write this blog, I have bread rising, because baking season is upon us again. A friend bought a nearby farm and sells honey commercially. She is so lovely to give me several jars each year of delicious, local honey. Today I am making classic honey wheat bread. Even the kitchen “smells cozy”.

The beginning of Fall is truly my favorite time of year; it’s really when I enjoy nature the best. The oppressive heat and humidity of summer has left, but there’s both a warmth and a chill in the air. Jeans, sweaters, and sweatshirts come out, but there’s still afternoons where you can don shorts or sandals comfortably.

We’re still getting fresh veggies from the garden, farmers’ markets, and the co-op, and I am making more hot meals like stews, breads, and casseroles. It’s the time of year when it feels like summer and fall collide – giving us the best of both.

Fall is when we see the last of the fairs – state fairs, wool and sheep fairs, and renaissance fairs. It’s neither too hot, nor too cold. 

While many of our visiting feathered friends have migrated back south, we still see and hear birds, hear the owls talking in the night, or run into the occasional toad. 

We also hear the neighbors’ cows moo as they graze on a beautiful, breezy fall day. 

Squirrels, foxes, bears, and deer are getting ready for the cold season ahead. Soon, winter will be upon us, and the outside will turn quiet. The snow will blanket us, and nature will take her rest. 

Until then, we will savor every bit of the gifts of fall. 

I hope you are enjoying your October, having fun and staying cozy! Here is my Honey Wheat Bread recipe. Enjoy, and remember to leave me a comment so I know you stopped by!

Nicole’s Honey Wheat Bread

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 ½ cups whole wheat flour, divided
• 2 TBSP active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ¼ cups water
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 TBSP butter
• 1 TBSP salt

In a mixer bowl, combine 2 cups each of the two flours, and the yeast. 

In a saucepan, heat milk, water, honey, butter and salt up to 120 degrees. Add to flour mixture. Blend on low speed until moistened, beating on medium 3 minutes. Gradually stir in the remaining flours to form a soft dough. Using a dough hook on low speed, knead until smooth, approximately 7 minutes. Place in a greased and covered bowl, letting rise in a warm area 1 hour or until doubled. 

Punch dough down, shape into two loaves, and place in two greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise an additional hour. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks. 

ENJOY!