Falling Gently

The sun shines with an intensity that smacks of desperation. Too soon the light fades and the sun's warmth is but a memory as I reach for a sweater and pull on socks. 

In the garden, fragrant roses produce bloom after bloom. The apples are gone from the trees now - jars of applesauce stand on the pantry shelf and dishes of apple crisp, half-baked, lie waiting in the freezer. The tomatoes ripen. A handful of tiny Millionaire red globes are sweet as candy. Kale will grow throughout a mild winter; who knows if that's what we'll get. Carrots and beets remain in the ground until needed. We clip bunches of Concord grapes for lunches.

As autumn tip toes in on sunny days and coolish evenings, lighting a candle and drinking tea seem the cozy thing to do. When we were in Alberta in the summer, Tim's sister told us that their mother had received a package of Dutch Stroopies in a gift basket once and had really taken to them. We shared what was left while at her place, and we took to them, as well.

But I learned that we were not eating them correctly. Our daughter's mother-in-law is from Holland and the proper way, according to Cristal, via Jannie, is to place the crisp round wafer on top of a cup of hot tea to soften a little. It doesn't take long and makes the centre melt into a sweet syrup that is delicious.

Is autumn arriving gently at your place? Have you ever eaten stroopies? What treat do you enjoy with your tea? 

Linking with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life.