Oh October, I Still Love You
Oct 12th, 2008 by Anna
You’ve heard it before, but one drawback about southern California weather is the lack of seasons. Of course we have seasons, but they change very subtly. Generally speaking, people look forward to October’s cool, crisp days. October in San Diego is still summertime. We turned on our seldom-used air conditioning last week.
There is also the threat of Santa Ana winds during October and dreadful wildfires. I’ll never forget the way the sky looked the morning after my 30th birthday–orange, black, and gray…nothing like the crystal clear blue of the Sierra sky in autumn.
The trees don’t do much here either. Liquid ambers are basically the only thing that change color, but their colors are pretty muted in my opinion. So that’s not exciting.
It isn’t all bad here in the autumn, though. The weather cooled off this weekend and it was such a relief. The cool down came just in time for our neighborhood’s annual block party–an excellent October tradition. Neighbors and all their kids, a giant potluck, free goodies like snow cones and ice cream, raffles, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, and more.
We’re also glad for fall’s arrival to cook everything pumpkin. Yesterday it was pumpkin pancakes and last week we made vanilla pumpkin pie. Oscar, Laurel, and I are getting lots of baking practice in before Thanksgiving & Christmas.
Aunt Turtle is also a lover of pumpkin cuisine.
October always ends much stronger than it begins in SD. I’ll steel myself for the next heat wave (I do love the feel of the Santa Ana’s early in the morning, however) with the knowledge that my birthday & Halloween are coming soon. October really is the best month of the year, isn’t it?
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I see that Oscar is already proficient with pumpkin pie making and eating! We will just have to perfect those skills at Thanksgiving. Yummy!
Regarding the last line: I have always thought that too! And not just because it’s my bday but several other good friends as well. But also because: it’s usually warm, Fleet Week brings cute sailors and the Blue Angels, baseball playoffs where I change my allegiances from round to round, and of course, Halloween and getting pumpkins! The atmosphere just feels right too!
Let’s not think about that earthquake or Wall Street meltdowns though!
You kind of hit the nail on the head as to how I have been feeling lately in regard to October and Southern California and it’s lack of Autumn-ish feel (at least to this East Coast/Midwestern born and bred girl).. Needless to say I’m still adjusting!
Your pumpkin recipes sound yummy!