Monday, September 21, 2009

Autumnal Equinox

This year the Autumnal Equinox occurs on September 22 at 9:19 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This celestial event marks the beginning of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere. At the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. In the northern hemisphere, before the autumnal equinox, the sun rises and sets more and more to the north, and afterwords, it rises and sets more and more to the south. The word "equinox" was derived from Latin term "æquinoctium" which, in turn, came from "æquus" (equal), and "nox" (night). It refers to the time that occurs twice a year when the nighttime is equal to the daytime -- each being 12 hours in duration.

Okay, so that's what the Autumnal Equinox is, but how dose it feel? What are the sensations that you associate with Fall? For me it's the sweet and tangy sip of the first apple cider of the season.  It is the demure roadside aster, and the festive goldenrod. It smells like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger floating from the kitchen. It is the crinkly dancing of leaves gliding down the road. The sun's light becomes softer, more agreeable. This is an enchanting time, the metamorphoses from Summer to Winter. I will celebrate this time by preparing a seasonal feast of pork chops with caramelized apples and onions, sweet potatoes, broccoli, fresh baked bread, and baked ginger pears with cream. I'll spend time walking outside, giving thanks for this glorious season. I'll take my camera with me so come back and look to see what's happening here in these Ozark Mountains.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Fall is here!

Greetings everyone, Autumn is my favorite season, and although it dose not officially start for another week, It certainly feels as if it has arrived. It has been very cool here in the Ozarks, and as you can see from some of today's pictures we are already seeing some color. There are also many flowers blooming, such as Golden Rod and Aster. Today I watched as a big red squirrel stored acorns from our Oak trees in the front yard. He worked very diligently, running up the tree getting an acorn, then running down the tree and selecting and digging a spot for his one little acorn. Then back up the tree, over and over again. Today was overcast and rainy as the last few days have been, so I did what a rainy day calls for. I made stock. Chicken stock, I dug carrots and onions from the garden, gathered herbs and took out two chicken carcasses I had stored in the freezer. As a nod to the season I also included some mushrooms and a cob of corn, it is still simmering as I write this. There is a cool breeze whispering through the windows, the candles are glowing and the house smells wonderful.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Welcome to Ozark Images. This is a blog dedicated to country life in the Ozarks. I will post on subjects such as gardening, cooking, weather, the seasons, nature..... you get the idea. I enjoy photography as well and will be posting beautiful pictures you may use as wallpaper. Relax and enjoy!