Dear October... Hand Over the Apple Cider

Dear October, I love you.

If I had a pet squirrel, I would name him after you.

But you never come to see me. So I pretend you are here by finding your favorite things.

Like the almost overcast sky of today, the sprinkling of rain, the hardly cool breeze.

Like the movie "You've Got Mail".

Like imitation maple leaves the size of quarters.

Like the bottled apple cider that reminds me of orchard picking-and-canning days.

Like black cats with yellow eyes.

Like Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Autumn means this and so much more to me. After a hot month of September, the weather is cooling down a bit, leaving me a contented celebrator of the fall season. This time of year makes me happy to be a teacher. We might not have apple orchards or pumpkin patches here in Hawaii, but we can still appreciate the marvelous month of October, albeit mostly by taste. I've been downing my fair share of hot apple cider and pumpkins spice lattes of late. Funny how memories get trapped into food. 

At any rate, I recently was able to transform a boring bottle of pasteurized apple cider into amazing liquid autumn with just a few spices.

Hot Apple Cider

Pour 2 quarts apple cider into a large stockpot. Add:

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pinch nutmeg

1 large orange, quartered with peel

Simmer for an hour or so. 

Serve in mugs with whipped cream and drizzled caramel sauce.

The result is absolutely delicious! Then send yourself a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils and watch "You've Got Mail". Instant Autumn.

Happy October to you all, and for those of you in chillier regions, keep the posts and pictures coming! I live on them <3