I love to collect fall leaves and keep them, all moist and cold, in an old cake pan on the sideboard. They slowly dry, but keep their brilliant colors and remind me, in the warm house, of the wildness just outside our dining room window. The wind strips the crabapples of their bright red leaves, and we see then, tiny ruby crabapples on the gray, bare branches. Birds fill the trees while the crabapples are still fresh and we love to see them rioting and giddy!
Today though, despite a forecast for snow on Sunday (it figures, we're going to the ballgame!), the crabapples are covered in magenta blossoms and people are dining on the patio in the sun. The air is champagne, with a gentle breeze of pine and lilac. I'm enchanted again to realize that this large city is filled with the perfume of lilac! Large bushes that are plain and green all year long, have exploded with pink and purple and white blossoms! Their secret glory will last a short time but we are blessed as they transform this valley into paradise!
Today, I slid my fall leaves into the trash and felt only the slightest pang. I LOVE the fall and winter, the potatoes and shallots, the snow and rain blowing sideways! The kids marching out the door suited up for a day of skiing and hot chocolate, rosy faces and bitter fingers, brie and salami, pears and tangerines! I would miss my leaves so much more if I had had to part with them even a month ago! Now though, I've got mountains of strawberries in the refrigerator and the promise of watermelon and corn and cherries! The tulips are blooming and wheee! Spring is here!
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