Three Signs of Fall from California

 

"California just doesn't have a change of seasons."  That's what my mom always said when Fall rolled around.  She spent her youth in New York City and then Michigan before the family headed to California. What she missed most about the East Coast was the change of seasons.  Because she said this only in October, not in February or July, I don't think she really missed all the drastic change of seasons in the East; like below freezing temperatures, winter snow storms, and oppressive summer humidity.  She missed that part that brought about the colors of Fall.

The photo above is the Napa Valley in California in October.  It looks like the season is changing, doesn't it?  Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area there are leaves in various shades of yellow, orange and red. In Napa Valley, not only do the trees change colors but also the vines change to various shades of the same Fall color palate.  When I'm not in Italy or France, I live in a suburb between the Napa Valley and San Francisco.  In my California-biased opinion, Autumn in the Bay Area is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Besides the changing leaves, the weather cools down only a bit. We still get a few warm days sprinkled in between the cool ones and the fewer rainy ones.

Here are my 3 signs of fall from the Bay Area in California:

1. Scents of this years' newborn wines fill the air

The Wine Country air is full of scents from grapes being harvested - I take a drive or a weekend up to and through the valleys of Napa and Sonoma. My windows are down, just to smell wine in the air.  Scents of crushed grapes and the beginnings of the wine fill the air and my car. 

2. Getting excited about lemons

Most people think of pumpkins, squash, mushrooms, braises, and hearty foods, and I do, too.  What I'm really getting excited about, though, are lemons.  "My" Meyer Lemon tree is in full bloom, and the first crop are always ready in November.  Last year we had over 600 lemons from the tree, and it seems there are even more this year. It's actually my aunt's lemon tree, but I'm in charge of using up the lemons. Lemon tarts, a Delizie al Limone, some type of Lemon Buche de Noel, loads of limoncello, and more are coming soon.

3. My down comforter for lazy Sundays

When fall comes, my down "blankie" reappears from its summer retreat in the chest. It keeps me warm on lazy Sundays while I'm watching football and/or movies, and there's usually a pot of mom's meat ragu simmering on the stove. Every year since I was a teenager, someone has snapped a picture of me curled under my blanket on a lazy Sunday. These lazy days are such a treat when the fall months roll around. By winter I get cabin fever.  That's when the travel planning starts.

 

I saw this post on Bleeding Espresso and said, "Hey, I'm a she, who blogs.  I want to join in the fun!"  This is my entry into the She Who Blogs Three Signs O' Fall & a Photo Contest. There are 4 prizes - each a $25 Amazon gift certificate.  If you're a she who blogs, you should enter, too.  The deadline is November 13, 2010.

To read more about the Napa Valley with tips on the best wineries, local dining favorites and more fall photos, check out my guest post for The Travel Belles: Girls Getaway - Destination Napa Valley.

  

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What are the signs of Fall for you?

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Related Posts:

Meyer Lemon Tart with Lightened Lemon Cream

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake

Crimini Mushroom Ravioli with Lemon Cream Sauce

When Life Gives You Lemons - Make Lemon Granita

Slow-Cooked Meat Ragu to Honor Mom

The Dish from Rome - Braised Oxtail (La Coda alla Vaccinara)

Quince Crostata for an Italian-American Thanksgiving

 

Comments

[Julie ~ jbulie's blog]

Good luck! I like your picture because it makes me want to amble. :)

Julie

[Paula]

Damn - I MUST start a blog so I can have more contests to enter!!
btw - Natives of California can feel fall, even if strangers/immigrants can't.

[Barbara]

Beautiful picture of Fall in California! It is one of my favorite seasons as well! And, growing up in San Francisco, I did not see much in the way of Fall colors but after moving to the South Bay, I see evidence of it everywhere and it is gorgeous!
BTW - how do you get your Meyer lemon tree to produce so much? I have one as well, but it's production is not very good, despite looking very healthy!!!
Happy Fall!
~Barbara

[Kathy]

Barbara - Thanks for the comment and compliment. About the Meyer Lemon tree, I talked to my aunt as it's her tree and she tends to it. I just get to reap the benefits! :-) Here are the few important things that she does that helps it to bear much fruit:

It's in a southern facing spot, so it gets sun all day long.

She (and I) pick all the lemons when they are ready, even if they're too much to use all at once. We juice some and give some away. We do this to encourage more growth throughout the season, and possibly future seasons (not sure how scientific this is, though).

She doesn't prune the tree when it's dormant, and she fertilizes faithfully per the instructions on her fertilizer bag.

She gives it a lot of TLC, picking away dead and withered leaves, blossoms and branches almost daily.

I hope this helps you with your Meyer Lemon tree. Happy Fall to you, too!!

[Jozee]

Growing up in New York and Michigan, I thought that the California change of seasons colors did not exist. Well, I am now going to eat my words. This gorgeous photo of the Napa Valley region has made me change my mind.

[Mental Mosaic]

I like all the sights and scents your post suggests - very autumnal. Lovely photo, too!

I found your blog via the She Who Blogs contest, which I also found through Bleeding Espresso!

Nice to meet you! :)
Tui

[Michelle]

Yay for down comforters, new wine, and lemons -- I love waiting on the mandarin oranges from our trees as well. Gorgeous photo too; best of luck!

[Simona]

Your photo reminds me of the entrance of Mills College, in Oakland. The leaves of those trees turning are a sign of fall for me. Another one is pumpkins. The third one is the first rain of the season.