Waking up for Sunday services this morning, I noticed the cool wind.  It reminds me that things are changing all around us.  A new school year has started, fall games of football and soccer flood the local sports fields, and coffee not only perks up our minds, but  warms our bodies too.

Changes are in the wind.

Listening to my pastor speak about what "Rallly Sunday" means to him, it occured to me that I always treat this time of year as a new beginning.  Its a way to renew things and not just look at the fall as a precursor to snow, but a season to finish off the year right.

Back home, the rain made a perfect backdrop to the dulldrums of kitchen duty.  While homework was started and the ever-present buzzing of the tile cutter was finishing our home project, I began the busy work of creating a Sunday dinner.  Setting the oven to 275F, I trimmed a whopper of a roast with rosemary and minced garlic.  Glazed baby carrots and thyme roasted potatoes were added to the roasting pan.  A loaf of peasant bread was covered in foil for the last minute warming before dinner and fresh berries were blended in a bowl for dessert.

While the dinner roasted, I concentrated on another family ritual: laundry.  After it was washed, dried and folded for each member of the family,  I ended up running an errand to the tile store for 1 last piece of slate.   Nearly 5 hours later, I rounded up the entire family.  It was time to eat.

35 minutes and a heated discussion regarding NFL prospects later, our family dinner was over.  As I sorted the dishes for the dishwasher and put away the left overs, it occurred to me that there's a lot of work that goes into creating a family meal.  Especially when it's over in a mere 35 minutes!  But whether prepared for your family or special loved ones, a meal can create the perfect setting for memorable conversation, not to mention laughter!   That's why I think its truly a labor of love.

Changes are in the wind.  Goodbye summer and welcome fall!  Let's look forward to the new beginnings of this season.  A time to both huddle in the bleachers and move indoors, creating wonderful meals for great friends and family.