equinox.

light and dark are equals today.
that's the thing.
i s'pose we'll see if that holds true,
or if one outweighs the other before the day is done.
it's officially autumn, either way,
and that's pretty flippin' expert.
i love the fall.
i think that's an innate and intuitive affection,
and all real new englanders experience it to some degree.
otherwise,
we'd move away, probably.
seriously.
up here, winter is a real sunovab!tch.
but,
before that bitter struggle gets busy being a bummer,
we've got all this autumnal excellence to enjoy.
leaves and maize and apples and pumpkins and sweaters and fires
and scarves and hallowe'en and thanksgiving.....
there's a whole lot of awesome packed into a few months,
and all of it is some elite hottness,
despite the lack of warmth in the nighttime.
real talk.
neighbors,
i've got extra blankets on the bed already,
but i'm still not trying to wear shoes until october, y'heard?
*
today is the day, duders.
the first one.
and that's a good thing.
yesterday was a day of firsts and lasts as well.
the last day of summer,
but the first day out of the box for a little baby cucch.
yep.
the cucch and his wifey are the very proud parents
of their firstborn beautiful little tiny infant baby child,
and i couldn't be happier for my bestest friend in the whole wide world.
that's something special,
and that's one giant bright spot that may just tip the balance of this equinox.
wow.
positivity?
that's a new one.
i guess i really am psyched for my peoples when fortune smiles on 'em.
*
ok.
ok, okay, okay, okaaaaayyy.
you know what you're really here for,
and i know what you want.
without any further rambling,
let's all just check the dang teleport:

BOOMFIRE.
kids,
if that doesn't give you a good feeling in your downstairs parts,
you must not be from 'round here, that's for sure.
real deal super-official big action autumnal equinox apple pie.
word the F* up.
slow cooked chunks of apple, macintosh to be precise,
simmered with apat of butterish, and a splash of lemon,
and a bigger splash of real maple syrup,
and a big ol' hunk of light brown sugar,
and a dash of vanilla,
and a whole lotta spices for a whole lotta flavor.
yuuuuuuuup.
cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and mace, in full effect,
with their affectiveness transforming that pot of fruit into a supercharged
seasonal shift in superior bakey makiness.
uh-huh.
that's no joke.
ground golden flaxseeds, and a punch of oats, to thicken it, without making it too sloppy,
and the filling is ready to chill out, set up, and taste phenomenal.
yeah!!!
i made pastry dough, y'all, yesterday.
(before plumbing problems halted any and all forward progress)
and the chilled and relaxed dough was perfect for rolling and cutting this morning.
salt and flour, too much butter, in too big of chunks (jusssssst right);
with two tablespoonfuls of vegan creamchee';
a dash of vanilla;
and ice cold water added until everything was soft and crumbly.
guys,
pastry leaves and flowers are perfect for pie tops.
the petal-edged sunflower-style rim, though?
that's expert.
and how about the stars?
yes.
there're eleven of them.
why?
because i know about what's up.
hmm?
why is it so shiny?
because the hot oven and the apples' sauce got a little melty on the last little piece
of awesomeness i added before baking.
raw sugar sprankles, scattered all over the dang thing,
to ensure a glazy glitter of caramelized goodness in every bite.
smart.
i love treats,
i love fall,
i love that i've got the day off,
i love that my buddy is staring into the bleary eyes of a helpless pink raisin
he'll love harder than anything else from now on....
very nearly everything else is kind of a hot plate of old crap,
but,
there's balance in the universe today...
...and,
there's also pie.
i think that should just about do it;
never quiet, never soft.....