Autumn Delights

Saturday was a sunny, cool, crisp fall day with leaves falling elegantly to the ground. Of course, we couldn't say inside, so we rode our bikes to a small local Pumpkin Festival. It was at a local farm market that sells bedding plants, herbs, and of course, in the fall, pumpkins. Slovenia does not "do" Halloween, so it was all about the harvest of the pumpkin crop. There was nothing for sale except what they normally sold (pumpkins, herbs, plants, etc). They had all kinds of free food made from different kinds of pumpkins. There was a pumpkin slaw made with shredded pumpkin, garlic and pumpkin oil. It looked delicious, but was gone by the time we got there. They were roasting slices of pumpkin, onion and tomatoes and serving them with pumpkin oil drizzled on top. So yummy. Pumpkin Oil is a local Slovene product. Picture olive oil, but much darker with a nutty taste. It is served with bread or drizzled over salads and is definitely my favorite find here so far. The kids could buy a pumpkin (only 2 euro) and carve/decorate it and they even had a table where Alex made a doll out of corn. It was so rustic and non-comercial, it was literally a breath of fresh air. To top it off we found the local moste (pronouced mosht) which is only found this time of year. It is the wine that has just begun to ferment, but is very sweet. It tastes to me like the sparking apple juice we get for the kids on special holidays, but with just a tad (1.5%) alcohol. It is sold in large plastic 3 liter containers that they fill up, literally while you wait, from a giant tapped keg in the grocery store. Definitely a new experience for us. This all made for a beautiful autumn day filled with all the sights, smells and tastes of Fall. How I love the changes in seasons (not just in the physical sense, but in the spiritual as well.) I know I occasionaly need to shed some old leaves and move into a new season in my life spiritually. I can get so comfortable and stagnant after a bit of time. I love that our God is never leaving us where we are, but taking us into a new season, even when it stretches us beyond where we think we can go. I pray you are enjoying the season He has you in right now!