The Farmhouse Kitchen: Comfort Foods and Rituals

I have friends who have been counting down the days, weeks, and months until football season. Nothing else matters. In my little neck of the woods, students have moved back into dorms and Greek houses and are learning to drive around the road construction that has been unending this summer. It has been a back to school, back to routines, back to sports time for everybody I know. September signals the end of summer. Soon we’ll transition to falling leaves, pumpkin spice, and backyard fire pits. Soup season might not be here yet but promises to be right around the corner. And we’ll all start counting the days, weeks, and months until the holidays hit hard and heavy.

I’ve always loved September. I have a few “rituals” that I allow myself this month — small things that bring me joy. My list includes things such as pulling out all my sweaters (I know; it’s a ludicrous task). I buy myself a new fall-fragranced candle and wait for the “perfect” day to burn it. I buy a new set of flannel sheets (they offset the ceiling fan that blows all winter), and I change the wreath on my front door. And, since my summer menus have consisted mostly of tomato sandwiches and refrigerator pickles, I go through my pantry and make lists of food that I need to get me through soup and hot tea season. And, of course, the comfort foods — I plan for comfort foods.

Do you have some “rituals” that make you happy? Are there things you look forward to? Make yourself a list and a timeline. Weave a few small things into your existence. Don’t forget to add food to your rituals — simple, easy, comfort foods. I’m sharing a couple of possibilities for you to try. They are guaranteed kid and family friendly, easy to prepare, and taste good as leftovers for extra busy days. Enjoy! I wish you a happy fall, y’all.

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