Author: Shelley Rice
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When the Wind Turns
The following afternoon, the wind had picked up enough to send leaves skittering across the cottage porch. Emma had already swept them away once that morning, but looking through the kitchen window now, she could see another small collection gathering near the front steps. A few had blown beneath the rocking chair, while others had…
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Somewhere Between Autumn and Winter
The cooler air has finally settled in, and October is beginning to look a little different than it did just a week or two ago. I’ve noticed it most in the trees. Their branches are becoming easier to see, and the leaves that once filled them are now scattered across the grass, gathering along driveways…
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Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 45–55 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients Instructions 1. Sauté the vegetables. Heat the avocado oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. 2. Add the garlic and herbs. Stir in…
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The First Sweater Morning
Emma knew it was going to be a sweater morning before she even got out of bed. The bedroom was cooler than usual, and when she pulled back the curtains, a thin layer of mist hung over the water beyond the cottage. The grass was wet with dew, and the hydrangeas beside the porch had…
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Baked Campari Tomato & Feta Dip
Some of my favorite recipes are the ones that require very little preparation but turn out delicious. This baked Campari tomato and feta dip is one of those recipes I love having on hand, especially when I want something warm and homemade without spending much time in the kitchen. I like serving it with Flora’s…
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From My Writing Desk
I can’t believe I’m already sitting down to write my October letter. September seemed to go by especially fast this year. Maybe because I spent so much of it waiting for those first cooler mornings to finally show up. They have now, and lately I’ve been waking up to dew covering the grass and temperatures…
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Where the Sea Meets September
Emma woke before her alarm. For a few seconds, she stayed beneath the covers with her eyes closed, listening to the sounds coming from the street below. A delivery truck rumbled to a stop somewhere near the corner, followed by the clatter of something being rolled across the sidewalk. A car horn sounded farther away,…
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When Autumn Came Knocking
Autumn came knocking one September day,while Summer was nowhere near packed away.She tapped on the windows and rattled the trees,then sailed through the yard on a cool little breeze. “Not yet,” Summer called. “You’re early, I think!My roses are blooming. My skies are still pink.The afternoons linger, the crickets still sing,and I haven’t packed up…
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When the Morning Begins to Change
I noticed it when I stepped outside this morning. The air felt different against my skin. It wasn’t cold enough for a sweater, but there was a coolness to it that hadn’t been there a few weeks ago. The kind that makes you linger outside a little longer instead of immediately thinking about how warm…
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Maple Dijon Harvest Chicken Bowl with Creamy Greek Yogurt Sauce
Warm roasted butternut squash, tender chicken, crisp Brussels sprouts, sweet apple, and a creamy maple Dijon sauce come together in this easy protein-packed fall bowl. It has all those cozy autumn flavors while still feeling fresh and light enough for early fall. Even better, everything can be prepped ahead for a quick lunch or weeknight…