Here on Long Island, Halloween, Fall and even Christmas sneak up on you when you innocently walk into the supermarket with shorts on looking for a nice set of baby back ribs to barbeque. One day it's hot, the next day you're thinking about putting away the patio furniture (but not the grill--that stays out).
Change of season also stokes the urge to make something in the house that will not only warm the kitchen up, but leave the lingering smell of a home-cooked meal. I love walking through the door after being outside and greeted with the smell of bread just out of the oven or apple pie.
I like the cold weather, so even the slightest hint of fall and winter stirs my urge to make some traditional Greek dishes, like the Youvetsi shown in its slow cooker right before I served it up. I used lamb shanks for my dish, though you can use beef as well. The meat sits on a delicious bed of orzo and if cooked right usually falls right off the bone or melts in your mouth.
My dog, Bella, stuck around the kitchen all day, trying to sniff out what was cookin'. I gave in and gave her a couple of pieces of the lamb and I am happy to report that I still have my fingers, though it was a close call.
Happy Fall, everyone!