September is here!  And what a bountiful season in Amish farmland.

   If you’re anywhere near the backroads in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, stop by an orchard for apples and peaches. (FYI: Fuji and Pink Lady apples continue to be harvested through November.) You and your family may also be invited to take a hayride around the farm. There is much fun to be had, including the welcome sights and smells of autumn–fall decorations on front porches and the scent of woodsmoke . . . and oh, the pretty pumpkins and gourds of all sizes and colors come October!

   If you have the chance to watch cider and/or applesauce being made the Amish way, definitely do so. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. What a feeling!

   If you’re like me, you are thinking ahead to the next DIY project, such as making autumn wreaths or candle rings, or perhaps even starting a new scrapbook (the old-school way with real cut-outs, designs, and actual photos). I also like to map out my personal goals in the fall, planning as well when to step away from work and spend more time with family and friends. I like to be organized but with wiggle room, since life is predictably unpredictable, as we all know.

  For me, September feels like a turning of the proverbial page, offering more time to read, learn new things, study God’s Word, and cook from scratch.  My very favorite cooler-weather soups and stews come back into heavy rotation (some delicious options start on page 75 of The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition) . . . including Ella Mae Zook’s “Wise Woman’s” Soup.

   There is also the exciting release of the paperback edition of The Christmas House,  which you can preorder and receive a 40% discount from my friends at Baker Book House through tomorrow…with free US shipping! Or after tomorrow, you can receive a 30% discount with free US shipping. Just think of filling Christmas stockings with this delightful Amish story set in beloved Hickory Hollow!

   Back-to-school doesn’t come in September in every city, as some school districts, like ours, begin in mid-August, getting a head start in case of snow days later in the year.  But parents and grandparents relish spending time with their school-age youngsters, purchasing school supplies and new clothes for that momentous first day, and providing encouragement and prayer.

   The seasonal shift to autumn sweaters and scarves is always something I look forward to, especially following this summer’s blazing-hot weather for weeks on end. Taking long walks and occasional hikes in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains with my husband, Dave, is more invigorating during the fall months than any other season. Then, topping off the day with a slow-cooking stew and potato rolls for dinner.

   I refuse to think about welcoming Charlie Brown’s “Great Pumpkin” or ponder what pies to bake for Thanksgiving–not just yet! September is its own very special month, a somewhat quiet thirty days before the steady flow of holidays, which I also happily anticipate. But doesn’t each month and season have its unique beauty and life lessons to embrace?

   Wishing you good health and abundant joy,

   Beverly Lewis