The actual arrival of fall is less than a week away, and while I’ve been enjoying Seattle’s extended summer (although maybe not a few of the hot days we had last week), I am really ready for fall. Fall, the early part in particular, is my favorite season. It would be better if the daylight hours weren’t gradually getting shorter, but to quote the wisdom of the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want.”

What I have been wanting lately are soups, stews and roasts. Not exactly summer fare. Pot roast doesn’t taste quite the same when it’s 80 degrees outside. Since next week is veering toward low 60s and rain, I have roast chicken, chicken soup and roast beef on my menu. Yum.
Speaking of fall, if you happen to live in the greater Seattle area and enjoy cooking even a little, you may be interested in A Place at the Table, a program sponsored by the King County Library System. 
From September through December, all sorts of classes on food and nutrition will be offered at various KCLS branch libraries. You can learn about baking, food preserving, winter gardening, healthy cooking, tea and coffee, spices, cultural food traditions, recipe and food writing and much more.
Several classes are sponsored by the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and presented by registered dietitians, including:
  • What’s for Dinner?! Thrifty, Fast, Healthy Meals
  • Comfort Food Made Healthy
  • Healthy Holiday Makeover
  • What You Need to Know about Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
  • Evaluating Diets: What Science Says about Trendy Diets like Paleo, Wheat Belly and Gluten Free
For the complete schedule and class descriptions, download the gorgeous PDF brochure and visit the program website.
KCLS is also accepting donations of non-perishable food to be donated to local food banks, “Because everybody deserves a place at the table.” That is, of course, in keeping with this year’s documentary film, “A Place at the Table.” If you are unfamiliar with the film, I’ve included the trailer below: