The Most Delicious Smell

by Sage Lucinda BugBug

Mews, Dear Diary, This year seems to have zipped right along, and I guess it has been several months since I wrote in you. It was a long hot summer, and we were all quite busy. And although it was beautiful, I am not sad to see the summer go. Fall is here, and it is my favorite season of the year. There are so many things which say Fall, but there is one thing in particular which I wish to tell you about. It is something that happens only here where I live. And I record it here now, so that when I am old and grey, and the world has changed, I will remember that this one thing always said “Fall is here!” As you know, Dear Diary, I live in an agricultural area in Southern California. It is so beautiful here in this valley. My magic valley. There have always been orchards full of orange trees, and lemon trees, grapefruit, walnuts and avocados. And there have always been miles and miles full of fields filled with wonderful growing things, like strawberries, and broccoli, celery and onions and chili peppers. Many of these things have begun to fade away. Walnut trees no longer grow in the valley, and orchards full of orange trees are being razed and replaced with avocado trees. It makes me sad to think that one day there will be no more orange trees. Dear Diary, there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING in the world which smells like the fragrance of orange blossoms. Ah, but I digress. Orange blossoms are the Spring fragrance. And I am telling you about Fall today. There is a place just the other side of Santa Paula where there are fields and fields of chili peppers. They start harvesting them around the middle of August. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later, depending on how the weather has been, and how much the crop has grown. Then they take them to the salsa factory and cook them up into delicious salsa. Oh, Diary, it is something which you look forward to all year. And then it happens! You will be driving along home from Ventura to Fillmore, and you come up over the rise at Wells Rd. and MEOW! It hits you. That delicious smell of cooking salsa. As soon as you smell it, you think to yourself, “Ah, Fall is here!” As you continue to drive you then see patches full of large orange pumpkins. And seeing those fall colors you think of things like Indian corn and turkey and dressing. Well, maybe you don’t, but I do. Fall colors and Fall foods fill my head and leave me thinking of all the yummy things to do and to eat in the Fall. Oh, Diary, it is just too cool. One year I got so excited I invented a Pumpkin Soup. Here is the recipe, in case I forget how to make it. It is quite yummy, and filling and satisfying, and it blends all the tastes of fall which I love best. BugBug’s Pumpkin Soup 1 lg can pumpkin (or you could actually get a real pumpkin and cook it and scoop out the pulp) but really it is easier to just buy a can 1 can creamed corn 2 cans (they are small) of Ortega Chili Salsa 1 can of Ortega chopped chilis (optional) for the brave only! 1 pint whipping cream 2 cups water ˝ teaspoon salt (or to your taste) Mix all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of chopped green onions. Well, Diary my dear, it is late. I will mew again later. BugBug