Falling for the end of summer

Enjoying the late blooming flowers.

   The

        last

           vestiges

                      of 

                         summer.

         
             
                  
                    Cooler

                           nights.        
                 
               


                         






The sun sets earlier, the day ends.



Let's set the mood with some soulful music from the fabulous Nnenna Freelon.  The end of summer, the end of a love. The Meaning of the Blues.

And now, some chardonnay.

Calling All Angels. Round and full, it marries well with the creaminess of scalloped potatoes.

From Marion Morash, The Victory Garden Cookbook, a reliable source for preparing vegetables - from basic methods to accompanying sauces - and classic recipes, like this one.

Comfort food for the coming months.

Naomi Morash's Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes

"When I got married, Russ said that he hoped someday I could make scalloped potatoes like his mother's. She  always cooks them in a deep-dish casserole and lets the flour thicken the sauce." ... Marian Morash 2 1/2 lbs. boiling potatoes 1 large onion 1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese salt & freshly ground pepper 4 TB flour 6-8 TB butter 3-4 cups milk Peel (if you wish) and slice the potatoes into 1/8 inch pieces, drop into cold water. Peel and thinly slice the onion.  Roughly grate the cheese.  Butter a deep 2 1/2 - 3 quart casserole dish.  Dry the potatoes. Divide the ingredients into fourths and in the following order, layer the potatoes and season with salt and pepper, and the onion slices, sprinkle with flour, dot with butter, top with cheese. Repeat this layering three times. Pour over just enough milk to cover the potatoes. Cover the dish and place in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes or until the milk comes to the boil and bubbles.  Remove the cover and bake for another 30-45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the top is browned. Serves 6-8, From The Victory Garden Cookbook, Marian Morash, Knopf, 1982.