Count
Chocula is back.
Spotted
my first boxes of the year on Wednesday, and gleefully placed
one in my cart. Before the next few weeks pass there will be more
purchased.
It’s
one of my seasonal treats. These are the things that are limited
in time frame, but have become an annual pleasure, almost a guilty
pleasure.
Now…
before we tread too far down the road, let’s get this out of the
way… everyone loves pumpkin everything. There, I said it. Ok?
It’s not true, of course. But most of the people that are against
pumpkin flavored everything fall into the same group of people
that have gaskets blowing out when Santa arrives around Labor
Day. In other words… could be a valid point, not really worth
the energy to fight it, so let’s just go with the flow and enjoy.
(Besides, I love pumpkin whoopie pies, though that isn’t where
I plan on heading. Anyway… pumpkin flavoring… love it… mass rejoicing…
back to the essay.)
So,
Count Chocula has returned for the annual Autumn-Halloween-tis-the-season
run. Awesome. And it has me wondering…
What
are some of your favorite seasonal treats?
The
thought extends beyond specific items. I’m mentioning Count Chocula.
Someone else might chime in with a Cadbury Creme Egg. But what
about seasonal locations?
Over
my lifetime, one of the true joys of summer has involved summer
ice cream shacks. Usually opening in the spring and closing in
the fall, these places are true treasure chests of memories.
Quite
often, my wife and I purchase our Christmas tree at a local tree
farm near our home. While not a strict annual tradition for us,
and not nearly a guilty pleasure, we on many occasions have joined
other families in the journey that takes place in the days after
Thanksgiving.
Over
the years, the New York State Fair has been an awesome part of
wrapping up the summer for me. And I am 100% certain many people
across the country (and in many other countries) can attest to
the joys of state and regional fairs.
These
are all seasonal treats that I have in mind. Basically, anything
that comes around at certain times of the year… maybe a limited
clock on availability… maybe a limited calendar on when you might
use it. Could be a single item. Could be a type of place. Could
be a family tradition.
In
our house, a generation ago in days of my youth, we were all involved
in a variety of sports. Many of these seasonal items would get
swept into the activities. Ice cream after a baseball game… hot
chocolate after soccer.
Funny
enough, there are some things I never thought too much about as
seasonal treats when I was growing up. But now that I’m older
and find myself traveling a bit more often—say frequent trips
to my old hometown—seasonal ideas indeed.
Chowder
and clam cakes might come to mind, and they certainly do. But
several great shops offering that delightful combination are open
year-round. Ahh… but heading toward the water, there are some
places that are perfect destinations in the summer months.
Certain
times of the year… certain weather… triggers specific thoughts.
In so many ways, they are not just joys of the season, but comforts
of the season.
In
a few weeks, I’ll be breaking open the recipe book to find my
favorite uses for apples. Pies… cobblers… crisps… and dear lord
where are the pans and mixing bowls? I can guarantee you that
I’ll have gingerbread in the oven soon enough. For me… and for
my lovely wife… it seems as though the fall provides some of our
most favorite seasonal treats.
For
now, I need to put together a shopping list. I need some supplies
before breaking out those recipes. I need another box of Count
Chocula. Can you think of anything else I should add?