Fall Festival Day

It is early in October, but already the nights are getting down to a chilly 40 degrees. The sumac sports a scarlet hue and cottonwoods are a burnished golden shade; the oak and maple are only fingered by color in spots waiting, hopefully, to burst into shimmering color. However, the sun does shine making the afternoons warm and perfect for all the fall festivals in the area.



This afternoon we decided to drive to Neosho for their festive fall activities on the square. We had no idea what was going on, but we decided that a short drive and walk outside would not be wasted no matter what we found. The square was dotted with the usual wood crafts, crocheted toys, baked goods, and promotional booths, but it was a lovely walk about the square just mingling with the people.



There were a few farmers’ market type booths where we found a nice stone ground, stone oven baked bread. The crust is chewy but inside is pillow soft. It was quite tasty for an organic type bread made with no sugar or salt. We choose an olive loaf to bring home.
I also picked up some dried heirloom tomatoes that are to be reconstituted in olive oil and garlic. The farmer said they made a wonderful sandwich among other uses. I am anxious to see how they work. He also had some potato beans and some Christmas beans, but I left those for another time.

One street off the square was marked History Alley. The street led to the county museum where an old Ozark cabin and one room school both exist on the property. Here the historical groups, Friends of the Library and National Park Service had booths. But the real draw was artists and craftsmen in period costume practicing their interests. A blacksmith, candle maker, broom maker, butter churner worked along side a man hewing logs by hand and another doing cast iron cooking. Gary Hansford, a weaving teacher at Crowder College, was also showing his spinning skills.

Being outside on a lovely autumn day was a treat. We returned home to apple cinnamon oatmeal cooking in the crock pot. I warmed milk and some of the olive bread, and we ended the day with the autumn scents of cinnamon, brown sugar and apples lingering in the house, our cheeks red from October sun.