autumn mornings

How are you adjusting to seeing the sunrise at approximately 6:30 a.m.? My husband and I are normally up at 5:30 a.m. and it's pitch black outside. There's only about 12 hours or so of daylight  during September it's decreasing each day.

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On cool, crisp mornings that we have been having, eating a pancakes with the flavors of fall is my favorite. For breakfast I like apple, raisin and cinnamon pancakes that are topped off with warm Granny Smith apples (Delicious Orchards $1.99/lb.) that have been ​sautéed in a little butter and sweetened with a bit of sugar, a few shakes of cinnamon and some raisins for added sweetness. I found the the above recipe in the  May 1987 issue of Bon Appétit  Magazine and have been making it ever since. I also like to serve the pancakes with Wegmans All Natural & Fully Cooked Breakfast with Sage Chicken Sausage ($3.99 for an 8 ounce package). You can also make this meal as a quick weeknight supper.

You can place the dry ingredients in a bowl the previous evening and leave your eggs on the counter overnight. As baking is considered a science, following the recipe will make for a better quality product. There are other good baking tips at the Bon Appétit website that will help you with your baking questions.