It's gray and damp outside, the rain drumming monotonously on the windowsill so depressingly that you want to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and stay there until spring. At times like these, you realize that the best way to escape the autumn blues is with a tried-and-true method: carbohydrates, hot tea, and aromas that fill the entire apartment with living warmth. 🍂

I pulled a sizable piece of pumpkin out of the fridge, which had been there since last week, and armed myself with a knife. Peeling it is, of course, a special kind of meditation, requiring patience and strong nerves. I managed it, groaning slightly and finally breaking free of the stubborn peel. I baked the flesh until soft, turned it into a smooth puree, mixed it with flour, eggs, and butter, and added a generous amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla.

When the oven finally began to emit that spicy pumpkin-cinnamon aroma, the house immediately became cozy, as if someone had turned on invisible radiators 🔥. I cut myself a hefty slice of still-warm pie, drizzled it with honey, and poured a huge mug of strong lemon tea. I'm sitting in the kitchen, chewing, looking at the drops on the window, and once again I'm convinced: no seasonal depression can defeat a person with a working oven and a penchant for culinary experiments 🍂.