Cooler temperatures, an earthy freshness in the air, mornings that start a little later and afternoons that darken into night a bit sooner: Autumn. Harvest time.

In some ways, it’s a season for things to quiet down after the summer, but really it’s just a time when activities change. There’s still plenty to do and, as we take our jackets and boots out of storage, it’s good to be grateful for what every season brings. Autumn mornings might give a little more time to start your day, varied weather has us bundling for unexpected changes in conditions (it’s always good to have a sturdy raincoat on hand), the incoming fall swell means paddling into bigger waves and longer evenings invite more cozy dinners with friends.

And, of course, this is the season of abundance and Thanksgiving. Creamy chowders, roasts in warming spices, hearty yields of root vegetables, foraged mushrooms and cynamokka berries, delicious collards and, lucky us, what the ocean gives up; out of the many things we have to be grateful for, the land and sea providing for us through every season is one we are absolutely indebted to.

The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday comes after the first week of October this year (Thanksgiving Monday is October 8). Us West Coasters are lucky to be nourished by our environment in so many ways—food being just one of them—and we love having you here to celebrate it with us!