My brother gave me a lovely bike for my birthday. While it has only been a month, I've been on it nearly every day. This gorgeous fall has been a real treat for a new rider. There are few things better than biking home from an early morning at the market with a week's worth of produce strapped to my back. I know today's wind and rain will soon become the normal state of things and I'm debating whether I'm adventurous enough to look into winterizing my bike commute. (Probably not. Though, I do run outside all winter.)

One of my courses this fall, Rare Books and Special Collections Librarianship, was a half semester course that just ended. I enjoy having some extra time during the week, but I miss the class.  We met in the the University of Illinois Rare Book & Manuscript Library and had the opportunity to view items like Shakespeare's First Folio, Beatrix Potter early editions, and even the first few versions of the Blade Runner screenplay. (Trivia: The term "replicant" only appears in later drafts). Aside from observing neat old documents, I also learned a lot about special collections security issues, preservation, and acquisitions. One of the other perks was enjoying the vast halls of old card catalogs in the main library building. 

Chicago news reports sounded the alarm last week that orchards are running out of apples. We have plenty down in central Illinois. If you are able to get your hands on some, I suggest you bake this apple cake some evening this week.  It is even better the day after it bakes and it makes a wonderful breakfast with a dollop of plain yogurt. 

I followed this recipe from sixoneseven, though I reduced the sugars to half a cup each of white and brown and I omitted the glaze.