fall – The Oracle

Harvesting Autumn Flavors: Fall Ingredients Guide

Yueun Hong, Sports Editor — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:30:55 +0000

Many people have envisioned themselves as professional chefs, tossing their wok above a wildly burning fire. Yet some are still fighting with hot oil while trying to cook a sunny-side-up egg. Fall is the perfect time to try out new recipes that one has saved on Instagram but never been looked back on. The fall season highlights a variety of ingredients perfect for new recipes, including pumpkin, winter squash, cauliflower, cranberries and apple. These ingredients can be found at local farmers markets and grocery stores.

Pumpkin Spice

Irene Hong

Everyone has heard of pumpkin-spice lattes, but what exactly goes in them? Pumpkin spice is a spice mix comprising ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice. Though pumpkin spice does not contain pumpkin, it is commonly found in pumpkin pies because it adds warmth and depth of flavor.

Apples

Irene Hong

Although apples are picked all year long, they are ripest during fall. Of the thousands of apple varieties, Fuji apples are most commonly used in baking due to their lemony, honey-like flavor and crisp, firm texture. Golden Delicious apples are also known for their mellow but sweet flavor. Many chefs use a variety of apples to enrich taste and texture.

Brussels Sprouts

Irene Hong

Brussels sprouts are seen year round but best for harvesting during the fall season. For those who enjoy eating brussels sprouts, they can be sauteed, roasted or baked with garlic and butter. Not only are they delicious, they are a good source of vitamins K and C.

Pumpkin

Irene Hong

Pumpkins are seen everywhere during fall, in front of porches and doorways or as dessert after big Thanksgiving meals. Pumpkins are commonly used in pies, bread loaves, soups and tarts. While some like to use whole pumpkins for freshness, many prefer to use pumpkin puree for a sweeter and creamier result.

Raphael’s Choice: “Over the Garden Wall” (2014)

Raphael Semeria, Managing Editor — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:18:27 +0000

Created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network, “Over the Garden Wall” is the perfect show to binge-watch with friends and family to embrace the fall spirit without becoming frightened. The 10-episode animated miniseries follows two step-brothers who encounter a variety of magical creatures on their journey home. Inspired by traditional folk art, children’s books from the 1800s and traditional American music from the early 1900s, McHale incorporates a sense of spookiness and mystery throughout the show. Additionally, he successfully encapsulates the fall aesthetic via various elements such as looming forest trees and vignetted frames, which, combined with an eerie animation style, bring you into a whimsical fall mood. The miniseries contains 10-minute episodes where the brothers go through different adventures in the forest, stumbling upon countless enchanted creatures and various settings within the forest itself. Despite each episode revolving around the new characters they meet and their interesting stories, the overarching storyline is connected through themes such as death, prejudice and determination, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer following the end of the series. Although intense, the themes are up to reader interpretation and are incorporated within the story without making it scary in any way. “Over the Garden Wall” has shown a lot of popularity among viewers following its release on Hulu in Nov. 2014. According to Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of professional critics and 97% of audience members gave the show a positive review. Overall, “Over the Garden Wall” is a beautiful and captivating show for anyone and everyone to watch over the fall season.

Boys Water Polo Preview

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:15:41 +0000

The boys varsity water polo team has been preparing hard for their upcoming season. They started the season by winning 17-4 against Half Moon Bay before losing 12-8 to Willow Glen. The team has been optimistic about their upcoming season.

The team is captained by seniors Devan Singh and Batu Buyukbezci, who are hopeful for the future of the team. “With the team that has been practicing and playing together, things team has also been practicing hardthroughout the offseason. “Starting on the first day ofschool we had an hour of practice before school and two hours in the afternoon, so it’s been pretty intense,” Singh said.

Buyukbezci also emphasized having an audience to perform in front of. “Just come out to the games,” he said. “They’re going to be super fun now that we have a really good team.”

DIY Halloween Pinterest crafts bring festivity: candle holders

lizakolbasov — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 16:14:42 +0000

Written by Liza Kolbasov

We all know the feeling: scrolling through your Pinterest feed, looking at the beautiful photos of flawless do-it-yourself (DIY) projects that could make your room look like an aesthetic masterpiece.

When I got the chance to make one of these fabled crafts, I jumped at it. Finally, motivation to dig up my “Fall DIY” board and, gasp, actually make something from it. One Michael’s trip later, I had three jars, some glue and a bag of fake leaves. However, my leaves were flat-out refusing to stick to the jar. I tried everything from tape, glue on the bottom and even glue on the top—nothing seemed to help. I had done something wrong (or the Pinterest people had made around 10,000 jars before choosing these specific ones).

To my surprise, when I woke up the next morning, I was met with a fairly tolerable sight. True, the leaves weren’t exactly arranged in the most artistic way, but the thick coat of glue had dried nicely and turned clear: the leaves were stuck permanently to their places. A piece of ribbon around the edge and a candle inside finished it off; my candle holders actually resembled the models.

Although I will probably never be able to make a perfect craft like the ones on Pinterest, I learned that it’s important to take those examples with a grain of salt, have fun and not be too obsessed with perfection. Perhaps the whole point wasn’t the ideal aesthetic, any- way. Perhaps the point was to have fun making (and messing up) a craft with friends.

Essential Items this Fall

bridgettegong — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 19:16:22 +0000

Fall Essentials (non clothing)

Bridgette Gong

Lifestyle

WC: 349

Fall is right around the corner, and while everyone knows that the perfect oversized sweater is necessary to get you through the dim and frigid months, there are also several other non-clothing items that could be great company as the leaves change color and make fall the best season of the year.

A nice big mug. A warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea is the perfect remedy to beat any chilly temperatures that await. If you have a yummy collection of holiday drink mixes (whether it be peppermint hot chocolate or apple spice tea), a quality mug will be the perfect companion for a cozy fall morning, afternoon or evening.
Blankets. On the coldest, windiest, and rainiest of days, soft blankets will be there to keep you comfortable. From snuggies to comforters, having a soft, warm blanket at hand will keep you cozy.
The perfect playlist. Capture those fall vibes with a playlist full of your favorite moody songs to have the perfect fall.
A good book. Or Netflix, if you don’t like to read. Sometimes, the perfect night just means a night of binge watching/reading your favorite series.
Toasty fireplaces—no further explanation necessary.
Traditions. Whether this means carrying on timeless traditions of creating new ones, traditions will allow you to make the most of your time with friends and family. It will not only build up a collection of quality memories, but will also give you something to look forward to at any point throughout the year.
Candles. Use them to create the perfect lighting and fill the air with smells of fall.
Food. Not gonna lie, fall foods are truly what complete the experience: pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, fresh-out-the-oven cookies, peppermint bark, whipped cream, s’mores —you name it. Try out some new recipes for fun, or maybe buy a couple of baking tins and whisks if necessary. Tis’ the season to vamp up your fridge! The comfort foods of fall and the holiday of season are one of a kind. They will make your day—every day.

Recounting memorable autumns on the east coast

gtramack — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 17:31:24 +0000

Written by Grace Tramack

After living in California for almost four years now, I can honestly say that one of the things I miss most about New Hampshire is fall. Not the 70-degree, barely cool enough for jeans and still-looks-like summer kind of fall that Palo Alto has. Sure my friends on the East Coast are jealous of our beautiful year-round weather, but to me, nothing beats the crisp sweater weather of New England.

First of all, no season that Palo Alto has experienced can compare to the beauty of a New England fall—right around the beginning of October, the leaves yellow, then orange, and finally a deep red. They are so beautiful and important to a New England fall that when my grandparents heard that the trees don’t really change color in Palo Alto, they sent us a bag of New Hampshire leaves (true story).

Also, it’s cool enough to wear big, comfy sweaters and fuzzy socks without getting too hot at any part of the day. Sure, it’s chilly in the morning but by noon it’s the perfect temperature for your favorite soft clothes.

Weather and leaves aside, where in Palo Alto can you go to participate in real fall activities? My first fall in California, I remember missing apple-picking with my family, fields of sun flowers and piles of pumpkins. Maybe people who have never enjoyed fall as much as I do think that this all seems boring and a little (okay, a lot) cheesy, but to me it is one of the greatest traditions at a place I call home.

One of my absolute favorite things about fall is the amazing food. As much as pumpkin spice flavored products are popular in California, they are a fall necessity in New Hampshire. Pumpkin muffins from Dunkin Donuts are my personal favorites. Fall is also the season for apple cider with fresh maple sugar. I can honestly say that nothing beats the feeling of coming inside after a chilly day to a cup of hot apple cider and snuggling into a blanket by the fire. My dad used to do “Soup Sundays,” too, when we would make different kinds of soup, watch the Patriots game and have family dinner. So many of my memories from fall are spending time with friends and family, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Okay, so maybe I’m a bit of a romanticist when it comes to fall in New England. And it’s not that I don’t love fall in California too, but my sentiment for both have been established for very different reasons. A Palo Alto fall may not have brilliantly colored trees or fields of apples and sun flowers, but at least it’s not followed by a blizzard- filled winter. Nevertheless, I miss brightly colored trees, apple picking and the distinct fall smell. I miss pumpkin muffins, cozy sweaters every day and apple cider. Most of all, I miss the times I spent with friends and family, enjoying the beautiful fall days in New England.

Ways to spend your three-day weekend: Sunday, November 13

carolynkuimelis — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 17:43:56 +0000

Written by Carolyn Kuimelis

10 a.m. Bake pumpkin muffins

1 p.m. Walk in Foothills Park

4 p.m. Ice Skate at Winter Lodge

7 p.m. Eat dinner at Peninsula Creamery

Who says pumpkin fun has to end after Oct. 31? Start your day off right by baking some festive pumpkin muffins. They’re a perfect treat to share with your friends and family, although I wouldn’t blame you if you ate them all yourself. After you’re fueled up from breakfast, Foothills Park is the perfect location to enjoy the beauty of fall. Only a 10 minute drive away, Foothills Park has it all. Soak in some sun by the lake, or challenge yourself with a rigorous hike. Next, head to the Winter Lodge. Fall is the perfect time to break out those ice skates and enjoy the Winter Lodge’s outdoor rink before the weather gets too cold. End your day with dinner at Peninsula Creamery for some good ol’ fashioned comfort food.

Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pumpkin pure?e
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375?. Sift together the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda. Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but be careful not to mix too thoroughly. Line muffin tins with paper cups and fill them ? full. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

CCS Updates: Girls’ Golf

mayarapoport — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 17:41:12 +0000

The girls’ golf team had a strong season this year, finishing third place in league with a record of 6-3-1 and placing tenth at Central Coast Section (CCS). Coach Chris Redfield, who has been coaching the girls’ golf team since 2011, believes that this year, it was important for the team to make CCS. “It [was] nice [to qualify] because it’s a sort of validation that you’ve had a really good season,” Redfield said.

To qualify for CCS, the team had to score in a league tournament, or be picked based on their scores from other competitions. Senior Margaret Redfield, a four-year member of the golf team, said the team had been practicing extensively for its league tournaments. “We have contests during practice to simulate high-pressure situations for our matches and tournaments,” Redfield said. Coach Redfield believes that the work the players have put in throughout the season prepared them for CCS. “You can’t plan to win, you just have to play your best,” Redfield said. Junior Lydia Tsai thinks that practicing everyday has helped her prepare for competitions. “It’s consistent preparation that gets you ready,” Tsai said.

According to senior Lucy Lamb, although playing golf is fun, preparation for reputed titles like CCS can be stressful. “It’s a lot of pressure to have a score set to yourself but it’s also nice because you feel like a big part of the team,” Lamb said. Despite the pressure of tournaments and qualifying for CCS, the girls’ support for each other kept the team going. “We encouraged each other and did not get down on ourselves afterward,” Tsai wrote in an email. “I loved seeing my teammates during the round on different holes and waving frantically to them and pumping each other up.”

Monthly Highlights: Students explore Fall Club Fair

bridgettegong — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 16:10:56 +0000

Written by Bridgette Gong

“One of my favorite things about the club fair is that I get to see everyone come around and hear about everyone is passionate about. There is such a sense of community with a variety of different interests and it’s great that there are so many options available.” -Dana Zhao 12

“I really enjoy the club fair because of the music and how there are a bunch of cool clubs and I can learn so many new unexpected things.For all those classes I am interested in but don’t have time to take, there are still clubs that suite my needs.” -Mackenzie Mosier 10

“I just love getting everyone excited and advertising and I love seeing people having a good time. For new students at gunn, the club fair is such a good way to get people excited and initiated into something they might love to be a part of.” Henry Alper 11

“I’m really looking forward to seeing other people discovering their interests, especially for the freshmen and new students out there!” Andres Goldschmidt 12

“What makes the club fair a great event is the sense of community and seeing all the super different clubs”- Ian Mungai 12

“I like how there’s a lot of space and freedom i think there’s such a variety which I really appreciate because you never know what you’re going to find.” -Zoe Lo 9

Fall Sports Updates: Girls’ Golf

Helen Nguyen — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:43:51 +0000

Written by Helen Nguyen, News Editor

With the new season of fall sports having arrived, the girls’ golf team is poised for a strong run. Junior Lydia Tsai is certain that the hard work they put in over the summer will produce successful results. “It’s normal for athletes to have ups and downs, especially toward the beginning of the season, but everyone’s worked hard over the summer, and I’m confident it will pay off,” Tsai said.

Tsai believes that each team member brings individual asset to the team, leading the team to be strong this year. “Many of the teams we play have one strong player and mediocre players down the line,” Tsai said. “I’m so proud of our team for being strong down to our very last player.” Tsai is also looking forward to another season of spending time and bonding with her team.

Photos courtesy of Margaret Redfield

“Practices, van rides and matches are so much fun—being with the team never fails to make me smile.” —junior Lydia Tsai