Happy Thanksgiving...

Following our yearly traditions,  Anna will make a lovely Turkey Dinner, and I will make Pies and the cranberry sauce,   and decorate the tables.  The meal is pretty much the same... the pies too.  If we haven't yet celebrated Edy's Birthday together,  I make a cake for her.... And of course,  there will be a special cocktail... inspired by the season.   The tables are a bit different every year,  but similar in that I always use Pumpkins and Natural decor,  using Fall colors along with whatever might inspire me that particular year... and always a bit of sparkle.  This year we will be a large group of family and a few friends. It will be a special day spent together ,  thankful for all that we have,  and thankful for another year with Mom... the matriarch of the family...

Piaceri Autunnali... Autumn Pleasures..

It's that time of year... everyone thinking of Pumpkins and Squashes,  Colorful Leaves,   and cool breezes.  Here we can only dream of cool breezes and brightly hued trees... it has been a very hot early Fall,  but happily,  it cooled of just in time for Halloween. I'm in full Autumn mode in the kitchen,  making old favorites,  and thinking up new seasonal recipes...

Ciao Autunno...Hello Fall...

My yearly tradition of baking a Pie on the first day of Autumn continues... Sometimes Apple,  sometimes Pumpkin... This time it's Pumpkin...

Il Tempo Vola... Time Flies...

I absolutely cannot believe that it is November ... I guess being in Italy threw me off... I lost my usual getting the house ready for Fall and Halloween.  Now Halloween has come and gone and it is time to celebrate family birthdays.  I feel out of my usual routine,  and I suppose it is because of being in a new place and never having had any seasons here ... it is very strange to me,  feeling as though I don't know how things should look here right now.  I purged so much before this move,  which is good... but I am at a loss...  I will continue to try and get the house  looking a little more like the season ,  a season that I love so much...

Viaggio Autunnale... Autumn Trip...

Things have been just a bit different around here... Although I feel very settled in this new place,  I realize that I am still a bit out of sorts.  Situating a "garden" of sorts has helped this place feel even more like home... but it's just different.  I am definitely staying busy... a wedding,  cooking for parties,  and family dinners,  but my creative juices have just not been flowing as usual... just a few Autumn touches so far,   I will continue to work on that... Meanwhile,  we are enjoying very colorful sunrises over the lake and sunsets.   Very excited for  my upcoming trip to Italy with Priscilla!  Maybe Jim realized that I need a little something,  and suggested that Priscilla and I take a trip.  A very last minute plan makes it a little stressful,  but I am happy to be going in Autumn... looking to be inspired and feel more like myself...

Ciao Autunno... Hello Autumn...

Time flies when you're  having fun but this is crazy... September is close to being over and Fall is here.   Loving the cooler mornings and evenings and the smell of Fall in the air.  It smells different at this new place... more outdoorsy... Love that!  As I do each year on the first day of Autumn,  I made a pie... Pumpkin this time,   classic,   and with my usual embellishment of hand cut leaves.  This pie is the first Fall dessert of the season with many more to come.  We celebrated Jody's Birthday here,  with the girls... lots of fun.  I made lunch and the cake... Pumpkin Spice with Pecans.