Autunno... Autumn...

As Fall rapidly approaches,  I find myself with  thoughts of Autumn favorites coming from my kitchen... and Autumn colors warming our home.  I am easing in  touches of orange and gold to bring in the season and adding pumpkins all around.  If my pumpkin plants let me down ( again) I will just have to buy them...or get them from Paul and Edy's gorgeous garden,  Quail Rock Farms... fine by me...

Nel Giardino...In The Garden...

We got some rain today,  which is so unusual during this time of the year.  It was a nice change ,  and so good for the Garden. The Roses keep giving us beautiful blooms without too much  effort,  Sunflowers are blooming and many more will follow as I keep poking more Sunflower seeds,  in various colors,  into the ground in hopes of having lots of Sunflowers into Autumn. There are Morning Glorys growing up trellises  and a few Hollyhock.   Eggplants are growing nicely,  Pumpkins,  S L O W L Y...
New little Grapevines adorned with a few perfect clusters of Grapes...There are plenty of Herbs for cooking, cocktails and just plain beauty.   I just planted a new Kitchen Garden around the Fountain,  with Vegetables , Flowers ,  and Herbs.  I look forward to it filling in quickly...

  

Cheesecake con Girasoli... Sunflower Cheesecake......

Cheesecake is a beautiful thing all on its own,  but I can't seem to leave things alone, so I embellish.
I made my favorite Cheesecake recipe, then made Sunflowers with  melted White Chocolate...

painted them with Luster Dust and Edible Glitter to make them extra pretty...

then put them on the Cheesecake...

In Attesa per l' Autunno... Waiting for Autumn...

I started Pumpkins so early this year because I wanted to be sure that I would  have them in time for Halloween,  or at all for that matter.  I've had so little success with growing pumpkins in the past.  This year though,  I was determined.  So,  I started planting early,  made sure  my soil was well amended, and watered properly.  I'm happy to have lots of little Pumpkins which I have already harvested, and more on the vines.

The Cinderella Pumpkins need a little more time...

           

Sunflowers are so amazing...  One little seed and all this beauty...  I love all the traditional yellow ones, but the Autumn tones are stunning...  and I am thinking  about autumn...