Serate Autunnali…Autumn Evenings…

Still so warm here… well into the evening,  making for perfect alfresco dining.  Autumn touches on the table made by me…because nature isn't really showing much Autumn in the garden around here… Pumpkins,  my absolute favorite… I remember the excitement of rushing home from school on Halloween as a young girl,  so excited to carve the pumpkins before going out Trick or Treating.  I think that I have finally out grown my extreme love for Halloween,  although I still enjoy it,  my excitement now is more about fall,  and decorating pumpkins in ways other than the typical jack o lantern style…of course  there will always be at least one or two jack o lanterns on the porch on Halloween Night  to welcome the trick or treaters…

Autunno… Autumn…

I came home from my very long trip to a new season… Autumn,  according to the calendar anyway … but it's been in the 80's and 90's here,  and hardly a falling leaf to be found.  I'm finding it difficult to get inspired to decorate for Fall,  but I will… Slowly but surely…

Giocando Con Zucche... Playing With Pumpkins...

I gave it my all,  but  my pumpkin harvest never happened... One silly little lopsided  pumpkin with an ugly stem is all I managed to grow.  It wasn't a very pretty one either... until I turned it into a lantern....

Una Semplice Cena Autunnale... A Simple Autumn Dinner...

Autumn brings that cozy feeling... and lots of squashes and pumpkins.  Meals of soups,  slow roasted meats,  and stews.  Hearty, warming dishes... but,  it's still so hot here,  we're not quite ready for that.  Simple Pasta, with fresh from the garden vegetables and a Salad are perfect for a warm Autumn evening...

Caramelized Onion,  Eggplant,  and Zucchini, sauteed in Olive Oil  then tossed with Pasta makes  for a quick and  easy dish...

Warm Arugula and White Bean Salad,  topped with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano ...

Zucche In Velluto ... Velvet Pumpkins...

I first saw these little Velvet Pumpkins last year while shopping with friends.  Of course we said " we can make those"... so we did.  One of my best friends,  Jody, from Rooted in Thyme came over and we made a few.  It's a simple project,  which I like.

 I love pumpkins...  in all shapes , sizes,  and colors.  In all their beautiful rustic earthiness,  but the Velvet adds a little bit of glam which I always like...

 And a little sparkle,  of course...