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...

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...

Dal Giardino… From The Garden…

Well,  Fall has finally arrived,  rain,  a thunderstorm and some cooler temperatures… I thought it would never happen… It is lovely.  Growing things this past summer,  and now fall,  has been different,  more difficult because of the strange weather,  I think .  My Roses didn't seem to do as well as in the past.  I believe that these are the last of the Roses for now.  I am happy to have harvested three (only) pumpkins from the garden… one jack o lantern,  and two Cinderella's… better than last year.  I've planted some broccoli,  cauliflower,  and cabbages.  I still have some tomatoes and lots of Herbs and Arugula around the Fountain,  and I am making room in one of the raised beds for some more cool weather vegetables.

Benvenuti e Dolcetti alla Zucca... Welcome and Pumpkin Muffins...

I love seeing a wreath on a front door. It tells me there is hospitality inside.  I always have one on my door,  no matter the season...  It just says "Welcome"...

The scent of Pumpkin Muffins baking says Welcome Autumn...

 These i've sprinkled with Candied Walnuts...

 Muffins baking and coffee brewing ...cozy autumn morning...

 I packaged a few to take to a friend who's  husband is very ill...