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...

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...

Quasi Autunno... Almost Autumn...

It's been a hot and humid summer and I am ready for it to be over and enjoy some cooler Fall weather.  The days are getting just a bit shorter and there are very faint signs of Fall in the air.  Looking forward to seasonal cooking and enjoying some Autumn Favorites from the kitchen. In the meantime,  I don't want to rush things but I will begin doing some seasonal decorating and getting ready for a visit from Angelo and Pina.

Dal Forno...From The Oven...

It seems like so long since i've been able to post because of technical difficulties which I hope to resolve completely very soon.  It's a busy time right now getting ready for Isa's baby shower... so fun, lots of details and it will be over soon... in the meantime I have been doing the usual cooking as well as lots of baking. Some for us,  and some to take over to friends' houses...Panna Cotta Tarts,  Pizza Rustica with Ricotta and Eggplant, New York Cheesecake with Fresh Flowers,  Chocolate Orange Ganache Tart, and  Fresh Peach Crumb Top Pie have kept me busy and happy...

Giardino Di Vasi... The Potted Garden...

My potted garden is thriving... Tomatoes and herbs along with Roses and Hydrangea,  Lavenders and sages.  Lovely and fragrant.  I have so many tomatoes on the vines which are healthy and relatively pest free,  for now anyway.  The few English Roses that I brought with me in the move are happy here at the new place .  Although they all live in pots, they are pretty,  happy and blooming... which makes me happy... I have ordered another favorite that I did not bring with me... 

The Generous Gardener should be here in a week or so.