Welcome Autumn

Sometimes it's the simple pleasures in life that make us feel good.  I took this photo last October at the Stonewall Kitchen in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Looking at it has me longing for Halloween and all the delights of the fall season.  This season always goes by so fast and this year I hope I can slow down and enjoy each precious moment.

Staying at a charming country hotel in New England is a favorite thing to do this time of the year

You are surrounded by all the splendors of nature 

 Country roads beckon 

People go all out to decorate for the fall season.  This scene is from the beautiful village of Woodstock, Vermont.

Store front windows have such charming displays

This is the country store at Shelburne Farms, Vermont

We visit Maine each year and always return to MC Perkins Cove Restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine.  It has great seasonal food, including a delicious clam chowder.

Bates College, my alma mater, is always part of our trip.  Here is the quad in October during Homecoming Weekend.

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Fall with all its bounty has definitely arrived here in Los Angeles and it almost seems to have snuck in and appeared when I wasn't paying attention.  Just the other day I noticed that the stores are stocked with squashes and pumpkins of all kinds, the weather has cooled down, and my neighbors have artfully arranged pumpkins on their porches.  I decided to get busy and do some fall decorating of my own.

The front door of my house is now ready for trick-or-treaters and Thanksgiving guests

 Flowers bring in the palette of fall and create a mood of celebration in the house

These yellow roses in the hallway add some golden fall color

I love these cheerful dahlias in the kitchen

I bought these cookie cutters last November in San Francisco and my goal this autumn season is to make shortbread cookies in these shapes and dip them in chocolate.  I think they will make great hostess gifts.   A platter of shortbread cookies served with butter pecan ice cream and caramel sauce would be a delicious dessert for a cozy dinner at home.

We all know it will speed by, so let's try to enjoy every wonderful moment of the season.  This time of year is all about the comforts of home.  I would love to know --  how do you decorate your house for fall and what recipes are you cooking now that there's a chill in the air?