While I worry about the passage of time I still feel excited about the change of season. Changing color pallets, menus, even the scents of autumn are different and I love the variation in style this brings to my entertaining and decoration.   Though many of the elements of autumn decoration and harvest are the  same each year I try to do something new with the ubiquitous apples, pumpkins, squashes, leaves, bittersweet, and mums that are the staples of the autumn pantry.

 Summer encompasses bold graphic colors, armfuls of brilliant flowers,  straight pure flavors from the garden of ripe tomatoes, sweet corn , succulent fruit accompanied by cooling light drinks enjoyed outdoors. Autumn by contrast is subtle imbued with rich color,  multiple textures and patterns to mix creating ornate tapestries, and layered flavors in food complemented by bolder wines as we sit beside a cozy fire.