Once it is October, I go a little orange crazy; spotting any and soaking up all orange around me. Like these cheery Cosmos in my garden. I guess it goes back to my earlier years. I've almost always lived where there were 4 distance seasons and the vivid colors of autumn have always been my favorite. I am thankful to live in Japan where the seasons clearly change and I can bask in the cool fall weather after a hot and humid summer and even in the midst of my urbanized life, I can still enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of my best-loved time of year. 

I can also go a bit pumpkin crazy. Somehow the smell of cooked pumpkin, whether it is scones, soups or muffins...mixed with the zesty spices of cinamon and nutmeg, WAH -LA! A very happy announcement that autumn is here. 

I snagged this Starbucks copy cat recipe for a delightful day off treat that made my house smell good all day! I used my mashed, cooked Kabocha (Japanese pumpkin- winter squash) and these turned out quite tasty. What have you been cooking to welcome in this yummy season?