Review of Autumn by Susan Branch
Fall is my favorite season. The beautiful leaves, the fresh, crisp air, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in the kitchen, beautiful pumpkins on doorsteps and the thrill of a new school year. Not to mention Halloween and the pending holiday season! All of this comes together to make autumn a very special time of year.
Susan Branch has captured all of this and more in her wonderful book, aptly named, Autumn.
In this very special book, every page is covered with her lovely artwork and some delicious recipes to make the kitchen and family feel even more special as the weather changes from hot to chilly. You’ll want to wrap yourself up on the couch with this book (and some lovely apple cinnamon or earl gray tea made with a tea ball — page 108!), but make sure you have a pen and paper handy because before you know it, you’ll be planning meals, trips to the grocery stores and you’ll be excited to make over your kitchen and create a guest list so you can share some of these amazing recipes!
This book has everything you need to make the inside of your home, and your belly, very happy during this beautiful time of year. Susan will walk you through the “Autumn Arts” which includes wonderful tips for entertaining, decorating and how to make your home welcoming through easy embroidery gifts and decorations, cocoa cups, cookie baskets and the adorable “sniffle basket” for those who fall under the weather. For the kids, Susan provides a great “Halloween Punch” (page 118), and for our football fans, “Touchdown Chili!” (page 78)
She even gives us some “secret weapons” for Thanksgiving Dinner! And who doesn’t want Susan in her corner for Thanksgiving Dinner? The tips are great, and sure to help.
Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, Susan has created some pretty incredible recipes all the way from appetizers & finger foods to mouth watering hearty meals and delicious desserts. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this part of the book! My husband and I have had a great time with a few recipes, our favorite being the Braised Lamb Shanks on page 76. My husband loves making lamb, and he loved this recipe! It’s not nearly as complicated as some of the recipes he’s tried in the past, yet it was every bit as delicious.
This is a wonderful book that you’ll be using for years to come. It’s definitely going to become part of my fall tradition. I know that every year, when I feel that first bite of autumn in the air, I’m going to enjoy opening this book and planning some new adventures and memories.
Thank you Susan!