I don’t know what triggered my family’s Big Pumpkin Caper. Retaliation? Justice? For years, we had patiently carved Jack O’lanterns only to have them stolen and smashed on Halloween Eve. One moment they were happily glowing, the next they were a sodden mass in the road. We tried tucking them under the bushes at night,
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Ah, pumpkins, one of autumn’s most charming and versatile fruits (yes—they really are fruits, not vegetables). We picture them demurely decorating porch railings or tucked cleverly into fall displays. The small, sweet pie pumpkins conjure up images of tasty creations decked with whipped cream. But there is another side to pumpkins—a monster side! We’re talking
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The following decorating ideas and tips come from stylist and entertaining guru Matthew Mead. See the article A Halloween Happening from the Fall 2011 issue for fun party food ideas and recipes. Creating the Mood Getting into the, ahem, spirit of things, starts with great decor. Mead has an abundance of ideas using household staples
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See the article Saving the Summer: Preserving the Harvest in the Fall 2011 issue for more great recipes. Strawberry Balsamic Poached Pears During the fall and winter I probably prepare poached pears more often than any other dessert. They are really easy—foolproof, actually. The only thing you can do wrong is overcook the pears so
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