Autumn from the Heart of the Home
Heart of the Home Series

By Susan Branch

“Summer’s loss seems little, dear, on days like these.” - Earnest Dowson

     Susan Branch adds Autumn to her growing collection of cookbooks. With her tasty recipes, autumn-colored decorating ideas, borrowed quotes and unique art readers can visually warm up their homes, treat their friends, learn new recipes, and much more.

     Branch’s seasonal advice is artistic, tasty, and heart-warming in nature. She recommends decorating with crafts you make yourself, as well as creating some mouth-watering fall recipes for appetizers, side dishes, main dishes, soup, etc with the easy recipes she’s included. Her decorating ideas are as simple as setting out games for those cold evenings indoor, using quilts as tablecloths, and warming up your kitchen with fall-color objects like bake-a-lite kitchen utensils and potholders. Other seasonal pleasures for your family and extended family are homemade place cards at dinner, leaf shape crackers and decorating the guest room. She also gives a seasonal touch to her gift ideas (a cookie basket, Sniffle basket for the sick). And for those thirsty visitors, try her delicious recipes for homemade hot coco, spiced cider, hot toddies and more. And just when you think Branch has done all she can do, she goes on about the fall harvest, canning, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. The ones I’m ready to try are: Rainbow Jello-O delight (pg 67), the Autumn Picnic Menu (pg 85), and everything one would need for a perfect Afternoon Tea (pg 108).

      Autumn is packed with everything one needs to invite the Fall season indoors. It’s a wonderful addition to Branch’s cookbook series. The quirky script and whimsical drawings make this a unique series, deserving of its own distinctively decorated shelf. Highly recommend.