Perhaps it was the decadent menu at Bouchon, or perhaps it was the crisp morning autumn air.  Or perhaps it’s just the color caramel itself.  But all of a sudden I was craving French Onion Soup.  Oh.  Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur Keller.  Soupe à l’Oignon. 

Now you know I love a good transformation.  Especially one where a raw bland object with hidden potential gets transformed into sweet and sassy goodness.  And I’m a sucker for a great before and after.  It must be why I love how a yellow onion becomes the most savory gourmet delight in an hour. 

I have a serious love affair with caramelized onions.  I could eat them on my scrambled eggs, over potatoes, on steaks, over flatbread, and always with cheese. Glorious oozing melting cheese.  They are one of those culinary delights that make a germ sensitive mom like me lick her fingers without any regret.

And with my caramelized onions, I make the most fabulous French Onion Soup.

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After a weekend of relaxation, I was very excited to jump into my long list of new projects for fall.  Unfortunately, I was up all night with an ill daughter, and as a result, tethered to my house today tending to a sick child.  It forced a change in plans for the day.  But no worries.  I changed course, and in between serving crackers and juice, I focused on injecting some fall colors into our home.   

I am by no means ready for Halloween.  Today, I was inspired to put away some of the summer whites, and bring out some of the fall colors that seem appropriate for September.  I challenged myself to work with what decor I already had, so I scurried around the house in my pajamas all day hunting for objects I haven’t displayed in awhile. 

First, I focused on the kitchen mantle.  It spent all summer covered with a collection of white ceramics, which I adore.  But today, I ventured into a study in complementary colors. 

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One of my favorite books, A Tale of Two Valleys, humorously chronicles the history of the two most prominent Northern California Wine Country counties, Napa and Sonoma.  From a visitor’s point of view, the book fuels the ongoing fiery debate as to which county has more to offer its residents and visitors.  Mr. CG and I are Sonoma County residents, so naturally, we’re biased towards our own home turf.  But every now and then, we wander over the hills to visit Napa, and for good reason.  A weekend in Napa County is simply divine.

Graeser Winery vineyard

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There are crafts that I do with my kids that I deem post-worthy, and crafts that I really wouldn’t write about.  But this one turned out pretty cute, so I thought I’d share.

Since I was going away for the weekend, without the kids, to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary, I decided to take my five year old daughter to the craft store and spend a few hours with her, creating something together for autumn.  We picked out some fabric leaves and amber beads, and decided to make our own wind catcher.

And it’s true. There is something irresistible about autumn leaves blowing in the wind. Call me sentimental, but now I’m longing for cornfield mazes and pumpkin pie.

Here is our creation:

If you want to spend an afternoon with your kids or grandkids creating something together, then this is an inexpensive keepsake craft.

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