I love Texas in the Fall. The long bitterly hot summer is over. The humidity drops when the first cool front comes in, and there is just a bite in the air. I am a Native Texan but I can barely tolerate the heat of the summer. When it is over one feels like a new life has begun.

Because our winters are mild our lawns and flower beds perk up at this time of the year. We usually give the beds a good layering of mulch to keep plants safe from the light freeze we sometimes have.

The sky is the most wonderful blue you can imagine! I feel sure the sky is blue in the summer but I am never able to see it because of the bright sunshine hitting me in the eyes and the heat rising from the pavement!

Food just tastes better in the fall. My favorite is pumpkin pie! Here is a favorite recipe.

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs

15 ounces pumpkin puree

12 ounces evaporated milk

1 unbaked 9 inch (4 cup) pie shell

MIx sugar, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add pumpkin and sugar spice mixture. Pour into pie shell. Bake in preheated oven 425 degrees 15 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees and bake 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

May garnish with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or pecans.

Do not freeze.