September vanished in the blink of an eye. Though I'm still recovering from the heat of July and August, I can now embrace the outdoors. I can take walks, bask in the gentle warmth of the sun, and revel in the refreshing autumn breeze.

As October rolls in, I'm happily shifting gears from hot weather mode to cozy fall vibes! I've already dug out my fall decorations, keeping things simple and minimalist. I love ordering a few new pillow covers from Amazon in all the beautiful fall colors, and I can't wait to showcase my favorite pumpkin décor that I've gathered over the years.

There's something so comforting about sipping warm coffee while nibbling on seasonal treats like pumpkin bread or apple cider donuts. I like to work on a little craft project while I reminisce about all the joys of the season. Another one of my favorite things to do is take a leisurely stroll through HomeGoods to find inspiration. And let's not forget about those wonderful fall-scented candles! I really need to stop by our local gem, The Burlap Barn, to grab a new one. If you haven't checked it out yet, it's a must-visit for all things holiday and home décor!

And of course, baking and cooking are my all-time favorites! I'm definitely planning on whipping up some pumpkin goodies that are both sweet and savory. So far, I've made butternut squash gnocchi, pumpkin bread, and apple cider donuts. I'll do my best to share my favorite recipes below—just keep in mind that I'm still learning, so please be patient with me! Happy fall!

What's new for Irene's Dessert Table:

For the past year, I have been eager to offer cake and cookie classes. Previously, I taught the art of sugar at an adult school in Norwalk, California, and I have many fond memories of my students. They welcomed me warmly and were excited to learn skills they never thought they could master. I helped mothers bake and decorate cakes and cookies for their children and friends. We even went on field trips, attended culinary expos, and toured the central kitchen of Knott's Berry Farm—thanks to some great connections I had!

I would love to return to that part of my journey. I've started looking for locations to hold and host classes, and I'm also considering the possibility of offering live Zoom classes. Additionally, I've begun filming content for my YouTube channel. If you have a passion for cake decorating and sugar art, I hope you'll join me on this new adventure!

From The Garden:

This season of exploring the world of edible blooms has been incredibly rewarding. I am truly grateful to everyone who has supported me on this sweet adventure.

Last season, I started with over 75 seedlings from seed, but only about four survived—two zinnias and one celosia. However, this season has been much better; my pansies and violas are thriving, and the bachelor buttons have produced an abundance of blooms. Additionally, our fig tree has been amazing, and the fruit it produced is beautiful.

I was initially hesitant to begin selling the edible blooms and roses. However, the interest expressed by my supporters—through texts and calls—gave me the courage to start offering some of the flowers I've grown.

I want to thank them for their interest and their support of my vision. This year, I sold edible blooms, lavender bouquets, figs, and even mixed flower bouquets. It has been such a fun experience, and I can't wait for next season!