Fall is officially here.  I went for my early-evening stroll down by river tonight and felt the identifiable chill against my skin as I huddled inside my fleece-lined pullover, and the silky, smooth voice of Luis Miguel crooning through my ear buds for an added touch of warmth.)

Fall is zesty and spicy, like an Italian minestrone … it’s that great old saxophone player in your favorite lounge, cool to the bone and hitting all the high notes. It’s the last hurrah before the stillness of winter sets in, a going away party for the soul decorated in vibrant hues of red and gold.  There are so many things about the season that I love, but here are a few, in no particular order:

• The pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn that greet you as you enter a supermarket.

• Butternut squash soup, with a dollop of sour cream and a grind of pepper on top, served in my favorite Tuscan-style ceramic bowls.

• The way a robust glass of chianti tastes when you come in from a chilly afternoon.

• The Changing of The Perfume:  The crisp and citrusy scent of Rue Rance “Sublime” gets replaced with the warm and spicy notes of Balenciaga “Cristobal.”

• The little coats pet owners put on their dogs to keep them warm. Nothing conveys cuteness like tartan-plaid on a cocker spaniel.

• Leftover Halloween candy.  (Note: If a snickers bar is smaller than your thumb, the calories don’t count.)

• All kinds of sweaters: Pullovers, wraparounds, bulky wool and cashmere, of the non-itchy kind.

• Thanksgiving weekend.  It’s the only weekend of the year where it’s not only permissible but perfectly acceptable to live in your pajamas for three straight days, drinking and eating whatever suits your fancy sans the guilt.

• The aroma of logs burning on an outdoor fire in the cold night air.

• French music.  I love French music any time of year, but somehow it sounds better when you’re wearing leather gloves.