Fall folio.

Fall is here! I've decided that as much as I like summer, fall might just be the best season in New England. In a region where winter is six months long (with no spring to speak of) and summer is short but hot, fall is our chance to enjoy sunny, crisp days...and everything good that fills them:

1. Staying a weekend at a friend-of-a-friend's New Hampshire lake house, complete with hammock, cozy fire, and foliage: (thanks to Nick and Mehul for the excellent photo documentation)

The weather was a little questionable, so I wore my favorite rainproof shoes (really a "1A" here):

2. Chili cook-offs (I brought my winning chili to my new company and won second place...tougher competition?)

3. "Oktoberfest" beer varietals:

(Is it wrong to be drinking Harpoon out of a Sam Adams glass?)

4. Icelandic lamb season at Whole Foods:

(Salt and pepper)

(Garlic and rosemary)

(broil for 4-5 minutes on each side -- yes, it is that simple)

5. Meeting this little pumpkin:

(My sweet nephew, Owen -- I was making duck confit, and he was fascinated by the caramelized onions...I spy a bright culinary future for this one.)