october 2025

The Frenzy of Early Autumn

There’s something about early Autumn that stirs the air into a frenzy. I’m never quite sure if it’s the sudden realization that the year is almost over, or simply the collective energy of people trying to fit twelve months of intentions into the final stretch. Deadlines loom, calendars fill, and the pace of life quickens.

You can see it everywhere. On the streets, cars dart from one place to another with a sense of urgency. On the trees, leaves seem eager to let go, shedding themselves before winter’s stillness. At work, the rhythm shifts into overdrive—end-of-year reviews, next-year plans, last pushes before the holidays.

But there’s a subtle danger in this season, too. If we don’t take a moment to breathe, we can miss the quiet invitation tucked inside October. To me, October feels like a threshold, an open door that says: pause, reflect, take account. There’s still time to make small shifts, to realign before the year officially folds shut. It’s a gift, really—but only if we slow down enough to notice.

Of course, slowing down isn’t always easy when the to-do lists pile high. That’s why this month, for Gather Around, I’m focusing on comfort—specifically, comfort foods that remind me of home. And “home” is a layered word for me. Yes, I was born in Brazil, but my heart has been just as shaped by American routines and Italian tables. In truth, I’m more American-Italian in daily life than Brazilian, but those roots are still there, grounding me.

This season, I’m choosing not to race through October, but to taste it—literally and figuratively. To honor the mix of cultures that raised me and to share the dishes that bring warmth when life speeds up. Because in the rush of Autumn, sometimes the best thing we can do is gather around a table, take a breath, and let comfort remind us what truly matters.

So let’s dip our bread into the pillowy softness of burrata, its cream spilling like a secret meant only for those who linger at the table. Let’s savor the alchemy of balsamic as it glistens over charred fruit—sweet, smoky, and tangy all at once.

We’ll return to the old family recipe: spicy meatballs, simmered long enough to fill the kitchen with warmth, paired with spaghetti that might feel a touch too firm for the American palate but is just right for the Roman soul.

And when it’s time for dessert, we’ll befriend the layered indulgence of tiramisu, each bite a reminder that coffee and cream can tell a love story. And if we’re feeling bold, perhaps we’ll raise tiny glasses of espresso martinis—mini versions that keep the spirit light and playful, just enough to toast to the season.

This table, with its mix of comfort and celebration, feels like exactly what Autumn calls for: a pause, a gathering, a way to ground ourselves in tradition while still delighting in the present.

Let’s Gather Around!

Julia