Innehållsförteckning för Autumn Bliss 2025 från Victoria

As the calendar turns to September, my thoughts drift longingly to autumn. Living in a mild climate, we may be weeks away from our first crisp, cool morning, but I make every effort to bid the season to come early. I begin by adding lustrous accents to my interiors and incorporating burnished hues into my wardrobe. A sense of wanderlust tempts me to explore distant horizons in search of vibrant fall color, while yearnings for hearth and home prompt me to bring cozy menus to my table. With four inspiring chapters, this edition of Autumn Bliss celebrates many of the delights to be savored this time of year. We begin on page 9 with “Pumpkin Promenade,” highlighting ideas for decorating indoor and outdoor spaces with our favorite gourd. “Enrobed in…

“FOR PLAINLY ’TIS SEEN THE PUMPKIN IS QUEEN OF THE RANCH AND THE DINNER TABLE.”—May C. Hanks…

In the fertile farmland of Napa Valley, true paradise awaits, calling sojourners to come experience the region’s hospitable culture, balmy weather, natural beauty, and, of course, wine. Nestled in the renowned Stag’s Leap district of this famed destination, one of California’s oldest family wineries thrives beneath the faces of gentle, knowing hills. This rising ground has watched over centuries of agricultural bounty in the valley below, where Regusci Winerysits today in prosperity. From the Wappo tribes, a generous people who dwelt here before the foundation of the United States, to noted rancher T. L. Grigsby, who built the Occidental Winery here in 1878, those who tended this property from its earliest days knew that there was magic in the soil. In 1932, after Prohibition and other events shuttered the once-thriving…

“THE OLD PLUM TREE IS BOUNDLESS. ALL AT ONCE, IT BLOSSOMS, OPENS, AND OF ITSELF, THE FRUIT IS BORN.”—Dogen THE RECIPES Vanilla and Earl Grey Plum Loaf Cake Makes 1 (9-inch) loaf ¾ cup butter, softened1 cup granulated sugar1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved3 large eggs1¾ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder6 Black Doris plums3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar½ teaspoon ground cinnamonEarl Grey Glaze (recipe follows)Garnish: sliced fresh plums 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with baking spray with flour. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter andgranulated sugar with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add reserved vanilla bean seeds, beating until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well aftereach addition. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together flour and…

“THE ESSENTIAL JOY OF BEING WITH HORSES IS THAT IT BRINGS US IN CONTACT WITH THE RARE ELEMENTS OF GRACE, BEAUTY, SPIRIT, AND FIRE.”—Sharon Ralls Lemon…

“THE SPIRIT OF THETEA BEVERAGE IS ONE OF PEACE, COMFORT, AND REFINEMENT.”—Arthur Gray “BERGAMOT PROMOTESA CHEERFUL ANDFRIENDLY ATTITUDE. … ITS REFRESHING AROMA RELIEVES FATIGUE.”—K.G. Stiles THE RECIPES Chocolate Bergamot Layer Cake Makes 1 (8-inch) cake 1½ cups whole buttermilk4 Earl Grey tea bags½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly1 cup granulated sugar1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar4 large eggs, room temperature1 teaspoon vanilla extract2½ cups all-purpose flour6 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon kosher salt6 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightlyCaramelized White Chocolate Buttercream (recipe follows)Lavender Ganache (recipe follows)Garnish: edible blooms, dried lavender 1. In a medium saucepan, heat buttermilk over medium-low heat just until bubbles start to form around edges (do not boil). Remove from heat and add tea; cover and…

“THE TORCHLIT GARDEN WAS REDOLENT WITH THE COLORS AND SCENTS OF AUTUMN.”—Lisa Kleypas…

“WHEN I WEAR A SILK SCARF, I NEVER FEEL SO DEFINITELY LIKE A WOMAN, A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.”—Audrey Hepburn…

When Lauren Ackerman first purchased property in the Coombsville American Viticultural Area of Napa Valley, her background in technology was of little help in the winemaking world. Undaunted, she learned by watching and absorbing every aspect of the viniculture process, and when the first two barrels rolled out in 1995, she was on her way to producing the acclaimed offerings that bear the Ackerman Family Vineyards name with pride. That same enthusiasm for immersing herself in the business held her in good stead when, in 2010, she discovered a tumbledown circa 1888 Queen Anne Victorian in the Napa historic district. “The house was painted pink and purple, and it was falling apart,” relates Lauren. “But when I walked in, I was immediately smitten because all the original details were there,…

“IT LOOKED LIKE THE WORLD WAS COVERED IN A COBBLER CRUST OF BROWN SUGAR AND CINNAMON.”—Sarah Addison Allen THE RECIPES Cinnamon French Toast with Cranberry Compote and Crème Fraîche Whipped Cream Makes 4 to 6 servings 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided2 large eggs4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided¼ cup all-purpose flour5 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, divided1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg¼ teaspoon kosher salt1 (16-ounce) loaf challah, cut into (½-inch thick) slices (approximately 16)2 tablespoons crème fraîcheCranberry Compote (recipe follows) 1. Preheat oven to 200°. 2. In a medium bowl, combine 1½ cups cream, eggs, 2 tablespoons butter, flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; whisk to combine well. 3. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon…

Below is a listing of products and companies featured in this issue. Items not listed are privately owned and are not for sale. Pricing and availability may vary. Pages 15–22: Gordon Skagit Farms, 15598 McLean Road, Mount Vernon, WA, gordonskagitfarms.com. Pages 29–36: Special thanks to Clairmont Show Stables, 689 Old Deer Creek Road, Sterrett, AL, clairmontshowstables.com. Polo Ralph Lauren: Harlow Long-Sleeve Floral Maxi Wrap Dress in Red Meadow, Sleeveless Floral Dress in Burgundy, 400 Matchstick Leather Trim Jeans in Tan, Artisanal Embroidered Equestrian Crewneck Sweater in Camel, Ruffled Cotton Shirt in Blue, Paisley Necktie Blouse in Romantic Purple; Ralph Lauren Collection: Iconic Style Turtleneck Button-Shoulder Cashmere Sweater in Cream; Burberry: The Classics Giant Check Cashmere Scarf in Archive Beige, Frankby Quilted Jacket in Black, Charlotte TB Monogram Wool & Cashmere…

Apple Dumplings 90 Bourbon Custard 95 Caramelized White Chocolate Buttercream 82 Chocolate Bergamot Layer Cake 82 Chocolate Frangipane Filling 95 Cinnamon-Bourbon Caramel Sauce 89 Cinnamon French Toast with Cranberry Compote and Crème Fraîche Whipped Cream 89 Cranberry Compote 89 Creamy Rice Pudding with Cinnamon-Bourbon Caramel Sauce 89 Earl Grey Glaze 94 Earl Grey Lemon Cheesecake 84 Earl Grey Mini Pavlovas 83 Earl Grey Rose Latte 83 Earl Grey Sticky Toffee Pudding Bundtlettes 82 Fig Pastry Cream 83 Five-Spice Aprium Tarte Tatin with Honey-Orange Mascarpone 96 Hazelnut Cake with Whipped Topping and Plums 94 Honey-and-Black Pepper Roasted Plums with Pecan Crumble and Bourbon Custard 95 Honey-Orange Mascarpone 96 Lavender Ganache 82 Mini Chocolate Frangipane Tarts with Wine-Poached Plums 95 Orange-Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls with Mascarpone Icing 89 Pecan Crumble 96 Pie Dough…