Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Actually I appreciate each season, but autumn for the changing leaves. Maples are my favorite this time of year with their wide array of the orange/red spectrum: some moving toward pink, others almost crimson.

I caught the sunrise this past weekend on a sunny Sunday morning, and then went for an early morning walk. The Maples were showing off their vibrant colors with the brilliant morning sun dazzling off the tops of the trees against a backdrop of the autumn cobalt sky.

The short days seem to signal the time for rest and turning inward for reflection. There’s a quietness in the air – even quieter this year it seems, and slower. By early November trees are losing leaves, or mostly naked and there’s a briskness in the air that foretells of winter’s coming arrival. This year the trees have taken their time in turning. The glory of autumn has extended itself a little while longer.

During this season, I start to crave oatmeal and warming spices like cinnamon; and I drink more tea – my current favorite is Tazo Rest with valerian for the evening, a few hours before bedtime. And I make more soups. Here is one my favorite fall soup recipes:

Sweet Potato Tomato Soup

• 2 T oil or butter

• 3 stalks celery (chopped)

• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)

• 1 large sweet potato (chopped into 1-2 inch cubes)

• 1 14 oz can chopped tomatoes

• 1/4 cup orange juice and/or 1/8 tsp orange extract (both optional)

• 3-4 cups veg or chicken broth

• 1/4 tsp thyme

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• salt

• cayenne pepper (optional)

• In a saucepan, saute chopped celery and diced onion in 2T oil until soft (about 10 minutes). Add cubed sweet potato, canned tomatoes, orange juice and extract (optional), veg broth, thyme and oregano. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer until potatoes are soft (about 20 minutes). Remove from saucepan in batches and place in blender to puree.

• Warning: Do not fill blender more than half full, and hold lid in place firmly, starting with blender on low or you will have sweet potato tomato walls!

• Return soup to sauce pan and heat on low for about 10 minutes, adding salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let sit about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!