As the crimson and gold of fall fade to the crunchy, stepped-on brown, and the world begins to wrap itself in scratchy woolly grays, I store up color. Or ways to bring color into my home.

Fruit with its sun soaked goodness is an edible flower. An economic flower. A flower with a sweet surprise.

I turn the pears over slowly in the produce section seeking the unblemished and unique. One a bit more portly or one with the stem tipped like a hat. One with bright rosy cheeks and another dappled with freckles.

Gone are the mason jars dripping with the clippings of our yard. Now stands the proud pedestal with the offerings of fall. The pecans, the walnuts, the almonds in their dappled browns. And the Anjou in their bright Bordeaux.

After a few days of adorning our table, they are ready to slice and serve. A flower with a happy ending. Enjoy!