(Did you know that this is the most-read McSweeney’s article of all time??)

I am back from Baltimore, and the weather here in Chicago has turned deliciously chilly. Fall is my very favorite season, and it’s got me thinking of all the gourds, both decorative and edible.

I love winter squash so much. They’re beautiful, they’re delicious, and chock full of beta carotene. I was toying with doing a more informational chart, with flavor notes and such (and I might do that eventually), but honestly, I just wanted to paint a bunch of pretty squashes. And now I want to go to the farmer’s market and buy a bunch of pretty squashes and roast them until my whole house smells like fall.

Currently I am a big fan of honeynut squash. They’re delicious, but also: Niles doesn’t like winter squash as much as I do, so it doesn’t make sense for me to roast a huge butternut. The honeynut ones are a perfectly tidy little size.

Upcoming Events:

This coming Saturday I will be at MILK Comics Fest in Milwaukee! I’m really excited for this one, I haven’t been back to Milwaukee in ages. Come out to the 3rd Street Market Hall and say hi!

(Just FYI: if you already own any of my books and bring them to me at a show like this one, I will always be overjoyed to sign them for you.)

What I’m Into Lately:

I’m very late to the party, but your girl has FINALLY started watching Widow’s Bay, a show that honestly seems like it was created exactly for me. I’m only halfway through, so no spoilers please, but I absolutely love it. It walks such a delicate line between horror and comedy, and it does it with grace and confidence and flair. It’s just as marvelous as I hoped. Did you know that the creator of Widow’s Bay is also this wonderful person who showed up to a non-costume party as the Babadook? That only makes me love the show even more.

What Toki’s Into Lately:

Sara Varon and I took a cake decorating class at Chicago’s Bon Vivant, where we made cakes to look like our beloved pets. Here is the one I made of Toki, along with a pic of Toki being entirely unimpressed with my efforts.