It's the most wonderful time of the year.

In the 1998 romcom "You've Got Mail", Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) says to his Internet pen pal Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) about the month of September: "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

A bouquet of newly sharpened pencils....I love that! I also love Winnipeg in the fall, I really do. In the last 3 years, the majority of my time was spent living on a small island in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman. In the fall months, September especially, the normally idyllic island turns grey, wet, and dreary. Hurricanes, tropical storms and rain become a regular occurrence. When it isn't raining, the heat and humidity are unbearable. There are no tourists or cruise ships passing through, no $$ to be made. Meanwhile, heaps of the locals take their holidays to avoid the icky weather, some outdoor restaurants shut down for the month, and the island is pretty empty. There was never any feeling of back to school or smell of freshly sharpened pencils in the air. September was the time of year I would get very homesick.

Being back in Canada and back in school makes this September an incredibly exciting time for me. I am happy to be pulling out warmer sweaters and boots, digging out the toques, boots and scarves I had forgotten all about. School is in full swing and I love every minute of it. It is the first time I am studying something that I enjoy and have a genuine interest in. In my PR class, I was forced to go against all I believed in and join the world of Twitter, it was actually quite painless and “tweeting” is even a little bit fun!! Outside, the leaves are already turning to beautiful shades of copper, the air is crisp and cool, and the sun is still shining bright. Yesterday, I went for a walk along a winding path that follows alongside the Red River, making the most out of a perfect autumn afternoon and feeling completely content. I love the fall!

This week’s cocktail is a tasty treat with the colors of this beautiful season; it is dedicated to a wonderfully crazy young woman who would have celebrated her 26th birthday this week. Happy birthday Grace!

Gracie Minty

✮ 2 oz Grey Goose L'Orange vodka

✮1/4 oz Campari liqeur

✮1/2 oz simple syrup****

✮4-6 mint leaves,

✮3 lime wedges

✮2 orange wheels (cut in half to create 4 half-moon shaped slices)

✮Soda water

-In a shaker, gently muddle together the mint, lime, orange slices & simple syrup.

-Fill the shaker with ice, add the vodka and Campari.

-Shake it baby!!! Shake it!!!

-Pour the contents of the shaker into a rocks glass, fill with fresh ice, and top with soda.

-Cheers!!!!

**** For simple syrup recipe, check out www.allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/making-simple-syrup/Detail.aspx)