fall soups

I love soup.  We even served it at our fall wedding (3 yrs ago!), and that reminds me, I need to try and get that butternut squash soup recipe from our caterer.  It was delicious when we tried it, and everyone said it was sooo yummy (I didn't have any the day of).

This fall I've tried a few new soup recipes that T and I have loved.  The first one was crock pot Jambalaya.  I had some shrimp and chicken in the freezer that I wanted to use, so I just googled "crock pot jambalaya" and found this winner. See recipe ---> here.

Of course tweaking needs to take place when cooking for T, so this is what I did:

Crock Pot Jambalaya

Chicken
Turkey Sausage
Diced tomatoes
Onion
Chicken Broth
All the spices listed in the recipe
Frozen Shrimp

Threw all these in the crock pot and cooked on high for 3 hours.  I threw in the shrimp after 3 hours and cooked for 30 more minutes.  Served it with some wild rice and it was delicious!

The next one was my favorite I think, and I saw it on pinterest.  Well I went back today to find the recipe and I can't exactly find the one I used online, so good thing I wrote it in my recipe book.

Lasagna Soup

2 T olive oil
1 lb turkey sausage
(1 green bell pepper) left this out because we don't like green peppers
1 onion, chopped
32 oz chicken broth
3 cloves garlic
15 oz can tomato sauce
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 t salt
1/4 t crushed red pepper
4 oz broken whole wheat lasagna (about 4 noodles)
1/2 c chopped basil
3 T parmesan cheese
1/2 c grated mozzarella cheese

Heat oil over medium-high heat in dutch oven.  Add sausage, onion, garlic and cook until sausage is browned and crumbled.

Add broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt & crushed red pepper.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat & simmer for 20 minutes.

Add noodles and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook until noodles are tender, about 15 minutes.  (Whole wheat noodles cook longer, so if using non-whole wheat, then about 10-12 mins.)

Remove from heat and stir in mozzarella, basil and parmesan.

Serve with your favorite bread!

 [photo courtesy T man]

T absolutely LOVED this recipe and talked about it for the next few days.  We froze the leftovers, so I'll get to bring that out when we get some chilly temps again!

We had our church class over on Sunday and again, I wanted some soup to go along with the fire we had out on the patio.  I pulled out our church cook book and made a taco soup recipe that everyone raved about, so I wanted to share this one, too.

Taco Soup

1 1/2 lb ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans black or chili hot beans (I used one can of black)
11 oz corn
1 can rotel
1 pkg. dry taco seasoning
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
8 oz tomato sauce
1 can hominy, drained

Brown beef (turkey) until done.  Drain well.  Add beans, corn, ro-tel, dry seasonings, tomato sauce, and hominy to meat mixture.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve over corn chips and top with grated cheese, sour cream and cilantro!

Gibson thinks soups are delicious too

don't we have the cutest dog you've ever seen?  I hope he looks like a puppy forever....

a guest is with us

I know the desktop calendar is a little tardy (it's already November 7th!), but I had the idea this month to see about getting a friend of ours to share her awesome designs with everyone.

Jennifer Ferguson, who lives in Oklahoma, is one of T's dear friends from Oxford.  Jennifer is a graphic designer and I've always loved everything she creates.  First thing I ever got to see were her wedding invites (which were amazing), and everything since then is just so fun and so different!  She has an etsy shop where she makes the cutest greeting cards, so I urge you to check it out here ---> squirrelintheattic.

Here is what she created for us!

I hope everyone enjoys Jennifer's cute November desktop!  Go visit her etsy shop and leave some comments below!

Thanks Jennifer!

on the go + craft + pouf

Since the beginning of October we have been in Oxford every weekend, and while we do love it, we are glad to finally enjoy a weekend at home (this weekend).  The weather has finally turned chilly in Memphis, and while I was ready for it now that it's here I'm freeezzinggg.... And Gibson is shivering too. But I love sweaters and scarves and boots and wool socks and fires, so here we go!

I've done a few crafty projects around the ole house lately, and I never want to feel all braggy on this here blog, but one of them T absolutely loves, so I thought I'd share.  My inspiration for this came from pinterest... this yarn wreath below:

via here

Leslie had just made a yarn wreath for Juliette's door, and I guess I hadn't remembered how she told me that it takes SO LONG to make a yarn wreath... Well it does.  And I only did 2 layers (you're "supposed" to do 3).  I just loved the colors of this so I found some pumpkin colored yarn at Hobby Lobby on sale and already had the off-white felt.  My MIL had just given me this huge bunch of decorative sticks, so I new I could use those for the accent brown.  I hung it on our bedroom door...

Another new item I've been enjoying is our new pouf!  I spotted it while we were in Oxford shopping around the square with Margie, and I just had to go back to get it.  In our den we have 2 chairs, an ottoman, couch and coffee table, but there actually isn't room to have the ottoman in front of the chair.  Plus, Gibson would be depressed if we took away his perch...

So I this awesome kilim pouf and T and I went back to grab it up--good thing too because it was the very last one.  He mocked me for a little while that we bought a "pouf" but then he realized how awesome it actually is.  A sturdy stool that is just the right size and easily mobile.  Here it is on the way back...

Future possibilities for this little pouf are endless.

--> UPDATE of pouf in our den (per request):

opening day

October 1 brought opening day for a few things around our house...

Most importantly fall and fall weather!  We woke up on Saturday morning to low temps, and then enjoyed a beautiful sunny fall afternoon.

Secondly it was opening day of bow season for T.  He washed his gear in no scent detergent and loaded up his pack with the necessities.  I didn't venture down to Oxford with him this time as Gibson had a morning at the "spa" and I was going to frame our Italian prints at the frame corner.  I did receive a few photos of T in his element.

He his a "real hunter" and using face paint this year for the first time... eye black included.  Watch out deer, he's hiding from y'all!

When he returned from his weekend in the woods, we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins this year.  Twas a fun time.  We did have to find a new pumpkin patch this year because our usual one at Schnucks (now Kroger) was no longer.  We found this patch at an Ike's (thanks Audrey for the affirmative here).  I grabbed up an awesome green one for our mantel plus some others for elsewhere.

I put out some fall decoration around the house and made a new wreath for the front door this year.  The inspiration is via pinterest.

While working on October desktop today, I received a little message from the cutest baby on the block. Look at this smiley little owl... She's ready for fall, too!

Juliette (my perfect and precious niece) is growing so much and she is smiling all the time.  I love snuggling her and usually can't go a day without visiting.

(remember, just click this to open in a new window.. then right click to set as desktop background)

Has everyone decorated for fall?  Have you gotten a pumpkin spiced latte yet? 

foliage

It is November, and just 4 more Saturdays until the marathon.  I can't believe it, and I also can't believe that I ran 18 miles this past Sunday, what in the heck?  I'm crazy.

While I train/run all week I listen to my tunes and just try to get in the zone, and I look at a lot of foliage as I go [I think I've talked about this before].  I notice grass types, flowers, trees, and lately I've been noticing even more types of leaves because they are all on the ground (where I usually look).  I've been trying to learn how to determine the different types, oak leaves, maples leaves, dogwood leaves, magnolia leaves, and mostly ginkgo leaves.  I don't think there is a prettier tree than a ginkgo.  The leaves are a perfect and unusual shape, and the most beautiful yellow you've ever seen.  I know you all probably know what it looks like, but these are just beautiful, and I think I've convinced the t.dud that we need one in our backyard.

November is the time to see the pretty yellow and the cute little leaves on the ground.  Our November is booked solid with long runs consuming our weekends, plus a little anniversary getaway, plus thanksgiving holidays in Scooba, but this weekend I'm headed to one of the best places on earth [but will be missing one part of that].

 

miss you, fren.

Heading with Leslie & Cindi to visit the lake and enjoy the fall colors/foliage and some antiquing, and of course, 'Grandmother & Granddad.'  Leslie can hardly contain herself to see this beautiful place, and visit these two.  Enjoy November everyone, and savor every moment.

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tidbit

First of all, my 16-miler this past weekend was great!  I planned and prepared [mentally], and I got it done on a beautiful fall day.  The furthest I've ever run in my life [up to this point].  I had a great course, started at Leslie's ran through High Point, back to my parents house for my first water stop, where I saw little brother Scottie waiting for me with ice cold water. Thanks buddy!

This was about mile 5.5, and I took/ate my first Gu of the day.  Jesse told me about the Gu Roctane and that it "rocked" her run [ha!], so I tried it out and it was awesome. Really. 

What was not awesome was the flavor, texture, chewing of this gel substance, but Scottie had ice cold water waiting for me to wash it down. Sidenote: he was curious about this stuff, so I made him try a dabble, he gagged.

So now I'm just truckin' along, feelin' great, the knees are great, the body is great, and I'm just enjoying my tunes and the weather.  Next stop, Leslie's house for water before I hit the Greenline for the long-haul.  Got to her house around mile 8.5, and she had ice cold water and my Luna bar waiting for me.  I also grabbed my chews, which are also great to give you a little energy boost [not like roctane though].

 Now onto the Greenline for the remaining 7 miles.  The Greenline is awesome, people are riding bikes, walking dogs, strolling children, running, and it definitely kept me entertained the whole time, and I knew I was getting to see T at mile 10.5.  Go to Leslie's blog to read about her post from the Greenline Opening Party.  I was still feeling great (from roctane and luna bar I had eaten), and I was loving the weather and the atmosphere.

Hi T!  I was so happy to see him because I was very ready for some Gatorade and water, along with the 2nd Gu (just regular this time).  He made sure my knees were doing ok, and that I was feeling good.  It had already been almost 2 hours at this point, and the next time I would see him I would be done and at Shelby Farms.

Ran past some more happy people enjoying their Saturday, still listening to some good tunes, and then around mile 13, I reached Shelby Farms!  It is cool how they connected the Greenline into Shelby Farms, so I enjoyed the mystery of how I would be getting to Patriot Lake.  Got to the lake around mile 14.5, so just 1.5 mile left!! I can do this!         No I can't. Wall=hit.  It got harder this last mile and a half.  I was definitely getting sore, but it hurt to walk.  I was ready to finish.  

I made my way around the lake and I did it.  I ran a full 16 miles. Yipee! T was waiting for me with the rest of my Gatorade and water, and I sat and talked to him about my run.  It really was a great experience and made me not as nervous for the marathon [even though I would have 10 MORE MILES TO GO].

I know I can do this, I'm doing it for a great memory and for a great cause.

Last thing, one of the [many] reasons I love my job... I get to see flowers open up in one day.  Look how pretty!

tuesday morning

We had such a fun weekend this past weekend with the Lott's in town celebrating Aaron's platinum birthday.  Head over to Margie's blog to see a great recap, and Gib's new girlfriend/soulmate.

The Carters are loving this time of year, but really ready to get into the cooler temps, but this morning was a perfect temperature outside.  Here is what I'm enjoying this tuesday morning...

Pretty orange mums, little violets, and the Gib enjoying the weather outside.  He's a real cutie.  I think it's time for a pumpkin spice latte, but I need to find out how to make my own.

cheery little things

October brings happy to my days.  My parents went on a nice vacation this summer, and mom brought me back the most beautiful place mats (with coordinating napkins), but I haven't been able to use them.  October means I finally do.

Told you, beautiful, right?  I think she got them somewhere in France or Italy and are hand-painted (she went to too many places in one trip for me to keep track).  

Chilly mornings like these are a reason for me to wear these festive cozy socks that T got for me at Target the other day.  Gibson loves them too, and wishes they made them in his size. :)

Time to pull out the sweaters, scarves & boots!

hello there october

I have already been able to do a few of the things on the list below, which makes me very excited.  Pumpkin cookies are on the list for this week.  T and I found the perfect pumpkin that is sitting on our stoop, and we accomplished something awesome that we've been wanting to do for over a year, and I got some beautiful yellow mums for the front urns.  I don't want to sound all braggy, but I reveal phase 1 of our front landscaping!  That's right, we actually did it.

Feels pretty nice to drive up to a home with some bushes in the front beds.  Thanks for the help, Pam and Steve, we wouldn't have made the jump without a little push from the two of you!

Oh, and here is the perfect pumpkin I was telling you about.  The cute couple selling them called them harry potter pumpkins.

And thanks to the Commercial Appeal blog for the shout out about my fall post! And as usual the beginning of every month, I give you all a nice monthly desktop wallpaper, hope y'all are all still enjoying them!  This was an easy one for me, as I love pumpkins and fall.

Now time for another pumpkin spice latte.

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come on... fall

My favorite season is SLOWLY creeping in.

We had a little taste of it a few weeks ago, but the 100+ heat index has come back... and it's killing my marathon training.  I was an adult and got up early yesterday to do my run before church, and I'm so glad I did as the heat index yesterday, [note Sept 19] was probably 110.

T was standing outside the house clapping for me as I finished up the hill on Fiesta.  Thanks hubby, oh and he had a nice glass of ice water ready for me.

And this guy was cheering for me from inside.  :)

Here is what I'm most looking forward to in the upcoming season [in no particular order]:

1 - anything pumpkin flavored and pumpkin/fall decor.  decor might have to start asap to cheer me up in this extended heat!
2 - scarves
3 - boots
4 - sweaters & turtlenecks
5 - running during a brisk afternoon
6 - the lotts coming to visit
7 - gibson's "birthday" to our little family
8 - holiday festivities
9 - listening to the hubby in all his hunting excitement talk [that has already begun]
10 - [hopefully] planting some bushes in the front of our house!
11 - riding bikes around the neighborhood and the new greenway trail
12 - pumpkin run 5k

What are your fall favorites?

it's fall, y'all

Ok, I know... lame title, but I just had to.

It is October 1. A beautiful fall day in Memphis. I have been waiting for this season since, say, last Thanksgiving. I love fall. It's my favorite season. Pumpkins, scarves, cider, pies, leaves, soup, chili, boots, socks, blankets, hoodies, sweaters, layers, gloves, and the list goes on. Something else that is added to my list now that I'm a Carter is deer hunting.

This weekend is the opening weekend of bow [hunting] season, and Dudley is just jittering he's so excited. Tonight he [we] will be getting his attire and supplies ready for his first hunt of 2009. He cannot wait to be in his stand on Saturday morning.

[This post is not going to be about hunting.. don't worry]

One thing on the list above, soup. I love soups. I could eat some every day. Last week, I made that awesome tortilla soup, but this week I went for something more autumnal and made this great potato soup Jesse brought into my life. Let me tell you. It's awesome. Double Potato Soup is the name and we love it.

Double Potato Soup
1 Tbsp olive oil

2 onions, chopped

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

3 cloves garlic, pressed

2 cans chicken broth (or one big box)

1 tsp thyme

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (leslie's opinion was tainted because J accidentally put in a whole tsp)

salt & pepper to taste

2 cups half & half

In a soup pot, heat olive oil over med-high heat. Add onions and cook till translucent. Add sweet potatoes, potatoes, and garlic and cook another two minutes. Add the chicken broth, thyme, cayenne pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered until the the potatoes are tender, about 10-15 min.

Use a potato masher and squish the lumps in the soup as best you can. This soup is better not processed in a blender as it is heartier this way; however if you prefer it smoother, go ahead and blend away.

Heat soup to simmer, and salt and pepper to taste, add half and half and warm till hot, but don't boil or it will break.

Enjoy soup with some yummy Panera wheat bread and small salad. [only for me, not for tdud. no salad for that boy]