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? 

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]