I feel like all I can talk about these days is soup or the weather, the weather or soup. I sit down here and details about the smell of sautéing onions and garlic or the sweater I need to wrap myself up in every morning flow forth but not much else. It’s that time of year. Not quite hibernation but we’re getting there, so we need to pull our resources, stock up on some fatty meats and beans, and hunker down. I want bay leaf wreaths on every door, I sort of want to paint my bathroom black, and I definitely want to make more chili. I light a candle every morning and it remains flickering throughout the day, unless I go out. It’s a spicy fall smell. I’m playing Phil Keaggy on Pandora which takes me through a lot of great guitar; you should check it out. I think about dinner at 3 pm and actually look forward to making my way from couch to kitchen to start it. The opening of cans, the sizzling of meat, the dicing of onions. It’s methodical and makes this place feel more like home. I have little energy for much, but for cooking a hot meal these days? Endless, it seems. I stack the bowls, place them on the table, and ladle huge spoonfuls of black bean soup into each one while we sit around the table. The other night it was a triple batch and we have leftovers. We plopped scoops of sour cream and sprinkled grated cheese in ours. We’re keeping our windows wide open while we sleep and the room is chilly in the morning. Our duvet gets put to use. Even doing the laundry feels less chore-like and more keeping-home like these days. I can’t wait to pick out some pumpkins, maybe some mums, and place them on my stoop. Should I let Parker take some paint to them? Should we draw some black jack-o-lantern faces instead? Which color mums? I’m looking forward to seeing a fall stoop at my own house and others, looking forward to walking the aisles at the farm determining which pumpkins will make it home. We went for a six mile bike ride the other night to catch the sunset down this farm road. I think fall delivers the greatest sunsets, in this area anyway. I want a good recipe for crockpot apple sauce and I want to drink hot cider and eat cider donuts too. I waver on whether a day of 90 degrees would be welcome or not.
To encourage the feelings of coziness in your own home, might I suggest: this throw // this cd // this pullover // this soup // these mugs (for the cider) // these slippers // this blog post (which totally inspired mine) // + finally, the pumpkin candle of your choosing (or, if you’re me, whichever one smells best from your local Marshall’s)
Yes, that should do it.
Esther Olson says
Bridget, I came across your blog through Grace over at Camp Patton. What a great little corner of the interwebs!
I've been feeling the same about the weather and soup. Just wondering if you wouldn't mind passing on the recipe you used for black bean soup? It sounds so perfect for September. Thank you!
bridget says
Here it is! http://www.talesofmeandthehusband.com/2010/09/oh-yeah-and-black-bean-soup-recipe-but.html
Michaela Jean says
I totally am craving a pumpkin patch. And I am with you on this whole cozy thing except it's freaking 90 degrees here in Santa Barbara. Ugh send me some of your weather please.
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
bridget says
I've heard about you guys and your crazy heat wave. Most of the year, I'm insanely jealous of you SB folks though so I can't feel toooooooo badly for you.
Elizabeth Ivie says
Give me that stove.
bridget says
come here and get it.
judith g. says
I've been reading your blog for a while now. I grew up with Phil Keaggy as a close family friend and was blessed enough to have him sing me down the aisle at my fall wedding. I spend most of my fall listening to him and am happy that there are others out there who do as well! Thank you for sharing your world!
bridget says
no way! that's so neat. i'll have to tell steve (he introduced me to him.). his guitar-playing sooooothes me.
Licia says
I found another thing to love, apart from your writing, your pictures and you being you in general: your music recommendations – I really enjoyed the "Cd" 🙂
Now all I need is the weather to actually fullfil my need of soup, pumpkins, mugs with hot beverages in it and coziness.
bridget says
so good, right?! glad you enjoyed it too.
Ashley Smith says
I think it's funny that this post comes right after one where you're like "I can't wear pants anymore! What will I do when it gets cold?" Perhaps Minnetonka sells tall furry boots that will postpone the pants dilemma. 🙂
bridget says
fur lined maxi skirts. is there a such thing?
Kaysie says
I realized I do have one more internet secret to share – this soup. I double all the herbs, and add a bit more of the tomato, but it's very malleable and I'm sure you could tailor it your fam's taste 🙂
http://spoonful.com/recipes/tortellini-vegetable-soup
bridget says
THANK YOU. that looks right up my alley. i love tortellini.
Princess Burlap says
Bridget, I do so love your stories, especially these ones, these ramble-over-the-day tales. Additionally, if you find a recipe for crock pot apple sauce, share, won't you?
bridget says
You know it.
Ashley Smith says
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/10/homemade-applesauce/
Jess says
I wish I had more of your energy! But I do find fall pretty refreshing I guess would be the most appropriate word. I'm not much of a cook (at all!), but for homemade applesauce I just wait until I have enough unused apples hanging out in the fridge (usually gala apples) then peel and slice them up, add sugar (maybe not quite a cup?), a few cinnamon sticks and just let it sit in the crockpot on high until it's the consistency I want, so probably for about 5 or 6 hours. It's been awhile since I've done this, but pears are a really good addition too! My grandpa used to always do that with pears he had from his pear trees. Not a special recipe, but the taste is great and the smell is heavenly! 🙂
Christy says
1 bag of Granny Smith apples + 2-3 extra, peeled and sliced
1 cup water
1/4-1/2 cup sugar ( depending on how sweet you like it)
Put all ingredients in crockpot, sprinkle top with cinnamon, cover, and cook on high for about 3 hours or until soft. Delicious on its own, hot or cold…even better with whipped cream or a little vanilla ice cream!
Rachel says
Bridget, I'm a big fan of your blog, and your recipes here are soooo good. Seriously, I've made almost everything in the "food" section and these recipes never fail me. I most recently have been making your moms granola recipe and it is delish! I was hoping you might consider doing a post on what you will have stocked for when your baby arrives! I'm curious to hear how you plan for all the newborn craziness with other kids to feed at home. Do you plan to have specific things on hand or have meals in the freezer? I really need to do better prepping food before my next baby, because I pretty much had no idea what I was doing last time. But I've never tried freezer meals before. Help a sister out.
bridget says
i looooove hearing that the recipes are keepers in your house!!
that would be a good post if i could get my act together and actually make a bunch of meals. in fact, if i planned on it for a post, it would force me to do it. I WILL TRY RACHEL.
Blythe Fike says
Looonnning for this!!! Sausage+potato+kale soup and a warm baguette.
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