Tuesday, October 8, 2019

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S OCTOBER?...












You know it's October when..
simple grocery store blooms 
are the prettiest 
they have ever been.






You know when..
a trip to Tuesday Morning 
gives you big ideas for
Thanksgiving and Christmas.






You know when..
a bowl of hot soup 
is the best 
you've ever tasted 
(recipe to follow).






You know when..
you watch (blurry) squirrels 
bouncing walnuts 
off of the 
neighbor's tin roof.










I never thought I would be able to say this but, this particular Santa, I drew and painted all the details myself. I did trace around the figure but the details are all my own free hand!


You know when..
you have painted 
the last of the Santa's 
(maybe) and...





...one more 
for the autumn kitchen.








You definitely know when..
you let the dogs out, 
for the last time of the day, and 
the scent of
wood smoke 
is all around you.






 You also know it is October when...

The leaves are changing.

You are humming Christmas songs.

Hallmark Christmas movies are about to start.

When you are pulling Christmas decorating magazines out of the cupboards... 







...and pumpkins
 aren't the only ones 
wearing sweaters.





Another reason
 we know it is October
 because today is our wedding anniversary. 

 Can you imagine 
those two young country bumpkins (above)
 are 59 years older today? 

 Happy Anniversary 
to my very dear best friend,
 The Captain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Recipe for
Chunky Potato Soup:
You really need to try this soup.
  It is so yummy and 
certainly hits the spot 
on a cool autumn evening. 
 The potatoes cook up so smoothly,
 leaving small chunks for texture. 
 Reheat without adding 
any additional liquid.



2 cups water
2 chicken bouillion cubes
3 cups cubed, peeled potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives


1.  In a 3-quart saucepan, 
over medium heat, combine water, 
bouillion cubes, potatoes, onion, celery,
 salt and pepper. 
 Bring to a boil. 
 Reduce heat, 
cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes
 or until potatoes are tender.

2.  Add 1-3/4 cups milk. 
 Combine flour with remaining milk, 
stir to form a smooth paste, 
add to soup, stirring constantly. 
 Bring to a boil,
 boil and stir for 2 minutes 
or until thickened and bubbly.

3.  Add a small amount of 
hot liquid to sour cream, 
stir to mix.  
Gradually add to soup,
 stirring constantly,
 heat through but do not boil.

4.  Add parsley and chives 
just before serving. 
 Yield 4-6 servings.





Be sure to add the parsley and chives. 
 They give it a really fresh taste.
 I don't know where I got this recipe,
 maybe even from one of you, 
but no matter.  
It is so good.

I am almost finished reading
 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

I have to say that 
I am really enjoying it.

 It almost has an element of 
The Secret Garden to it, 
but that story was for our childhood,
 this story is for those of us 
who have grown up 
but still like to go back and 
visit once in awhile.


Enjoy the wonderful autumn days.



...Judy...







Sharing today at:



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14 comments:

  1. Thanks for the yummy recipe. I was just thinking about my menu for Christmas. :-) Janice

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  2. Congratulations on the anniversary...at this point another year is truly worthy of celebration. We acknowledged our 51st this year, and then went about our business...as life was a bit crushing at the time! I loved all your photos and your Santas/Belsnickles are adorable...so much fun to paint!

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  3. Oh dear! Happy Anniversary!. And that is a yummy recipe!

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  4. Happy Anniversary, Judy! How wonderful...so many years together. I love it! I also love your Santa. You are so talented. Is there anything you can't do?? And thank you for the recipe. I love potato soup but have yet to find a recipe I like. I trust yours is delicious. I'll let you know how it turns out! Enjoy the evening! xo

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  5. Hi Judy! Happy Anniversary to you and the Captain!! Today Nathan and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! How cool that we share the same day!! xoxo

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  6. happy anniversary DH and ihad our 59th in aug.
    man where does the time go?i am going to try your soup soon .......nancy

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  7. Happy Anniversary. Such a nice wedding photo of the two of you. I bet it seems like only yesterday, where does the time go?
    I just love the Santa you painted. Does it take you long to paint them? Won't be long we'll be decorating for Christmas.
    Betsy

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  8. Love your wedding picture! How sweet and I'm not ready to see Santa yet, just now accepting it's fall LOL

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  9. Happy Anniversary to you! Our anniv. is Oct. 18th - only 16 years for us (late marriage) but seems like a lifetime sometimes! Your first photo of the flowers with all your bright pillows is just gorgeous.. definitely worth framing! Yes I can see the signs of autumn around our town too.. many changing colors and even in our yard there is some orange and red, which is wonderful to set my eyes on. Love your hand drawn Santa. You are so good! We've had such gorgeous weather here but the next couple of nights are going to be COLD.. was 25 last night and down to 16 tonght supposedly. Yikes.. definitely FALL! Have a good week! Marilyn

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  10. Happy Anniversary!

    the soup sounds really good, I will give it a try and your Santa painting is adorable, very cute.

    It is beginning to seem like fall here also, I got all of my decorations up and it really makes me happy. I try to include both Halloween and Thanksgiving...and then Christmas! But meanwhile I intend to enjoy this current season.

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  11. There is so much here that is so inviting -- warm soup, beautiful flowers, Santas with marvelous textures and all those colors.

    But the best thing of all is your anniversary! Much joy and many happy wishes to you!

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy