The new season is approaching..

It was September 25, the fall Equinox had passed. The Autumn  arrived. A favorite time of the year occurs at the beginning of any seasons. I love the first days of fall, really all of fall. Indian summer days, pumpkins and squash, apples and the leaves. It could be that I was a fall baby, born in October and a Scorpio with all that implies. Sweater weather is not quite here but its coming. Snuggling in a hoodie and not sweating. There is a commercial tie to Halloween and Thanksgiving but there is so much more to enjoy in the fall  that I can ignore those things until the holiday dates get closer.Being outdoors in this weather just brings a smile to my face. Everyone is well acclimated in their the fall sports now; Sarah is running, Greyson is playing soccer, and David is trying to catch every last wave he can with out a wetsuit. Tad has even taken up
urging ( rowing) at school. The men's beer league is Monday and Wednesday for Jon. The beach is deserted and gorgeous. There is so much to do and so much to love about right now.

This past Sunday afternoon I took some time with a few of my favorite girls, Sarah and Katie the Nut. The girls wanted new profile pictures  and actually wanted me to take the pictures at this "photo shoot". Fall is that time of year I start taking every opportunity to snap some pictures of my kids. So when the time comes for a Christmas card shot I may already have that chore done. I love the outdoors now and spending that hour on the beach taking pictures was relaxing and fun for me. It would have been even more fabulous had my Canon battery not died  on my 7th frame. Thank you Steve Job's for my nifty iPhone..the pictures were great and I felt in the spirit. I went home and made a comfort food dinner for my family; homemade Mac and Cheese, Roasted Pork and Soy succotash. I can't forget the brownies. The out doors in the fall, sweat shirt on with my shorts. Beautiful skies. Smiles.

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My beautiful subjects<3

With the drop in temperature and the humidity that make the beach so amazingly pleasant also stirs my desire  to bake;bread, scones,cakes.To make big pots of scrumptious soups stew. Experimentation with the beautiful fall bounty is a must So far this year I have made Apple Blondie's,(from orchard picked apples) German apple cake with a plethora of cinnamon. I even  tutored my friend Suzi on the making of pumpkin scones to wow her family. Finally, a rich and warming Pumpkin, Kale and Black bean stew.This is the recipe I want to delight you with. It was made with a fresh Sugar pumpkin and leaves of curly Kale and packed in the protein and fiber with the Black beans. So with out further ado here is my recipe:

Pumpkin, Kale and Black Bean Stew ( vegan too)

1- 2-3 pound Sugar Pumpkin-peeled and diced

1 bunch of Kale ( look for lots of smaller leaves)-large stems removed and torn in bite sizes

6 Yukon creamer potatoes-diced

3 split carrots sliced ( half circles)

4 cloves garlic -minced

2 sweet onions -diced

1 cup cooked Black Beans

1 can petite diced tomatoes

4 cups Hearty Vegetable broth

3 sprigs Fresh Thyme

1 bunch Italian parsley - chopped

1 t Cajun seasoning

A hearty vegetable Broth is every bit as yummy as a Chicken broth in this stew.

Here are the diced ingredients ready for the sweating step. When making a stew or soup you should add  onions, garlic, celery, carrots (aka as mirepoix) to a small amount of oil or butter and begin the sweating process. This is the perfect time to add fresh herbs; Thyme , Bay leaves. These will infuse the vegetables as  they cook. Add 1 1/2 cups of the broth. It should just be visible through the vegetables. cover and allow the carrots to soften, about 10 minutes. Then add the cubed pumpkin, cover again and simmer10 minutes.

Check your seasoning; S&P and Cajun seasoning.Add additional 1/2 cup broth, Italian parsley,diced tomatoes, and Black beans then simmer for 20 minutes. Now blanch the Kale leaves in a pot of boiling water so they are tender, drain and set aside. Mix in kale leaves and simmer 10 minutes then serve with a hearty multi grain bread. This stew would also be lovely served in baked acorn squash halves and garnished with brown rice.

** This recipe is Vegan but can morph very easily by adding andouille sausage slices and replacing the

vegetable broth with chick or beef stock.**

My hopes are that you will enjoy your Autumn as I am enjoying mine. Spending time doing things you love with those you love. I hear we are in for an early winter...I love baking when it is snowing ;)