Pumpkin Harvest Soup

Oh, sweet October. When there's a chill in the air, there is nothing better than a bowl of soup, a comfy sweater and a cup of hot chocolate. Harvest soups are one of my favorites. And this chilly October Monday calls for something warm and snuggly. Here's a yummy soup for your belly with all in-season veggies (for nc).

hello october by celeste-hurtig-arrigo featuring a grey racerback tank

what you need:
1 tbsp olive oil

2 red potatoes, peeled and chopped

1/2 sweet potato

1/2 large onion, chopped

1/2 turnip, chopped

4 1/2 cup(s) chicken broth

1 1/2 cups cooked pumpkin

salt
ground pepepr

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 ground ginger

5-8 sage leaves, chopped up

a spring of thyme, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream 

Heat olive oil in  a large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, turnip and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Stir in pumpkin. Using an immersion blender, purée mixture until smooth.  Stir in salt, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, sage and thyme. Increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in cream and heat thoroughly. Serve and enjoy!

To use fresh pumpkin, cut a baking pumpkin in half, deseed and bake at 350 F for 45 minutes to an hour. Once soft and cooked through, spoon out pumpkin. 

first day on the job

Firsts are always exciting. Often nerve wracking, full of emotion, kind of scary, yet thrilling.

Today is the first day of October. One of my all time favorite months, favorite seasons. The chill in the air when you first wake up, all the fun fall festivities, the fair, carving pumpkins, sipping hot apple cider, boots and scarves. Oh its just all so good!

via

Also, today is my first day as my own boss. I had 6 weeks "off" playing hostess and travel companion but now I'm back to "work".... Part-timing it until we move in and settle. It's going to be a lot of planning and calendar crunching for the first few weeks. Re-doing the timeframe a tad, revamping this and that. Who knows, I might even send out an email or two. I'll also be searching for a semi-permanent workspace outside of my four walls. Thoughts, anyone?? Otherwise, I'll wind up polishing doorknobs or baking another set of cookies. Distraction, you are my enemy! And sugary goodness, you are not helping! 

I am so excited for today. To make this endeavor feel more real. To tackle the whole working from home thing. To motivate myself. To turn our dreams into reality. To be a small business owner. To make pizza. 

Here's to a first of many. 

Oh and any of you that work from home.... Please share your tips, tidbits and things to help keep me on track. I'm also an office supply junky, so would love to know your recommendations for planners, supplies, etc.