The wildest rain and hail storm blew in, unlocking the door…
Leaves began to turn…
As pages blew open.
Who's that over there??
Oh my, it's Mister Bingley!
Little Women calls at this time of year as well…
Cuddle up in a corner, and all of a sudden the laughter of the March sisters skips in.
During breaks I carefully rattle through the box of dried roses from spring.
I flutter about, doing this and that.
Dusting, going through drawers.
I stand in the studio in front of the painting door.
An eye there, a brush of hair here.
Then it is evening.
The evening.
What evening?
The evening that brought us fall.
One storm and here it is.
A garden kissed by autumn.
Flowers begin to get crispy, their leaves changing from green to golden.
The air is moist, the light is blue grey.
I wash some of the garden leeks.
Trimming and chopping.
I decided to make a rustic potato leek soup, for the first time, in my own invented way.
I have read many a recipe on how to create this exquisite concoction.
But still, I opted for invented 🙂
I washed and chopped up the leeks, putting them in a pan with olive oil and a dab of butter, cooking them down slowly. Careful not to brown them.
While that happened, I drizzled a good helping of olive oil into a dutch oven, just enough to pool a little at the bottom. Then I tossed in 8 washed small/medium potatoes (skins on), that I cubed into small pieces.
I did say this was rustic, didn't I?
As the potatoes began to brown and break down, and were about 3/4 of the way cooked, I put in 5 cups of chicken broth. I tossed in a hearty pinch of salt, a small pinch of pepper, one 12 oz. can of evaporated milk and a fistful of granulated sugar. Oh ya, and half a stick of butter 🙂
Then stirred.
(Why sugar? Once, while cooking at a gentleman artist's house 18 years ago, he told me it brings out the flavor of the potato beautifully and makes them more tender - then tossed some into the potatoes he was cooking. I remembered that, and gave it a go. It worked amazingly. Even if it was or wasn't true, do it anyways 😉
I then tossed in the leeks, with the oil they were cooked in, and stirred again.
I stirred and stirred as the mixture came to a boil.
Then I turned the heat to med/low and covered, setting the timer for 30 minutes, and stirring occasionally.
The soup began to thicken up, and I used a potato masher to mash the veggies and potatoes up a bit.
I opted not to puree the whole thing, but to just mash it by hand enough to break up the potatoes a bit, but still have little bites of potatoes and leaks on the spoon.
We ate a bunch that night.
However, after it was cooled and put in the fridge overnight, it thickened like mashed potatoes.
So, I put in 4 cups of water, a teaspoon of Knorr powdered chicken bouillon, and a dash of pepper.
I boiled it up stirring with a whisk, and it was even better.
Point is, if you want to add the the extra water, powdered chicken bouillon and pepper early on, when you initially add the milk and chicken stock, you can 🙂
It was delicious.
I wasn't sure how Mister Lovee would react, as he doesn't like creamy or white saucey foods.
Last night he said, I want to talk to you about that soup.
Then he went on to say that when he was a kid he took the train into NYC with his grandma to pick up some supplies for his bar mitzvah. She then took him to Radio City Music Hall for a show, and then out for the best potato soup he ever had in his life.
Then he said, this soup you made brought me right back to those very memories, and was just as good if not better than the soup I had on that memorable evening with my grandma in New York.
So, I guess the invention worked 🙂
I garnished mine with sliced avocados and basil.
Let me tell you, it was decadent.
I highly recommend it.
You can also garnish it with a dollop of sour cream.
And even add some homemade bacon bits for a kick, if you are a meat eater.
But just as is, with the creamy avocado and basil, oh my!
I had pomegranates from the garden for dessert.
Mmmm, so fresh.
Pumpkins and gourds of all kinds are falling from the sky.
No really Chicken Little, they are 😉
Down they come, to reachable heights.
Although there are about 6 so far up in the tree, I am not sure how they will come down.
Concussion style probably 😉
A few have obliged us with an easier way to grasp.
Down they droop.
Did I tell you the oranges are ripening sooner than usual?
Normally it is January or later when the orange trees ripen up.
I have snuck ever so many so far.
The skins are so oily and fragrant.
So oily in fact, the the orange oil drips down my hands as I peel the orange.
Just awesome, love the scent.
They are so fresh and ever so sweet, it's astounding.
Of course, as I am photographing, someone walks right into the picture.
Hi Miley, you sweetie.
Oh, you want me to go running around the yard with you?
Okay, let's go…
Let me remind that, all the while, everything I am doing inside and outside, Matty is following behind me.
And if I turn around, he gets right behind me again.
And when dad comes home from work, it's wrestling time, which Matty instigates and loves.
He is always there.
Just not always in the pics, as he scoffs and takes off if I point the camera his way.
He must get that from me 🙂
Anyhow, we set out, admiring giant dahlias for however much longer they stay.
Brisk jaunts through corridors of bushes and trees…
Admiring pink clouds outside the gypsy wagon.
Noting that one of the pecan trees is holding on, not wanting to turn yellow just yet.
All the while, some mischievous magic tries to nip at our ankles.
Some sort of autumn tickle in the soul that turns up every year about this time, is here.
It's not like the frolic and flutter of Halloween.
It isn't just holiday excitement.
It's more like, getting cozy in our worlds, or something like that?
Bundling up?
Hot chocolate.
I don't know, but it allows for more pensive comforting moments, it seems?
Time indoors and time to reflect perhaps?
It's a feeling.
A knowing.
Can you feel it too??
It can't just be me, it must be you.
It's such a quiet week, with a distinct shift.
I hear clanking of knitting needles, and a foot on the sewing machine pedal.
The oven door opens, something baking.
The clicking as the stove flames turn on.
The soft boil of soup.
I smell fire in the air, and coolness on my nose and toes.
What do you hear?
Smell?
Love, V
Vanessa:
I think you’ve captured the feeling of this season perfectly! Cozy and all orange glow and pink clouds.
The soup sounds delicious…well, you know, except for the leeks because they are too much like the “O” word for me.
That’s so cool that you brought back such a wonderful memory for Lovee. Tastes and smells can do that, can’t they?
I blogged about my little world yesterday, and although you are more in the country than I am, I can see we are both looking at our world in a similar way.
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
The shortening days combine with cooler temperatures dipping quite low at day break and day done opening wide the shutters of the mind’s imaginations. A brewing and a stewing of cold weather soups and stews full of creative stories to be told in fabric, thread, canvas and paint. Exciting possibilities abound! Enjoy!
Big furry love from the Delicious.
Have a great day!!
Always, Queenie
Hi Vanessa! What a wonderful post. My hubby makes a potato leek soup that is quite similar to yours; so good on rainy chilly days. I also love picking up a book to read on days like this – there is nothing more lovely than cuddling up with a favorite story, snuggled up next to furry babies. Hope this note finds you well. Miss you. xoxo
I hear the sound of a bowl being served up just for me LOLOL xoxo
What lovely pictures once again!
I love potato leek soup! I used to go to an Irish restaurant near me that had very good potato leek soup.
I don’t think I’ve ever made it. I’ve made cream of potato soup but not with leeks. I’ll have to give it a go!
I just made a yummy baked chili that has red wine in it! I make it a lot this time of year.
It’s getting down in the 20s tonight & only 40s tomorrow. Maybe I’ll make some vegetable soup next!
Isn’t it funny how the weather influences our menu choices!
Yesterday tomorrw at noon,
Blowing across the winds typhoon.
All of the memories flying past
The dreams and silence of at last.
And then a dancer across the round,
A dot above a twirl a hop, in sound.
Really reindeers fly in a moment of goodbye.
The ancients dream a memory seen,
Just in time for tea.
Through the corridors with thee.
Trinkets here and over there,
I really love to wear the where
Of a dream..across brisk giant dalihas
That dance in the breeze of autumn winds.
And then who did I see,
V.V. Autumn Queen standing with seeds.
Aaahhhwhoo said the wind and on to above,
Across rainbow bridges to those we love.
And so admire in heart,
Our love does never part.
And so to night with the wind a wake ,
Tea and cakes I shall bake.
With a grin and dash to all around,
Desert dancers to be found,
With the savory stew,
Future dancing too.
It is an Indian summer here and I have trekked across the wetlands coast with PaChuco we have had cocoa and crumpets with a Great Blue Heron, Tea and crackers with White Hawk, Nibbled a bit of sage on Hummingbird Highway, and dined with ravens over pumpkin pie and hot apple cider. The delight of food to go.
Cheers across the moments of dawning light. XOP Pinksterita
I’ve been so bored with my old soup recipes and I’m totally excited to give yours a go. Thanks so much for that. I looks ridiculously yummy.
You know, I’m sure you get this all the time but I just love reading little snippets of your life. I’ve had such a crummy day and I’m tired of kids and the husband so I’ve snuck off to have ME time. I’ve yelled all day long and possibly told one of them that I was going to “cut them.” Thankfully I notice another blog entry to read. When I start reading I can immediately feel my blood pressure go down. I have you to thank for that.
Thank you.
P.S. Kiss puppies for me. I’d kiss Rocky for you but right now he’s a muddy boy.
xoxo
Yum – the potato soup looks delicious. I’ll have to find some leeks and try making it (with vegetable broth though, since I’m vegetarian.)
I’m visiting my family in a few weeks. My Madre and I are driving into Oklahoma especially to see my Grandma. I’m so excited as I haven’t seen in her in a few years. We’re going during the Thanksgiving time frame, so I’ve been scouring Pinterest for all manner of yummy recipes. I am thinking also that I’ll try to make gift bags of your caramel kettle-corn recipe because I KNOW that everyone will adore that! 🙂
My boyfriend asked me to inquire about your garden, specifically the orange trees. You might remember he’s a plant-lover and gardener also. I always discuss your crops and what’s blooming or making fruits and he’s constantly freaking out about it. Hahaha! “What zone in she in? It snows there, right? Does she have to cover her trees?” (etc, etc.) LOL
I can only imagine the wonderful cooking smells in your home…Everything sounds so very yummy. Your photos are all suitable for framing.
It is fall here in Michigan.. Leaves are flying off the trees and raking begins. Thank goodness we don’t have to bag them up, we have woods behind our house where they can rest during winter. Our tempetures and falling and snow will fall soon. Getting out my fleece jackets and it’s off to work today.
Have a great day Miss Vanessa
Vanessa, you never fail to delight! Though we live in such different climates, your beautifully strung together words and vivid photos unite us all the world over. Thank you for capturing the season so magically!
As I sit here, far North East of you, in my little heated cottage, I look forward to this month of reflection and hot cocoa, my children putting on their mittens and boots, and the smell of, well, of cold, in the air and drippy noses and kisses and snuggle under warm woolen blankets with chilly toes and hot cups of tea on Sunday morning.
Oh how glorious it is to be alive! Happy Thursday!
All of these photos are from your yard? I refer mainly to the one of Miles and the pecan tree and the huge cactus! You can wander in this scenic wonderland at your leisure?
You put my fields to shame. I have too much rustic and tumbledown, I shall take these slumbering months to rethink, redesign, and dream.
Hahaha, that is funny Misha – okay so I am in zone 8b, a bit cooler than actual Tucson too, as I am at a higher elevation than Tucson. We have to cover the citrus trees and the ferns when it freezes. We have huge baskets of sheets and blankets actually, just for the garden.
The annoying part is when the tree tall prickly pears freeze, and hundreds of pads fall off. Last year I moved 13 wheel barrows of dead prickly pear to the brush heap. It was not fun.
It snows once or twice a year, mostly in February if it is going to stick (oops, someone just bonked my hand away from the keyboards for attention, haha).
It does get very cold at certain points in winter, cold for us. But not like Wisconsin cold or anything like that.
But cold enough that the birdbath freezes and breaks, or that water pipes freeze and burst, so we have to insulate for winter.
So, we do have winter for sure. Most everything goes dormant though, like the apricot tree, plum trees, fig tree, pomegranate, peach tree and pecan trees. So we don’t have to worry about them at all.
There ya are, some garden tid bits. Ask me anything, I love garden chatter 😉
Love, V
Yes, that is my yard. It’s a bit more shabby in person I dare say 😉
I have a path that I walk and wander around.
But it is beautiful. Mister went out of his way to make it like a park setting, working around the big old trees that were already here for 100+ years, and adding shrubs and things. Then I came along and added more trees and shrubs.
He was smart to put trees and things all around the property line, so we feel a bit insulated here and there.
It’s a good place to be 🙂
Pinksterita, you are magic.
Of course there is 😉
Lovely Queenie, Your kingdom is beautiful!! 😉
Theresa! So wonderful to see you. Oh yes, snuggling with fur, my fave 😉 Hug yours for me, k? xoxo
Oh, mittens and little faces, cold in the air…. I had to bundle up to go to the super last night to get some things to make chili. It was sooooo chilly. Stay warm in your cottage miss 😉
Miss Linda, I love that you have woods behind your house, you must get all manner of wildlife??
Oooo, that sounds yumm! I know, it’s like the last thing you want on a cold day is a frozen banana, hahahaa!! But a hot bowl of somethin, yay 😉
Stacycakes, I need a fresh pic of Rocky, I neeeeeeed one 😉 Pleeease xoxo
My dear, I have followed your blog for quite some time now and have never commented before. Peeping in each day is one of the highlights of my day. I envy your magical place, and like to think that a part of me lives there too! 🙂 I am a Halloween lover too, as well as having the soul of a gypsy. Today’s post nearly brought tears to my eyes, thus prompting me to finally comment. I want nothing more than to stay at home and putter around the house and cook right now, in the crisp Autumn air. Thank you for feeding my soul for so long. Much Love, N
Yep, I am definitely going to be making that soup! I have always liked soup, but for some reason this fall season I am SUPER into it. I love soup! It is one of my favorite things to eat right now. And to make! I really love making it because it is one of the few things I feel comfortable just going for without a recipe to follow. Inventing! It makes me feel so accomplished to be able to just make something from scratch all on my own without following someone else’s directions. I just made stew last night and I have a lovely little pumpkin that is going to become soup this weekend. Then after that your delicious looking leek and potato soup is up next!
I am so glad fall is here. It is my favorite. Mister B’s parents just bought me the cutest little fire pit with moons and stars all around the outside to use in the backyard. I can’t wait to use it. Even though Halloween is over, magic is still in the air. A cozy sort of magic now, ya know?
Ps. We always have some kind of delicious soup on at Chantilly, but my two absolute favorites that we do are Pumpkin Jalapeno and Asparagus Brie (just in case you need some flavor combo ideas for more inventing). They are sooooo gooood!
Hummmm, les yeux se régalent, les recettes donnent envie d’y goûter et toujours d’aussi jolie photos….l’automne vous va très bien !
Vanessa, your soup looks absolutely delish!!! Oh my, I’ll bet it was too! Such a great compliment Mr. Lovey gave you as well. Oh yes, I feel what you are talking about…a certain magical transformation occurs. It is indescribable but just the same it happens. Oh what a enchanting world and universe in whch we live🖤
xoxo
Dena
Reading that I could just smell the oranges. Seriously. That is one of my favorite fruits and scents. (I have been dusting today with orange scented furniture polish, hmmm).
Your soup looks so good. I must try that. Potato soup is my favorite. I usually put cheese in mine. What a wonderful complement from Mr. Lovey.
Your garden is amazing 🙂
Mmmmmmmm yuuuummmy everything you post that you cook looks delicious ……when I cook it is a disaster lol
Xoxo Gina
Oh! I haven’t read ‘Little Women’ in such a very long, long time. I adore the movie with Susan Sarandon, and Wynona Rider in it. I do have many of Louisa May Alcott’s books. I think the first book I ever read of hers is ‘Under the Lilacs’. I may have been eleven when I first read it (we didn’t have computers, or movies on CD back then, let alone VHS players). We read instead! Or climbed trees and made up our own stories. I sewed most of my clothing for junior high and high school, just because it was a treat to do so. No clothes from China for anyone, as that scenario in our economy had not yet happened. I miss those more simple days when life wasn’t so much about gain and prosperity. We lived, and laughed and had good times with not a care in the world as children. So I could totally relate to the good times the March sisters had.
Your potato, leek soup looks so heavenly scrumptious! We do have a good grocery store where most of the produce people are Asian, and they do know how to purchase good leeks. I actually purchased some decent looking russet potatoes at Wal-mart too. And I like your addition of evaporated milk. When I make my oyster stew, I use evaporated milk, water, and a sprinkling of powdered Thyme, and butter. I saute the canned oysters (cut up in chunks) in butter (and I try to find Oysters from our OWN Pacific Ocean, not Korea!) and of course I use salt and pepper to taste. A very comfy stew to eat, along with Ritz crackers. This is one reason I like Autumn so very much. I like to be able to get cozy with a blanket when it is cooler weather and eat a good bowl of chowder or soup! Thank you for these lovely photos.
And your gourds and pumpkins still ‘coming down’ out of the sky…they must be very magical to fly from the sky! Bibbidy, Bobbidy, Boo!
Ta! Ta!
Miss Teresa
That soup looks so, so good, V.
Your cooking escapades are enchanting to see, especially in your last post too! And the sweet coziness that Autumn is bringing your way 🙂
Thank You Vanessa for My escape into Fall wonderland.I still don’t know how gourds and pumpkins get into and hang from trees.Am I that much of a suburban girl? Yes I am.You are blessed to have Your Man and He is Blessed to have You.What a darling couple You make 🙂 Love Denise
Miss Denise, the seeds sprout up around the trees, and then the vines crawl
up the tree and into the branches. The vines flower no matter where they
are, bees pollinate them easily, and then poof, you have gourds and pumpkins in
your tree. But the vines do start out growing in the ground by the tree
and then crawl up into it 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/9/2013 8:25:40 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
We have the most gentle, magical snow falling here tonight. It’s melting as it hits, but it’s oh so enchanted in flight.
It is so hard to imagine fall in Arizona,
but you have described with words and pictures
so beautifully. My leaves are almost all now
on the ground, a quietness has settled in, quilts
and socks are now out and tucked about. Winter
will soon be here.
SNOW!!!!!!??????????? Oh my!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/9/2013 4:09:18 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Marilyn, fall here is slow in coming. The trees are just turning, and
some of the plants/trees that turn first, like the peach tree, are already
losing their leaves.
But other trees like the Apricot, has not even thought about turning yellow
yet.
It was 80 something degrees F here today. Warm. But it cools
off into the 40s at night.
Its warm mellow days and cool nights right now. In the height of
summer it is 100 all day and 89+ all night. But we do get a winter
here. And it does get coldie 😉 with a little snow and a few
freezes. But never ever below zero. Maybe 18 Fis the lowest
give or take a few degrees.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/9/2013 4:41:19 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Mmmmm… your soup sounds and looks soooooo good! I will have to try it out. I love potato leek soup. ^-^
It’s super chilly here now. The leaves are turning (the one that didn’t get blown off the trees with the gusty days we had a little while back…), but we have so many evergreens, that sometimes it’s hard to tell. ^-^
The air has that feeling that you’re talking about though… the bundle up, snuggle down, grab your tea/coffee/cocoa & knitting or a book and just sit or lay quietly.
XOXO
Your posts are so very warm, vibrant, and beautiful, Vanessa. <3 I thank you for sharing. Your soup truly does sound AMAZING.
That soup….sounds incredibly yummy. And how beautiful that it brought back such a dear memory for your sweetheart. 🙂
What a brilliant story teller you are, dear Vanessa….
And you have pomegranates growing in your garden??!! Ok, now I am convinced that you live in the Garden of Eden… 🙂
xoxoxoxo
Well, it is a garden of eden where I water. And where I dont water,
its the garden of empty desert sand. Eeeeks! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/13/2013 8:58:03 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,