First off it’s fall! I’m in FL but it actually feels like fall this year! Leaves are falling off the trees (even though they don’t really change color), we’re starting to have dips in the temperature and my favorite thing about fall in FL is my garden comes alive.
Giant Swallowtail & White M Hairstreak
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We had to take a trip down to Bradenton earlier this week. Although it was more of a not for fun business trip, we did get a chance to eat at one of my favorite spots on the beach. I forget the name of the place but they serve all you can eat pancakes with that gorgeous view! We also saw a pod of dolphins!
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Kevin and I went to the Matt Nathanson concert last night. To be perfectly honest, I’m not a huge fan of his music, but he was hilarious so I had a great time. Also – during the set break before Matt started, a girl sitting up in the balcony (where we were) proposed to her girlfriend. She had a huge banner unfurled down below by the general admission crowd with a picture of them and the proposal and everyone was chanting. Very cool! (She said yes)
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One thing I hate about summer is cooking. It’s too hot and we have the worst produce in the summer. FL sends the best stuff out of state and we basically have brown, moldy crap. But once fall rolls around and I get the urge to cook more. Here are two great recipes I’ve had this week.
Pumpkin Soup with Lentils – SUPER fast and easy. It’s in this months Better Homes and Gardens or watch the video I linked. (recipe is under the video)
Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili – This is a little more labor intensive but only because you have to peel and cut butternut squash. Otherwise you just open the cans and dump lol This is really good! I added cheese because what the heck kind of chili recipe doesn’t have cheese??
I’m thinking I need to make some treats next.
Are you guys enjoying fall? Getting ready for Halloween? Cooking up something good? Please share!
The chili sounds excellent! Especially w/cheese lol
ReplyDeleteI never thought about people in Florida getting crappy produce. And awesome about the concert!
I kept looking at the recipe and thinking where's the cheese?? lol
DeleteWe only have good stuff at the farmer's market. I was so upset when I moved here and realized this.
Ooh, love the butterfly pics & how cool about the proposal! The soups sound good. I made monster cookies yesterday with my kids & couldn't believe how much fun it was :) Also surprising, no monster cookies were burned! Lol
ReplyDeleteI tend to undercook cookies because I'm so afraid of burning them lol
DeleteWhat are Monster cookies?
yes so getting ready for fall here. I love the leaves changing . I get more baking more in the winter time. Pancakes on the beach :)
ReplyDeleteThe beach is so relaxing!
DeleteI'm loving fall and the leaves.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful butterflies. What an awesome thing to get to experience.
Speaking of Florida and produce, I miss Florida citrus. It's just not the same up here. However, I did notice that the corn is better up here (Kentucky).
I love butterflies, your garden must be good for you to get that much on a regular basis!
ReplyDeleteI've been addicted to beans lately, lentil and chili. It's getting frigid in my neck of the woods and these sounds perfect!
I have a few flower beds just for the butterflies. I think this year was the most I've ever seen. We've had a few hummingbirds as well.
DeleteGreat ramblings. I also love fall or autumn as we call it here. Not too hot, not too cold and I adore the changing colour of the leaves.
ReplyDeleteSuch a romantic proposal but also a very public one. Imagine the humiliation if she had said had said no.
I miss the leaves changing colors but when you live in FL long enough you start to notice the other markers for fall (autumn)
DeleteI thought there was a famous person up in our balcony the way everyone was screaming lol If that was me I would say yes no matter what and no privately if I was going to reject the guy lol They seemed really happy though,
Cooking in summer, yes no fun at all
ReplyDeleteI basically eat salad and takeout all summer lol
DeleteOh yes! less mowing. I've been able to go to every other week instead of every few days.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the upper 80's right now but supposed to have a cold front come through with 70's/50's. Can't wait!
I can't imagine not seeing the changing leaves...one of my favorite parts of Fall!! Guess I'll be able to get a glimpse of Fall in FL..we'll be popping down for a long weekend next month to visit family.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your fall recipes...I'm not much of a cook but even I get the urge this time of year!
We do have some change in color but mostly just red. I live in northern FL and we get pretty cold - below freezing quite a bit so at least there's a definitive change in weather.
DeleteLoving all the butterfly pics. Ours are gone now, but we had a few swallowtails and a monarch. Had some hummingbird moths this year. We don't always get them. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your ramblings!! :D
I love the hummingbird moths! I keep trying to get a picture but they don't stay still long enough.
DeleteWow, you're so lucky to have so many butterflies visiting your garden! I had an amazing fourth grade teacher who helped us hatch monarch butterflies, and all these years later I still think they're magic. <3
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
This was the most I've ever had. It's also the least time I've had to spend not he garden. I think they like it messier lol
DeleteI've caught quite a few coming out of the pupae and I still love it.
Butterflies relax me :-)
I love your butterflies!! So cool!!
ReplyDeleteThe veggie chili sounds awesome, but as soon as I read "labor intensive" i knew I wouldn't make it. lol.
I love your butterfly pictures. I hope to continue my gardening next Spring.
ReplyDeleteOh, my daughter would be in heaven in your garden! She absolutely adores butterflies, but I guess what girl doesn't, right? :) I'm going to have to try out those recipes, too.
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