First soup of the season~~

~Time for soup~

Maybe I'm rushing the season a little. I'm a soup lover. I love the comfort of soup and the coziness of making pots of soup.
On most autumn and winter weekends, I make two big pots of soup. They hold me all week. I still have to add a hearty salad or some grainy bread for it to be a meal for my DH.

I could easily live on good soup. This time of year is especially bountiful with lots of fresh vegetables at the Farmer's Markets and farm stands.
Today I made my first pot of soup of the season. It's a simple, low fat soup.
I started with sauteed onion and celery- a little chopped garlic at the end.
I added low-fat homemade chicken stock, a can of petite diced tomatoes, some fresh basil, salt and pepper. I tossed in two chunks of cheese rinds {the Italian grocer gives them to me and I freeze them. They add so much flavor to soups}.
Simmer this for about an hour, then add some diced zucchini. Simmer 10 minutes {I don't care for soft zucchini}.

That's it!
Served with grated Romano and a tiny drizzle of olive oil.
Add some per-cooked Orzo for a heftier soup.

~*~

This soup is not the Minestrone pictured here- but a simple, toss-together, last minute soup.

Do you have a favorite soup recipe to share? You can be sure that I will be sharing lots of my special soups recipes for months to come.

~Bon Appetit~

Prelude to Autumn~

~Back to school~

With labor Day behind us-many will be enjoying the routine of back-to-school. Life slows down for some and the pace quickens for others. There are schedules to keep, practices to attend, homework to be done. For those of us with children gone from the nest, it can become a time of rhythm~ setting goals, catching up from the care-free days of summer.

~Breezes~

I like to open the windows and let the early autumn air drift in.

Sometimes the distant scent of a wood smoke makes it's way into the house.

I love that!

~Wood for the winter~

I love to look outside at our woodpile! It reminds me of the comfort it will bring this fall and winter.

~Enjoying the fire~

Whatever autumn has in store for you, I hope you can enjoy this special season. For me, it is a season of renewal, rhythm, special scents and preparing for winter.

~*~

Please Join Me~

~Alfresco Dining~

End of Summer Dinner

~*~

Please join me for a little outdoor dining .

~Menu~

~*~

Roasted Corn Chowder
Caprese Salad

Boiled Maine Lobster

Steamed Clams and Mussels with lemon butter

Petite Red Boiled Potatoes with Rosemary Cream

Prosecco

Barefoot Contessa Brownies

{I never said this was a low-fat meal}

Limoncello

If I could have all of you over for an end-of-summer dinner, this is what I would serve.

Good Maine foods~ perfect for an evening of friends and lots of great conversation.

The candles are lit, Michael Buble' is singing, the crickets are creaking and there is a whisper of a soft breeze.

~*~

Have a wonderful Labor Day

Image: Travel

My Mother

~Mary Carmel Giovanniello Johnson~

~Mom~

It doesn't seem like it's been twenty years since we lost you. So young, so beautiful-the heartbeat of our family.

Erin and Jack will never know the amazing woman you were. Jonathan has made you proud and you will forever be in his dear heart. You never got to meet his lovely wife Amanda. Oh what a loving Great Grandmother you would have been.

A day doesn't go by that I don't want to tell you a little secret or share some little tale.

I love you more today knowing the unconditional love a Mother has for her children.

Rest easy Mom~

We love you.

Labor Day Weekend~

~Women in labor~

Lest we forget the women and men that help keep our country running and growing strong.

~Men in labor~

This is the perfect time to express a sincere "Thank-You" to the women and men in labor-oriented workplaces.
~*~
Have a safe, end-of-the-summer holiday weekend.

My Treasures~

~Some of my Jewels of the Sea~

{I apologize for the poor quality photos}

The sea glassing on the Chesapeake Bay was spectacular!

I have never been sea glassing when you could bend down and pick up as much beautifully-worn sea glass without some digging. I was in paradise.

The first day we went to two different spots and I filled my bucket twice.

~Just a few special colors~

The second day we scoured two new rocky shores and they did not disappoint. That was the day that I found a beautifully worn stopper. My friend had to drag me away from the beaches. We were crawling under piers {a few spiders...eeek!} But it was worth it.

~Sea glass separated by color~

I have separated most of the glass by color and quality. I found some rare pieces- a small piece of orange, some cobalt, periwinkle, yellow and some nicely patterned shards of pottery.

The twelve hour drive was a breeze. My girlfriend and I chatted non-stop the whole trip down and back- it was heaven.
I never did weigh my findings, but would guess I brought back 30 plus pounds of lovely glass.

~*~

Later this winter I will do a little more sorting and editing. The pieces that don't make the final cut will be tossed back into the sea for someone else to treasure when a little more worn.

~*~
"Time will bring to light whatever is hidden; it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor".

~Horace