October is ....

I am running a bit late with my "October is" post but since we have had a lovely shift in weather for the cooler and I have been digging out some of my fall/winter clothes and observing the leaves, I am ready!
Autumn has always been my favorite time of year and after living in South Florida for so many years, I have a renewed love and appreciation for the seasonal cycle.

October is ...

Crisp ... crisp apples, crisp breezes & crisp, baked bread with a fluffy center ...

Last of the dragonflies in Utah ... thank you to my little dragonfly who posed so prettily for me with the autumn leaves ...

shorter days ... longer nights ...twinkly stars and seeing your breath at night ...

pumpkin!  pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and jack-o-lanterns ...

snow on the Timpanogos peaks ... what a surprise and a lovely one!

ghosts, ghouls and goblins ... trick or treats ... candy sacks overflowing ...

forests and mountains painted with brushes of red, orange and yellow ... piles of leaves to jump in ...

warm soup ... fuzzy socks ... hot chocolate with a side of ginger snaps ...

PINK for the cure ... time to spread awareness to the women you love & get the facts on breast cancer!

 What is October to you?

Pumpkin Mushroom Soup

Inspired by the Back Burner in Hockessin, Delaware - my Mom adopted this recipe about 25 years ago and it has quickly become become a family tradition, especially in October and November months.

• 2 TB butter
• 1/2 lb sliced mushrooms (or more if you would like )
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 TB flour
• 3 cup chicken broth
• 2 cup pumpkin (canned pumpkin can be substituted!)
• 1 cup cream (half and half works well too!)
• 1 TB honey
• 1 TB curry (or more to taste)
• S&P
• Sour Cream
• Croutons (NOT package - make your own!!)

In soup pot, saute mushrooms in butter and then remove.
In same soup pot, saute onions and then stir in broth, flour and pumpkin and bring to a boil.
Add honey, curry, S&P.
Return mushrooms.
Add cream and then heat on low to medium heat.
Serve with spoonful of sour cream in center and croutons.