pumpkin & black bean soup

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speaking of pumpkins...granted i used the canned variety, but it's pumpkin, nonetheless, that makes this soup so delicious and quite tastey for the fall, cool crispy weather.

this pumpkin soup is really really easy and just as tastey.

ingredients:

2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 teaspoon of paprika

2-15 ounce can pure pumpkin puree

2-15 ounce can black beans, drained

2-14 ounce can light unsweetened coconut milk

2 cups vegetable broth

1/8 teaspoon of cayenne, omit or use less if you don't like spicy

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro...i used basil

4 teaspoons fresh lime juice...more to taste, i threw in an extra splash or two....i used lemon juice

1-1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel...i used lemon peel

stir cumin and paprika in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat 30 seconds. add pumpkin, beans, coconut milk, broth, cayenne and 3 tablespoons basil. bring soup to boil, stirring constantly. reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes to blend flavors. mix in lime juice and lime peel. Season soup with salt and pepper.

ladle soup into bowls. sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon basil.  serve up with some crusty bread...delish.

this makes quite a bit of soup....so freeze some if you wish.  we ate ours til it was all gone.  i might have to make another round of this tomorrow....SUPER SUPPER!

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i adapted this recipe from here, it has a 3 spoon rating here, that's a lie!!

fall is upon us...

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the weather is finally crisp here in austin and i am loving it...as well as seeing all the beautiful heirloom pumpkin varieties around town.

 image found here

margaux lange

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after a whole-hearted year and a half-ish of talking (read "emailing").  margaux and i finally did it.  we traded....yay!!! to my surprise a great little package arrived at the house last week with this yummy little creation in it.   i so love it, thanks margaux!!  go see margaux's other incredible works of art here and here.

new madonna ring..

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made with a beach pebble i picked up at montana de oro beach in san louis obispo, california during our august visit.  that place was heaven for me :O)  a local couple we met at the SLO farmer's market, who just happened to be amazing vegan chefs with the best ratatouille i have ever tasted, told us about the gem that is montana de oro.

crossing the finish line....

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i did it.....not with a fast time, but still, i did it....yay!!!  getting my ass kicked by bikram several times a week, i believe, lended to my success!!!  yay!!  here i am proudly crossing the finish line, with my family cheerin' me on.  it was a beautiful course along a country road lined with corn fields, old barns, farm houses and a pond.  it was fulfilling and quite lovely.  i may have found a new past time. now i will need more yoga to get rid of the soreness in my hips...ouch.  :O)

hills and hollows 5k/half marathon run...

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this weekend i will be helping my family with the hills and hollows 5k and half marathon run that is organized in honor of my late uncle, melvin fisher.  this will be my first year to be home for it and i'm even considering running the 5k....well, jogging, or just walking...hahaha. i do bikram yoga i should be able to jog a bit over 3 miles, right? well, i can always run a little, walk a little :O)  if you're interested in participating visit the website here.

 

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i love these crazy, bright, funky running shoes..

...little opal love...

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by one stone new york

 

i love this fossil opal clam necklace......it's so sweet and beautiful!! i wish i could hold it in my hand so i could see the flashes of color in the opal.  hmmm, if it were only made in oxidized sterling :O)

new work...

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well, the count down is on for my departure to st. louis for the clayton art fair. i am heading north one week from today.  i am debating on finishing a couple more pieces....but first i will finish up the pieces that are in their last stages. when is enough, enough?? is the question?  i am pricing, sanding, waxing, organizing, packing and freaking out a little....that it's almost here. i'm excited and exhausted all at the same time.  i'll be there with bells on!!  i just posted this piece and a handful of other new pieces that i will have at the show in my shop today. have a look.see.