Ah, Lovely Fall!

 How nice it is to feel the breeze through open windows again, to see sun shadows crawling down from the ceilings and painting leaf patterns low on the walls.  

Soon the grass will be cut for the last time and the lawn will be littered with leaves.

Something in me begins to relax and something else agitates with anticipation.  Warm colors and thoughts of comfort food lessen the drudgery of packing away summer toys and preparing to turn indoors for a season.

(1) PERFECT WHITE BEAN SOUP

This year, unlike others, I look forward to saying goodbye, at least for a while, to minor medical problems that seem to have taken the luster from the past several months.  Tomorrow, if all goes well, and I'm sure it will, I'll begin my journey back to the enjoyment of life.  

(2) QUICK PUMPKIN SPICE DESSERT

My intention is to flood the blog with warmth and wonderment through the coming holidays.  In the meantime, I'm bringing back some original postings for those who might have missed them in years past.  Enjoy.  Wish me luck.  And plan your own autumn regeneration.

(3) HOT RUSSIAN TEA

1-  Perfect White Bean Soup
1 lb. Dry White Beans (cover with water and soak overnight)
1 Ham Bone
3 Onions - coarsely chopped
1/2 bunch of Celery - finely chopped, include leafy tops
1 Tbsp Garlic - minced
1-2 c. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Salt & Pepper - to taste 
Rinse beans that have soaked overnight. In a large pot, bring beans, ham bone, onions, celery, garlic and 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil. reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours. Remove ham bone and cube the meat. Add the cubed ham back to the pot with enough of the instant mashed potatoes to bring the soup to the consistency (thickness) you would like.

2-  Quick Pumpkin Spice Dessert

Fold together a prepared box of Jell-O Pumpkin Spice Pudding with a container of whipped Topping.  Do not mix too thoroughly so that it maintains a “marbled” appearance. Quickly dip Ginger Snaps, one at a time, in milk and alternate layers with pudding mixture in 9” x 13” dish.  Begin with cookies and end with the pudding mixture.  Chill and serve.

3-  Hot Russian Tea

3 cups Sugar
19 oz. container of Lemonade Mix
20 oz. jar of Tang
3 oz. jar or unsweetened Instant Tea
2 Tbsp ground Cinnamon
1 tsp each of ground Cloves and Ginger

Mix all ingredients together in a very large bowl. Transfer to a suitable, airtight container.  Use 1 or 2 heaping spoonfuls per cup of hot water. Inhale, sip and enjoy.