Italian Bean Soup & the begining of the season...♥

On a blustery November day is there anything better than a pot of soup bubbling on the stove?

I don't think so either.  I was home this past Friday because of Veteran's Day and because it was so cold out I made up my mind first thing in the morning that I was going to make soup ♥

Soup is one of those meals you can make once and then feed on it all week. A bowl here and a bowl there.... It's so warm and comforting to have a hot bowl of soup. 

It really is good for the soul ♥

I made this bean soup, which is a favorite of ours.  Beans are so hearty and good for you.  Rob loves them and so does John.  I don't think he realizes they are actually healthy and I'm not going to be the one to tell him.  Why ruin a good thing : )

♥

The recipe comes together quickly and is very delicious.  Perfect on a windy autumn day.... the kind where you could almost see Pooh Bear flying by the window,.... 

2 (15-oz.) cans cannelloni beans, drained, rinsed

1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained, rinsed

2 tsp olive oil

2 med carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)

2 med celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)

1 tsp dried basil leaves

1/8 tsp black pepper

Mash 1/2 cup of drained beans. Set aside.  Heat oil in a large saucepan over med-high heat.  Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.  Cook 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring frequently. 

Add all the remaining ingredients including the mashed beans and whole beans.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes.  

Garnish with some Parmesan cheese and some crusty bread and butter on the side. 

Enjoy ♥

**you can adapt this soup and add any veggies you want - In the past I've added cooked broccoli, green beans, and even little potatoes.  Anything will work **

And here's my little boy today, growing up way too fast. We had a lovely weekend that seemed to go by way too fast.  Mondays are coming quicker and quicker these days. And with that, I'm starting to feel the "shift".  The shift that tells me Christmas is coming.  It's my siren song!  I heard my first Christmas song on the radio Saturday and that was that.  I'm hooked!

♥

I made a decision last year that this year I was going to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Yes...I'm turning into one of THOSE people!  Don't get me wrong, I haven't done one bit of shopping yet (although I am guilty of list making...).  The reason I want to put my tree up early this year is because I always seem to feel rushed. This year  I want us to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in our pj's by the Christmas tree.  We can have our late night pumpkin pie by the twinkling lights of the tree.  How festive!  I won't have to think about when can I squeeze in decorating in between shopping and wrapping and baking. I want to enjoy the process ♥

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I was nervous as to what Rob would say about me wanting to put the tree up so early but when I told him he loved the idea! He even got into the spirit himself and hung the lights outside already! Yup, I definitely married the right guy! ♥

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I have a few days off this week, so tomorrow it begins. Beloved fall will slowly fade away for another year and Christmas will magically appear ♥ ❅☃

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Have a happy week my dear friends! As always, thank you for vising me today. 
I am so grateful for you! xo