Soup, Dessert, Books

What's for dinner?Butternut Squash Soup. The best recipe I've ever had. I took a really simple one and tweaked it a few years ago and it's one of my favorite things about the fall season. Plus, it's so good for you!

3 Tbsp. butter
2 1/2 C. chopped onion
3 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 T. brown sugar
6 C. chicken broth (I used Swanson)
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
5 1/2-6 C. cooked, mashed butternut squash
2-3 C. milk

Slice the butternut squash (about 3 med. size) in half, remove seeds, wrap it in foil and cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until soft. Scoop it out, mash a bit and place in a bowl (you can do this the day before). You can also buy cubed squash at the store...I'd say about 3 lbs. of cubed squash.

Put butter, onion, sugar and seasonings in a saucepan and cook over med-hi heat until onion is soft. Stir in broth and squash. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in blender or food processor (or I use my hand blender and it works great). Return to saucepan and stir in milk (add 2-3 cups depending on thickness desired) and reheat. (When you reheat the next day, add a little more milk to thin it out a bit).

Sometimes, depending on the squash, my soup needs a bit more salt or pepper. Taste it and feel free to stir in more salt, pepper or spice.

What's for dessert?world's easiest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies1 small can of pumpkin
1 spice cake mix
3/4 bag of milk chocolate chips

I'm serious. Mix the cake mix and pumpkin together, add chocolate chips. Place by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 12 minutes. We love them and they can't be too bad for you, right? (Unless you eat 10 at a time like I do). Also, if you can only find the big cans of pumpkin, just use 2 cake mixes and more chocolate.

What should I read?Still Alice: Lisa GenovaThis book was amazing. I read it in about 3 days because I couldn't stop. It's about a woman who gets Alzheimer's in her mid 50s. It was just...everything. The writing fantastic, the characters perfect and the experience so real. It was frightening, loving, emotional, hopeful and hopeless all at the same time. I loved the length too...just right. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Outliers: Malcolm Gladwell
This book was absolutely fascinating. It's a non-fiction book but I couldn't wait to pick it up and I never wanted to put it down, which is rare for me and non-fiction. It explores why some of the most successful people in the world are so successful. It creates a compelling argument for a success formula (which also involves a heavy degree of luck...so sorry if you were going to follow it step by step). It delves into elite hockey players in Canada, Chinese math students, the Beatles, Bill Gates, and oh so many other fascinating characters. It turns out each of the success stories has the exact same properties. It talks a lot about education of children and what works best. It also talks about why people just need to be "smart enough," not necessarily geniuses. It lays out reasons for having your child be "older" for his age and how your upbringing and culture are big predictors of how successful you will be. This is an outstanding read and I gleaned so much inspiration from it.Pope Joan: Donna Woolfolk Cross
Absolutely, positively fantastic. I loved this book for so many reasons. First, the writing was just the way I like it...descriptive enough to get a point across but not too flowery. It was historical fiction written by a woman who usually writes only non-fiction, so she did her homework. It is about a woman in the 800s (yes, the 800s). I love how it explores the crusades and the Catholic church during the dark ages. I loved watching the heroine fight for light, truth, and knowledege. I love the way they bring in ancient great thinkers and try to reconcile logic and faith. I was amazed by what life was like then. The author also did a wonderful job of really giving us an actual setting...what they ate, how they cared for the ill, how they socialized. It was just so good. At the end the author gives evidence for what she has written and it felt so satisfying. The best part though? I couldn't put it down. I was hooked during the first chapter. Oh, and it's clean which is always a bonus.