It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like...Fall!!!

Fall happens to be my favorite season. I just love the cooler weather, leaves changing colors, back to school prep, cooking, and getting ready for all the holidays.  I'm so thankful that Virginia actually has this season, we kinda missed it every year in Cali.

 A couple friends came over last week, and each of us made this wreath. Nothing like hot glue and felt to bring in the fall season :)

Here's another wreath I put up this week.

 Savannah and Maddie made some door hangers this week...we had fun crafting together.

 Daddy and Neal Dillard cut down the trees that had fallen recently from a storm. Now we have more fire wood for cold nights. 

Maddie and Savvy raked and cleaned up their play structure. There were tons of acorns and leaves all over it.

Maddie has started a couple "classes" this week. We went to Hidden Pond for a lesson on Butterflies. The kids learned about their lifecycle, went outside to catch butterflies, and made a craft. We also are starting ballet, and have a library story time on Thursday mornings.

Tonight I made Butternut Squash Soup with Fontina Cheese Crustinis. It was delish. 

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

Soup:

• 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 7 to 8 cups)
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Crostini:

• 1/2 baguette, sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 cup (2 ounces) grated fontina cheese
• Kosher salt

Directions

In an 8-quart stockpot, add the butter and oil and melt together over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the squash and the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the sage. Continue to boil until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep the soup warm over low heat.

For the crostini: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sage. Sprinkle the cheese on top and season with salt, to taste. Bake until the cheese has melted and the bread is light golden, about 6 to 8 minutes.

To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the cheese crostini.

Cook's Note: The cooked vegetable mixture can also be pureed (after cooling for about 5 minutes) by ladling, in batches, into a food processor or blender and blended until smooth.