Paisley and Prince At The Park

Here is Paisley and her Prince at the Park.  We decided to take pictures of her and send them to Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grandma and Grandpa as a thank you for her beautiful gift.  She didn't do much smiling this day...lots of scowls and looking at the trees.  So what you see is what you get.  I can't handle the ruffled pants and her old timey jewelry.  Don't think we're crazy for taking Prince to the park, it's literally two minutes away.   From a Photography perspective it's interesting how light works.  In this situation the light moved around so much, we should have moved her too.  It looks like we have a lot to learn about how to position our subject, and might think about that in the future.

Harmon Farms

Every year we try and make it a point to go and enjoy Harmon Farm's.  This year will be our fifth and final year, because they have decided to close.  I'm not sure why, but we will be looking for a new pumpkin patch this coming year.  We made a day of it, and went out with a bang!  Church, grabbed fast food, met everyone from church at Harmon's, pumpkin patched, horse rides, hayrides, Mellow Mushroom, and then Yumilicious!  We had some tried kids, Mike and I were pretty tuckered too!

Soups On...

~This is a picture of Southern Living's Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup~

Good Golly I love Fall!  And today is one of those days.  I've done a little decorating and moving things around and it's been raining all day.  I have soup on the stove and Carson just ran in from off the bus and smelled it's mighty goodness!  "Mom, what in the world!"  I love when he's so dramatic.  I wonder where he gets it from?  But seriously, my kids gobble this pumpkin goodness up!

Pumpkin Curry Soup

2 Tbsp of Butter {I use salted} 

One small to medium Onion~diced 

1-1 1/2 tsp of Garlic {I use the squeeze tube}

2 tsp Curry Powder 

1/4 tsp Pepper

One can of 100% Pumpkin Puree

2 cans of Chicken Broth {I use 33% less sodium}

3/4 cup of Coconut Milk {Shake in can a bit to get it really mixed}

~Optional~

Chives and Sour Cream

~ Saute in your soup pot, the onion and butter {about 5-10 mins} on medium.  Add the Garlic for one minute.  Then add the Curry and Pepper for another minute.  The Chicken Broth, and the Pumpkin Puree are next.  Mix and let simmer for 20 minutes.  After your 20 minute simmer is finished, take off the heat and add your Coconut milk.  Then blend for a smooth constancy.  {I use my stick blender and it works perfectly, but you can use a regular blender as well}.  Top with chives and a dollop of sour cream if you're feeling fancy!

Last Lake Lure Outing

This may be our last time to stay with Auntie Jo and Uncle Butch at the Lake Lure Mountain house.  They are putting it up for sale and want to move to a warmer climate.  I wish I had the money to by me a little piece of a mountain; I LOVE the mountains!  I like the smell of a wood burning fire, the crisp air,  the chirps of the birds and the smell of the trees.   {Ok, we may be able to squeeze a Christmas visit in.}

Boat And Brunch

On our last day at Lake Lure we decided that despite the cool weather, we were going to take a boat ride to the Lake Lure Inn and have Brunch. 

The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa (we didn't do any spa~ing) is one of the original North Carolina landmarks, built when the waters of Lake Lure first began to fill. Over the years, The Inn has hosted a diverse range of celebrities from F. Scoot Fitzgerald, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Emily Post and Calvin Coolidge to Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey during the filming of Dirty Dancing. 

It was a delicious way to end to our wonderful weekend! 

 ~Chocolate Fountain~

 ~The End~

A Hubba Hubba Lunch

When we were investigating if we should divert from our norm and go to another apple picking place, we stumbled upon this smokehouse.  We just had to click on the link.  If you know anything about the South, it's that we eat Bar~B~Q.   Mike and I are addicted!  As we approached the location, we could see the smoke in the air...a VERY GOOD SIGN!  Hubba Hubba Smokehouse was the perfect warm-me-up to our FREEZING day! They even had a covered spot to sit with warmers.  We had to get a little of everything and share.   If you're in NC, you HAVE to look them up.  The smoked fish taco's are to die for!  Hubba Hubba!

~Enjoy~

~Pork Sliders~

 ~We Got There Right Before This Line Started~