Summer Pumpkins ~ Summer's End

Summer has left and fall is here.  The French told us at the end of August that summer heat waves, canicules, had broken.  It’s now September so the heat will be gone they said.  I thought that was bold foretelling but they’ve been right.  No more hot weather.  Just like that.  In Texas summer drags on well into October & just because a cool front moves through and some relief is felt, rest assured the heat will pour back in a few days later. 

Here the shift is seen in the sights & smells of the markets.  Strawberries & peaches have vanished and replaced with gourds, pumpkins, & butternut squash.  What shows up on my table is based on what shows up in the Saturday market.  It’s a shift I’m learning to appreciate.  There’s a rhythm to it and only having amazing strawberries in the early summer means they will be savored like the first time I had them every May as they come back into season.

I received a new box of fabric goodies recently & in it was a lovely charm pack from Fig Tree ~ Summer’s End.  How fitting.  It’s filled with soft florals of a limish-green, buttery yellows, tomato reds, & my favorite color-way in this collection ~ a super yummy pinkish-lilac.  I’m in love with this lilac color & will be on the hunt to buy more of it for other projects.  But for now a medley of summer colors mixed with what’s coming in, fall pumpkins came to mind.  The result ~ Summer Pumpkins. Take a look.

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I decided on a wonderful white on white from Sherri & Chelsi’s Laguna Sunrise collection.  It’s a tiny floral which I thought would be great to thread throughout the leaving summer theme.  For the pumpkin leaves & vines I found a lime polka dot from an older Fig Tree collection.  For the pumpkins I’m thinking of a collection of oranges from Fig Tree.  At first I was just going to go with 2 and alternate them but thinking on it longer, I’ve decided to do a nice mix of 5-6 different orange prints.  We’ll see as I start making the pumkin blocks what I think.

My test blocks are done.  There’s just 2 blocks, the pumpkin block & a simple 9-Patch.  I’m really loving the pumpkins.  They have a certain majestic elegance to them.  I’ve got it all cut out now & while the pumpkins take some time the 9-Patch’s will go fast.  We’re looking at rainy, cooler week & I’ve got a pot of soup on the stove so I’m settled in with a warm iron & my machine ready to go.  I’ll update when my blocks are done.  Meanwhile here’s the recipe for the soup.  It’s a creamy soothing soup for those chilly days and best of all – easy to make.

Á Bientôt ~ Cherie

Creamy Italian Chicken Soup

2 Tablespoons butter

½ cup chopped onion

2 garlic gloves chopped

Fresh basil & oregano

S&P

Crushed red pepper – I used a dash but add the heat you want

3 cups bullion water

1 ½ - 2 cups pasta of your choice

1 carrot chopped

1 cup chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie works well)

1 large tomato chopped

¼ cup crème fraiche

¼ - ½ cup heavy cream

1 ½ cups chopped fresh spinach

1 cup parmesan

Melt butter & saute onions & garlic.  Then add spices.  Add bullion water with pasta & carrots.  Let boil on med high till pasta is nearly ready.  Then add chicken & tomato.  Let simmer a bit longer to let the tomatoes meld in.  Then add crème fraiche & cream.  Turn heat down to keep crème from curdling.  Add spinach & parmesan just as you are ready to serve.  This is great with crusty warm bread. Enjoy!