Swamp Maples and Soup

Ten Things So Lit (the concussion not so much)

1. New Hampshire Swamp Maples. Oh, glorious September. Did you know? Swamp maple trees grow in wet areas and are usually the first leaves to change colors in New Hampshire. It’s still a bit hot (80’s!) but we’re starting to see red, orange, and yellow leaves popping. It makes the heart sing…

   

2. A contract has been signed 😊 can’t wait to share more with you…

3. From James Clear, Atomic Habits Newsletter:

   "The rules:

   (1) know precisely what you want,

   (2) determine the cost of what it will take to get it,

   (3) don't bargain over the price."

4. Fall soccer. Autumn afternoons on a soccer field? I feel great joy coaching my amazing girls!!! (all good until you get hit in the head with a ball. Slightly concussed, I’m fine?).

5. “Let the beauty we love be what we do.
   There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
   —Jalal al-Din Rumi

6. I Made This: Easy Chickpea, Cauliflower Curry and it was delicious. It’s super healthy and planet-friendly (we’ve been eating less meat…and I LOVE meat). Here is an interesting NPR read about meat, climate solutions, and masculinity.

7. This painting is called “The English Major” by Janet Hill. I wish I had bought it when I was in a bookstore in Cedar Rapids, IA. Isn’t it gorgeous?

   

8. Paint a stack of books with me! Tutorial by the wonderful

   Samantha Dion Baker

9. Mary Oliver, always:

   "Pay attention.

   Be astonished.

   Tell About it."

10. A Fall Soup I’ve Been Making on Repeat:

    Grab a book and enjoy a cozy September weekend (or weeknight dinner!) with this super-easy tomato-vegetable soup. So tasty.

Gather garden tomatoes + any other vegetables, chop, simmer in pot, immersion blender to finish. Done. Yum.

Tomato-Vegetable Soup:

• Gather up all of the waning tomatoes and vegetables from the garden, your fridge, or the seconds rack at the grocery store. I used tomatoes, onion, carrots, red pepper, celery, and a giant zucchini bc nobody likes the giant zucchinis. No need to peel anything (except carrots if you like). Chop.

• In a pot, pour a healthy dollop of olive oil + tablespoon of garlic + sea salt. Heat until fragrant.

• Put all tomatoes and chopped vegetables into pot and bring to simmer. I simmered mine on low all day. No need for any water - the tomatoes contain a lot. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper to taste. And that’s it. If you feel the tomatoes are a little too acidic, add a dash of brown sugar.

• If you like smooth tomato soup like I do, put the immersion blender right into the pot and whirl away (blender also works). Eat with some crusty bread (or a homemade grilled cheese sandwich with colby jack cheese, and OMG, life is good. This soup will also make you FEEL so good.

Amy 🍁

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The Last Part:

Worrying: post-pandemic, kids are not reading

Evelyn Skye

the state of middle grade books is really worrying me.

Author Visit: I visited Norwell Middle School this past week. SO FUN. Want a school visit? Be in touch!

Reading: My first Lucy Foley book

My Youngest is a senior…ya’ll, where does the time go?

head up and into the crowd…

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Love, Amy