Halloween. 

Love it. Got to be the perfect holiday: free candy, creative costumes, all about the kids, 

low expectations=difficult to disappoint. What's not to love?

 Plus, it's in the Fall--Best. Season. Ever.

Dino (and Handler), Holly Golightly, and Clark Kent 

On a Candy Mission

Tyler Scarecrow, Taylor Clark Kent, Kyle the "Chick Magnet", Larsen???,
 Colton Super Banana, & Trent Scary Clown (is there any other kind?)

Audrey Hepburn and James Bond, off to an Evening Gala

Minestrone soup is a classic hearty Italian soup with tomatoes, white beans, pasta and vegetables.   1/2 onion, chopped 1 cup carrots, chopped 1 celery rib, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes 1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained, rinsed (cannellini or navy) 3 cups chicken broth 1 fresh rosemary sprig 2 bay leaves 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1 Tbsp dried) 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (or 2 Tbsp dried) Garlic salt and fresh pepper to taste 1 medium zucchini, chopped 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen (defrosted) spinach 2 cups cooked small pasta like seashell or elbows (al dente) Parmesan cheese to top Rinse and drain beans. Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. In a crock pot, combine broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Forty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Add cooked pasta, cook 10 minutes more. Remove bay leaves and rosemary sprig. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and top with parmesan cheese.