On this post, how to make easy succulent pumpkins, a classic minestrone you need in your winter recipe rotation, a fall playlist, and my upcoming event with Rails at Stanford
I’ve officially entered my fall girl stage with lamps on the kitchen counter, soup plans and pumpkin breads, sweaters sorted out and stacked waiting to be worn!
Your fall playlist..
This cute playlist popped up when I was on Spotify and it’s kind of a good one for now. When this heatwave ends, I’m looking forward to cozy evenings on the couch watching Meg Ryan movies in thick socks with a cup of camomile tea.
Succulent pumpkins
I had a little time on my hands when Max was gone kayaking and thought I’d give the succulent pumpkins a go again this year. I haven’t made them since the pandemic (when I had extra, extra time), and they are so easy and unique -and last!
This is a super fast craft and requires no dirt, and the succulents last with no care and can be reused when you are done. Just start with clean pumpkins and you need a hot glue gun.
If you have succulents, it’s easy to snip bits off and use them on your pumpkins. You can keep these pumpkins until January or beyond, and even plant the pumpkins if they are small or just remove the plants and stuff them in a pot.. You’ll be amazed how they can just keep growing with little care..
This was one made during the pandemic.. Loved the color of this one!
To make unique pumpkins, look for interesting colors. The little pumpkins make for cute gifts.
What you need:
Moss Mix– you can find at a garden or craft store and also here on Amazon.
Dried Flowers– or you can forage the yard for statice, dried lavender and dry roses- or get a bag like this one of straw flowers. You can also skip this and just do moss and succulents.
Variety of pumpkins– small to medium
Hot glue gun
These are the ones made during the 2020 pandemic with my neighbors Kim and Becca and I with our masks in the garage. It was a way of getting out of the house and being together! Can you remember how it was? Gosh how fast I forget..so glad to be over that year..
This is my materials I started with..Cleaned pumpkins, moss, the glue gun, and I had a few leaves and bits foraged from the yard to add in with the succulent cuttings..
I plan to give these small guys to the neighbors… You can tie a little tag on the stem, or place them in a cellophane bag with a bow and tag!
Some of these guys did not have big stems, so I put them in cellophane bags and used cute vintage looking ribbon to add the tags..
I just found Michaels has the cutest ribbon bundles you can buy that are random and vintage ribbons for each season.. I just bought this fall grouping and can’t wait to use it on more things..
Minestrone soup
Speaking of the past, two years ago I shared this wonderful classic minestrone soup…. Then somehow, the recipe was forgotten and I recently came across photos and the recipe and wondered why I had stopped making it -or how I lost the recipe.. Do you ever do that? Well I’m going to share it again, as we could all use a good minestrone in our lives.
The recipe is a good one and it is easily adaptable. I used cannelini beans, and zucchini and a few yellow potatoes with the other veg. I topped mine with shredded parmesan and a small drizzle of good olive oil..This soup keeps wonderfully for many days and you can freeze it too. You can also opt to use gluten free noodles and vegan parmesan.
Stone Soup
I was chatting to my dad about this soup, and the next day he told me he made ‘Stone Soup’ with all his leftovers..We were laughing because we had that book as kids. It was one of a pile my dad’s from his grammar school weekly reader collection from the 1940’s, that we loved as kids. I still have it somewhere…and my kids read it.
Dad said his was version was delicious! A good reminder to throw everything leftover into a soup occasionally at the end of the week.
The book by Marcia Brown is a Caldecott winner and is based on an old European folk tale of poor soldiers that come to a town and villagers say have no food to share, so they start a ‘soup’ in a pot with water and a stone. The villagers want to know what they are making and eventually they trick them all into contributing a small bit, to make a delicious soup, and throw out the rock. It’s a great lesson on sharing and that together we all have more… You can still buy the original version here. It’s one small kids might enjoy! I’m sure some of you will have a flashback of it..
Apple picking and pumpkin season!
It’s that time of year to go apple picking. We are spoiled for choice in the Bay Area.. There are so many spots. We have gone to Gizdich Ranch many times with our kids and brought picnics and took home some amazing pies.. We have also loved Apple Hill east of Sacramento, which is loaded with good places to stop. You can make a day of it there.
There are also you pick apple farms in Napa, Sacramento and other areas.. This article has all the places to go.
Half Moon Bay is another fun October weekend stop.. We love to go to the Half Moon Bay Nursery, below, for pumpkins when we do….They also have some great plants.
Makeup free and looking fresh..
Everyone was abuzz this week about Pamela Andersen going sans makeup to the Paris Fashion Week. I loved the photos of her and how fresh she looked.. We need to see more of this! I’m so over the big fake lashes, strong brows and contour that makes women look harsh. We don’t need it. Less fake, more real please.
My mother always said the less makeup, the better as we age, and I think she was right. I was inspired to let my hair air-dry and just wear some sunscreen this week and it felt good and also a heck of a lot easier. I also think the more we see ourselves this way, they more we will grow to love our natural state.
In that same topic, friends saw 70 year old Pat Benatar in concert this week at the Mountain Winery and I just love her natural hair and outfit don’t you? I think this silver hair is a softer look on her and so flattering..
On My Radar
Serena & Lily Fall Event is happening and this velvet quilt is on my wish list. I have been thinking about one for a while. I think I like the coastal blue that reverses to beige, but the Cardamon is also calling my name, especially with autumn here… My favorite bath towels are also on sale and so is my dining rug I love.
I love sweatshirts and just bought this wrap sweatshirt at Athleta. I was sold by the shape and how super soft it is. I am usually a medium, but It runs small and I went with a large. I think this will be cute with joggers as well as jeans and skirts. Very versatile.
Two New Los Gatos Small Businesses..
Two new small businesses that opened this week in Los Gatos that I am very excited about… One is the delicious Grocer+ Goddess that has been a small outpost, but now opened a large charming spot right on the park in downtown LG. I went with my pal Erin and we loved it. This fulfills all my requirements of a sweet space you’ll want to linger at. The food is healthy and fresh. I had a chickpea wrap with home made potato chips so GOOD! They also have breakfast, baked goods, wonderful takeout, gourmet groceries, and a small curated housewares section.
Late Friday a much missed Los Gatos gem, homeware store, Domus has reopened! After being closed for many years after a landlord pushed this beloved store out, the owner had an opportunity to restart again. I was there Friday morning, but they weren’t opening until the afternoon. I took photos through the window…
My heart was happy to see it looked as it always did, with clocks on the wall, pretty dishes, placemats and napkins, wonderful paper goods, and more! I can’t wait to have a place once again for gifts and cards. If you need a kitchen gadget- they will have it. It’s a unique and appealing mix only Domus has! Get there if you can. We need to help local brick and mortar stores more than ever, and it’s also just a joy to shop at such a well curated place. I’ll report more next week once I get in.
Next week -Tuesday I have a handbag post with Cindy for our Signature Style of October! If you need a bag, this is a good one to check out.
A Rails Event! PLEASE COME. On Saturday, the 14th, I am excited to be joining the Rails Palo Alto for a special event where you can check out the fall looks. I would love to meet you and will be there to help shop or style autumn looks 11-2. Come see the beautiful Rails pieces in person at their pretty Stanford store. They will be rolling out a lovely shirt that they have created to fundraise for Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Month too. It’s a great day out with a friend and lunch at my favorite place, Stanford. I hope to see some of you there! You can peek at the fall looks here.
At the beautiful Rails Palo Alto last spring… The store has so much!
Last weekend I shared an easy wall collage idea, some pumpkin options to add to your mix, and more.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Kim
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Kim! I love your pumpkins with succulents! And you can just snip from the succulents in your garden? What a great idea!
And that playlist! Saved it!
Xx
Annie yes just go pull them off the yard pots. You need just hot glue and if you like some moss. They will last many months and you can pull them off at the end and stuff them in a plant and they will regrow! xo
Love the pumpkins, do you hollow them out? Potting soil? Is the glue stick for the moss ?
Elaine no need to do anything, but wash them and dry. No potting soil. That was hot glue sticks..You just use hot glue them on and if you like use some moss under the succulents as a base..It’s all up to you. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. The succulents will last many months and at the end, you can pull them off and put them in a pot. I never watered them or anything. Hope that helps!
Hey, Kim –
Great post, once again!
Did you hear that Meg Ryan is making a new movie?! It’s called What Happens Later, and co-stars David Duchovny. An age-appropriate romcom! I hope it’s good. Release date is next week, I think, so we shall see. She also directs and co-wrote.
Minestrone soup sounds great. I have a friend who is scheduled for knee surgery later this month, and this would be a great thing to take to her for easy meals. It’s going to be 80 here in Portland this weekend — last chance for shorts? But fall is coming, and it’s my favorite season. Or is spring my favorite season…?
Loved the Stone Soup flashback!
I will also check out the playlist.
xo
Julia thank you! I think I saw this a while ago and forgot! I will have to link to it. Yes that’s such a sweet thing the soup idea! Wow Portland too? I can’t believe it! Shorts here for sure too! I know fall is the best! xo
Hey Kim – question – are the succulents real or faux? I can’t tell? These pumpkins are darling – if my blog was up, I would be linking to this for sure. I love them and such cute treats for friends. Saving for future….
Hi Gray they are all real and do not die! Last time I did this they lasted until February and I finally pulled them off and put them in a pot! Aw thanks so much. xo
😘 Yes! You would get at least 4 new subscribers! 🤣
I just found you thru Cindy! Very exiting to have someone local. Love everything I see! Especially excited about Domus reopening!
Thanks Donna! So glad you found me too! I know we really needed Domus.
Fun post Kim. Love the pumpkin idea. I’ve heard of taking the insides out then planting succulents. I like this idea better. So cute. I agree about the natural look. I’m going sans more and more. A bit of mascara and lippy.
Vikki
Hi Vikki! Yes this is easier and it really does last for months! The succulents are amazing and will stay alive..You can re-pot them when you are done… Yay for the natural look ! x
What a busy, fun gal you are! Love all that you do! Now I have to find a recipe for a chickpea wrap! That minestrone soup looks delicious. I agree that Pamela Anderson and Pat Benatar look fabulous! So refreshing to see such real/natural looking women. I will look forward to your Los Gatos post on Domus. If I didn’t live in Illinois, I would definitely be heading there this week. Can’t wait for your handbag post. Handbags are my downfall. Luckily, I have thrifted some fabulous, timeless pieces. When covid first hit, and I found myself without a job, I went through my “collection”. My nieces, sisters, and great nieces are now carrying some of my “finds”. Now that I’m retired, don’t need quite as many?? Have a great weekend, and a fun upcoming week.
Hi Deanna! I know it was such a good sandwich and I believe the levain bread was gluten free and delicious!
Oh I wish you could get to this shop too.. I bet Illinois has some superb little stores. I am a handbag person!! How wonderful you have ladies in your family that are enjoying your treasures. That would make me so happy!
. Wishing you a great week too!
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Loved this post, as I love all of yours. Playlist -> Oh yes! Succulent pumpkins -> adorable! Minestrone soup -> delish (add some homemade no-knead bread and oh golly!). Stone Soup -> flashback to my daughter in pre-school play! Just wish I lived closer to the shopping but Oceanside is starting to wake up with some cuter shops and restaurants. Nearby Camp Pendleton will always have its influence though. Keep up the interesting posts! As you can see we all enjoy them!
Good morning, Kim! Just a quick comment before we head out to the wedding events … love that playlist and saved it immediately. Your pumpkins are the cutest … I’m tempted to try. Do you know I don’t own a glue gun? Shameful, right?! Pat looks great … I remember seeing her in the 1980’s. What a powerhouse … then and now. Pam Anderson too … I rarely wear makeup these days and when I do it’s a tinted moisturizer. She’s going to inspire a lot of women to lay off the heavy stuff. Anyway, hope you have the best weekend with your son, see you next week! xo
Hi Kim,
Great post as usual! Especially love the playlist, cute pumpkin project, and minestrone recipe. Domus looks adorable – seems like I could do a lot of damage there! Wish I lived up north so I could shop there (and attend your Rails event)! Have a great week, and thanks for all you do to enrich our lives!
Hi Kim, Love how clever you are with the little pumpkins and succulents. Adorable gifts for your lucky neighbors! I remember Domus from when I lived in Oakland and would go to Los Gatos for a day or weekend. It was someplace you could find unusual European gadgets and items, as I recall. Already put your music suggestion on my Spotify. My son subscribed to it for me last year at Christmas – he always comes up with the best gifts.
Hi Kim, loved your post this week! I loved the Spotify playlist and saved it to my library, so many great songs! You have inspired me again to plant a succulent pumpkins garden. I have made them several times, but don’t think I have since before Covid. I think this will be the year to give it a go again. Your minestrone recipe looks delicious, so I saved it to my Pinterest. Nothing beats homemade soup!!! Pat Benatar looks fabulous! We saw her last year up at the Mountain Winery and she still sounds amazing, I just love her. I am so crazy excited about Domus reopening! I have missed them so much. Now if we can only have the Los Gatos Porch back, how amazing would that be? Your Rails event up at Stanford sounds great and I really hope I am able to make it. It is by far one of my favorite brands out there. I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. Stay cool, it’s a hot one!!!
Kim,
Where to start. The soup looks delicious, I am bookmarking the recipe to make once I am back at home. As for stone soup, love that book.
The succulent pumpkins are so cute! I have never even had a succulent much less used them to decorate a pumpkin. I love this idea.
Pat Benatar looks amazing! As does Pamela Anderson. I could not agree more about the brows and eyelashes. A less is more look is beautiful.
I too am looking forward to comfy days watching movies and enjoying a little down time.
I wish I lived closer to attend your Rails event. I just know that anyone that attends will be helped by you to find the best pieces to suit them.
Looking forward to your handbag post, see you Tuesday.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim! Enjoy some cooler weather and a little rest and relaxation.
xo Elizabeth
Beautiful post, Kim! Feast for all the senses! Those pumpkins are so lovely + the soup looks yummy. I loved that children’s book and that new cafe near you looks amazing. I, too, agree, the less makeup as we age the better. All the harsh makeup right now is not my favorite. Pamela looks so elegant. Hopefully, more will be inspired now to do the same. Xx
Hi Kim,
The succulent pumpkins you and your neighbors created are wonderful. Great idea on your part.
I love your succulent pumpkin idea! I tried running it by my daughter for table, decorations for the wedding rehearsal lunch, but to no avail. She has decidedly “no pumpkins” for her wedding, even though it is in the fall. I love them though and put it on my reminder to do next year as this year all I’m doing his wedding stuff. I used to shop at Domus all the time, when they were at their old location. It’s nice to know they’re back. I still have an amazing salad bowl that I used for years, especially for a crowd from there. I’ll have to remember that when I come up to the bay area.
When I taught kindergarten, back in the dark ages, we used to have a day when we made Stone soup! We read the story and everybody brought ingredients. It was such a fun day. I hadn’t thought of that book for a while. It would be perfect for my grandkids.
Thanks for a great blog! Martha
What a sweet gift the succulent pumpkins make! I love the Stanford Rails, store, and go (and find things) every time I visit my daughter who lives in Redwood City. I have to add the Domus store to my Bay Area go to list !
Pamela Anderson looks amazing, and I hope more follow her lead..
Thank you for a great post!
Thank you Elizabeth! Isn’t the Stanford Rails nice? One of the best stores there.. Oh yes I hope you get to Domus too! xo
Hi Kim! So excited for the new Spotify playlist! Thanks! And those pumpkins look amazing! I might have to make myself one. Or I love the idea of giving them as gifts! And yum for a new minestrone recipe — and vegetarian too! I love apple season! Have a great week!
Molly thanks ! I hope you enjoy the fall playlist in your darling Maine. I love apples season too. xo