It’s soup season. One of the reasons I do embrace soups (just not soup season) is the one pot/tummy filler concept. Soups can be a big dump in one pot, add some bread and a salad, and the tummy is filled quickly, and you spent almost no time laboring over your dinner.
 
A lot of soups can be done in the slow cooker, but I threw this one together in about 20 minutes, and reheated it for dinner. The cheese and the ham combined with a flour and milk base create a stick to your ribs consistency, and a fun, kiddie-like crowd pleaser, combining cheese and corn.
 
This is from TASTE OF HOME magazine:
 
2c water
2c cubed peeled potatoes
½ c sliced carrots
½ c sliced celery
¼ c chopped onion
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ c butter
1/4c flour
2c whole milk
2c shredded sharp cheddar
1 can (15oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 ½ c cubed cooked ham
 
In a large saucepan, bring the water, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 8-10 min or until veggies are just tender.  Remove from heat, but do not drain.
 
In another saucepan while the veggies boil, melt the butter and stir in the flour till smooth. Gradually add the milk, and bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Add this to the veggie mixture and turn up the heat.
 
Throw in the corn and ham and howdy! You are back on the farm!

​The only satisfaction I receive from the fall weather is change of fashion: hues melt into darker silhouettes, textures are heavier and more fitted, sweaters are a staple, and my favorite, admittedly, is the OTK boot.  It’s the only thing I don’t mind saying I actually like to wear.
 
I fell in love with these pants from THEORY because they are fitted, and can accommodate an OTK boot very easily, and dark enough they don’t make my short legs any shorter.    The fall mesh of black and gray is not so heavily opaque, and accommodates a bright top very easily. The only caveat with anything from THEORY that has stretch, and these leggings are all about stretch and fit, is you may need to go up a size. They also tend to be a little short waisted, so someone like me who has hips and a—may need a little more material.
 
You know Free People is my fashion kryptonite!   I love this top, paired with a “funky” lace bra or bralette.   With my boobs, I always need support, so although I’m not a huge Angel fan when it comes to every day braziers (lol) I love these bras for that show it off open back. They have underwire and a front closure for support.  Not a daily staple, but it makes an open back so inviting.
 
I would do a black or even gray OTK boot to compliment this pair. I tend to like a stretch boot which gives me a leaner line, and a sexy hug, but if you are endowed with skinny thighs, you can do a slouchier look.
 
Fall sucks, but shopping doesn’t.