Wow, summer sure went by quickly! We’re already mid-way through fall and heading directly into winter and the holidays. It’s been a blustery last few weeks here in the Pacific Northwest, and many of the spectacularly colored leaves have blown away, leaving bare branches waving in the wind.
The bare branches are perfect for halloween. While I don’t at all care for the creepy decorations festooning some of my neighbors’ yards, I’m all for cute pumpkins. While my husband and I no longer carve pumpkins now that our sons have grown, I’ve discovered some serious talent while Piper and I are out on our walks.
Knowing that The Farmers Almanac promises a cold and dry winter in the Pacific Northwest, but lots of snow for most of the rest of the country, my kitchen adventures are definitely turning to soups, stews and chilis. I think pumpkin is one of those overlooked ingredients when it comes to savory dishes. Here’s an easy pumpkin chili recipe that’s ready in less than an hour, so you’ve got all evening to snuggle up with a cozy blanket and good book.
Easy Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. ground spicy Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 (15-oz.) cans fire-roasted tomatoes, not drained
1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
2 1/2 c. chicken broth
Directions:
- In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring to break into pieces, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and sausage. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pumpkin seeds, sour cream, cheese, and avocado.
While I’m on the topic of good books, I’m desperately trying to find the time to finish up my summer book reads. Next on my list is Rachel Hauck’s Best Summer of Our Lives.
Twenty years ago, the summer of ’77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde’s life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow–the Four Seasons–had big plans.
But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, “Nowhere,” Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.
Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love’s voice.
While Autumn is a time of transition, the somewhat jarring mix of summer clearance items, Halloween costumes, and Thanksgiving turkeys side-by-side with Christmas trees, bows and wreaths can give me whiplash. I enjoy each holiday as it comes, and have never indulged in the countdown to Christmas. I don’t feel the need to be reminded that it’s 68 days to Christmas. Oops! I guess I did fall into that one.
If you’re ready to start on your Christmas reading list, I’ve got two books and a novella all set in the Christmas season, A Lancaster Family Christmas, From Rome With Love and An Unexpected Christmas Gift.
Enter my Changing Seasons Giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card plus a copy of my latest novel, Reinventing Ruthie or another of my books if you’ve already purchased a copy. US only. Winner will be announced Tuesday October 24 and has three days to respond to my email. Only by responding to my email can you win. Sorry, I don’t read Facebook or Instagram messages.
Love to have one of your books any of them and I love fall time with the changes in the trees and warm meals
I love fall. The leaves falling and all the wonderful scents in the house. Apple and Cinnamon are my favorite. Settling in with a nice book on a cool rainy fall day is my favorite thing to do along with craft fairs.
Thank you for this opportunity to enter I love the beauty of the colored leaves but not what comes afterwards
Some day I hope to read your book,Marguerite. That was my mom’s name and you don’t hear it any more!!
I would purchase the books I don’t already own! And register it after I read it so others may enjoy!
A lancaster family christmas
I think I’d pick your latest release if I were to win a book of yours!
Happy Fall!
I’m not to find of winter coming,but I love fall with all the leaves turning different colors makes you want to go out and jump into a pile of leaves
I would buy as many of your books that I can with the Amazon gift card. With winter on it’s way here in the northeast I will need lots of books to read.
I would like to read an Unexpected Christmas gift. Where is the bet place to write a review?
Fall is a beautiful time of year. All the beautiful colors of the leaves just reminds me of how much God gives us to enjoy. I love all of your books Kate and would love to win this awesome giveaway. Thank you for a chance to win.
Wow this giveaway would be a great “get”…haha love your books, dont have this one….Amazon card…what would I do? spend several days figuring out my best
“deal” to get the most….Love books and music….Would be a GREAT fall day and
evening reading your book, if I am so LUCKY to Win…..Good Luck to us all…
Thank you for having this contest. I’d love to win and a copy of your newest book, Reinventing Ruthie, would be perfect. Ruthie is my nieces name❤ I love your books but especially your winter/Christmas themed ones.
Thank you for this opportunity to enter I love the beauty of the colored leaves but not what comes afterwards
Hmm…I’m not sure which book I’d choose- I would have to see if there are any I haven’t read!
I love fall all the changing of the trees and baking fall goodie’s
I love Fall and I love Christmas books too. Thanks for your generosity!
A Lancaster Christmas sounds delightful.
If I win this giveaway, I would use the gift card to buy more Amish fiction books.
Unexpected Christmas Gift sounds good, but really any of the three would be good.
Thanks for a chance to win.
Have a blessed week.
Think ill try that chilli recipe this fall..looks yummy to have while reading in this chilly weather.
I enjoy entering your giveaways.
Two clicks and you’re done.
Easy, Peasy.
I love Christmas books! Thanks for the giveaways!
Love your books and your fall newsletter is awesome. Love this season.
Blessings
Diana Lynn
Thank you for your fun giveaways and the opportunity to win! I enjoy your books!
I absolutely love fall. It is totally my favorite season. The colors….reds, oranges,tans, ambers and all colors in between. The red berries on the holly trees are probably my favorite. Then there are the delicious pumpkin and apple cinnamon treats that one can’t get year round. The harvest festivals and colorful farmers markets. Let’s not forget the wonderful smells of fall. Pumpkin pies, apple cinnamon, spices all in candle form or just by low simmering different things on the range and the whole house smells like somebody has been baking for hours.
Love your books Kate!
Comment Love the beauty and scents of the fall season. The colors of the trees, the lovely mums, apple pies and dumplings, pumpkin rolls……
I would love to read any of your books. I love seeing you on facebook with Piper . I am following you on Amazon but I have not read any of your books. I especially would like to get a copy of your book Reinventing Ruthie.
Thank you for the chance!
Love the Beautiful fall colors cooler temps. and the smell that fall is here!
Fall is my very favorite season. My birthday is in the latter part of September, and I have always loved the fall colors of the leaves. I can hardly wait to read all these books!