This blog post is coming straight to you from Jacksonville, Florida! I'm here visiting my very best friend (soul sister), Jennifer. Several weeks prior to my arrival, I was continually checking the weather often times giggling when I would see 84 degrees immediately followed by "but feels like 92." But the reality is, they aren't kidding! It feels more like 102. With that said, turn down the air conditioning and "think cold, think fall, think soup."

Jennifer's Minestrone Soup

1 T. olive oil

2 carrots

2 celery stalks (including leaves)

1 yellow onion

S and P (to taste)

2 t. italian seasoning

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can of tomato paste

1 c. spaghetti sauce (she used Prego)

46-50 oz. of chicken stock

1/2 c. ditalini

Chop all of the vegetables (including celery leaves). Heat some olive oil in a dutch oven and saute the vegetables for about 3 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, italian seasoning, black beans, and chicken stock. Simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Finally, bring "sauce" to a boil and pour in the pasta (uncooked).

This masterpiece will be ready to devour in about 10 minutes. Is your mouth watering, yet? If it's not now, it will be while you are cooking it (or in my case watching her cook it)!

We finished off this delicious soup with yummy, tart lemon bars and a cappucino...a meal truly fit for two best friends :).

Aahhhhh...F-A-L-L! Much to my dismay, it seems to be arriving a bit slower this year but inevitable that it will eventually hit in full force. Brilliant colored leaves showering down on the streets, creative harvest decor beautifying the neighborhoods, the scent of "freshly baked" apple crisp scented candles permeating my home, cloudy days and cool rain, a cup of steaming hot tea with sweet clover honey and a shot of cream, sweatshirts in the morning and flannels in the evening, homemade soup that has been simmering on the stove top all day, a pure crispness in the air...these are a few of my favorite Fall things.

To celebrate the wonderful intensity of the season, for the remaining portion of September (I just couldn't wait any longer...it's wishful Fall thinking) and the entire month of October, I will be featuring recipes, crafts, clothing, ANYTHING that represents my "favorite things."

Let me first welcome you to Girl~Lee Goodz! I am thrilled to plunge into this very unfamiliar, yet extraordinary, adventure we call "blogging." Through this I hope to reach out and connect with readers on every different level imaginable. However, in order to achieve this broad objective it is only fair that I share my inner workings...my unprecedented passion (maybe obsession) with designing and creating sassy, OOAK, boutique clothing. You might have visions of "Project Runway" grandeur. Lights, models, camera, ACTION...back to the bedroom to sew in the corner! RIP Patrick Swayze but Baby is "in the corner." This is where my "magic happens..."