Three Bean Salad - recent work

  Three Bean Salad

• 1 1 (15-ounce) can Chick Peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 1 (15-ounce) can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15oz) can of black eye peas
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup of sliced cherry tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup minced chives
• 2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

optional - cheese of choice cut into small cubes.  

Drain beans and peas in a colander, then rinse clean.  In a mixing bowl mix in the peas, beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, chives, celery, cilantro, and garlic.  In a small bowl mix lime juice, oil, cumin, salt and pepper.  Combine mixture to large bowl, making sure everything is coated.  Let stand 10 minutes for flavors to blend, best left over night in refrigerator to fuse flavors. 

Where the Pumpkin obsession started

written by Jeff Johnson from Phineasfree Writing

29 days of Pumpkin

On day 17 of my “29 Days of Pumpkin,” I found myself sitting in a cafe in Abbortsford, Wisconsin. As I looked out the café’s window, I noticed a woman wearing pumpkin – and the sight of her brought me immediately back to Florence, Italy.
In 2004, my ski club and I spent a few days convalescing in Florence after a thrilling but grueling week of skiing in the Swiss Alps. Most of the stores were closed as we walked the streets of this romantic town, but we enjoyed window shopping. That evening, in a store window on the cool streets of a darkened Florence, I saw the most beautiful-colored sweater in the whole world. It was a wonderful shade of rust, and I knew immediately I had to have it. Alas, the store was closed.
We spent the next day in Rome, and when we returned to Florence in the evening, the store was again closed. I tried again the next day, but it was closed yet again. Distraught, I found myself on the bus heading to the airport. We left Italy but that sweater remained fresh in my mind. Back in the states, I checked local stores and shops but found nothing close in color.
Two years later – on another ski trip to Italy – I again noticed this pumpkin color in store windows – only this time it wasn’t just one sweater and it wasn’t just one store. It was many styles in many stores!! I was in heaven to see so much different pumpkin-colored clothing from which to choose. And I’m happy to report that later that year I began to notice different stores in the states finally offering clothing in shades of pumpkin.
So I guess from 2004 to now it has become an obsession, due in part to my strong desire for the color and in part because I just couldn’t find it anywhere. Today I own many different shades of pumpkin shirts, sweaters, fleeces, gym bags, jackets, bedding, blankets, and dishes. I even buy clothes for my husband in this shade just so I can see the color without having to look in a mirror!
I am not totally obsessed with the color, maybe just a little obsessed.

Pearle and pierce home - Itacsa Leathergood

Images can be found on Pearle and Pierce Home's website