Today is the first day that I feel like my mind is finally back from vacation.

Mind you, my vacation was a long weekend (Friday-Sunday) but it was a much needed rest and recovery.

We went to Northern Michigan with J’s family for the weekend which happened to fall between classes so I had a care free 3 days and it was perfect.

Perfect and sunny and beautiful.

The fall colors were amazing…

The view from our rental house was amazing…

And our little place was so cozy…

It was so nice to get away and relax with the family. Such an amazing blessing. We even hiked on our way out of town at Sleeping Bear Dunes… seriously, this view will knock your socks off.

Totes gorg(eous) huh?

I don’t know about you but this pic somehow reminds me of Lord of the Rings. I think it’s J’s pants… they’re very shire-ish. Maybe not…

Anyway I’ve finally gotten back from vacation brain and am starting to hit my groove. Sort of.

And by groove I mean I’m actually cooking and some-what cleaning now.

And by now I mean just today.

And by cooking I mean I’m not just making eggs for dinner.

Just to be clear.

I made soup.  A big ole batch of Kale and Sausage Soup. It’s warm, hearty, healthy and exactly what these past few rainy cold days have been needing.

There are a lot of kale and sausage soup recipes out there but I really wasn’t in the mood for heavy cream and full fat milk… okay, let’s be real…. I’m always in the mood for heavy cream and full fat milk HOWEVER with the holidays around the corner, heavy cream will be abundantly flowing so I’m doing my best to hold off and just use half and half for now.

So here is what I used:

• 1 pound pork sausage
• 2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. dry basil
• 1 large bag kale (or 2 full heads)- with the leaves pulled off the stem
• 12 cups chicken broth
• 2.5 cups half and half

Here’s how you make it:

Brown sausage in a large soup pot with garlic and butter. When pork is cooked, add basil, kale and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Once soup is boiling, turn down to low and add the half and half. Simmer on low for at least 30 minutes or until kale is nice and soft. Serves 6-ish.

This soup is going to get me through a hard winter with even harder classes. It’s comfort food, for real.

Make this soup while sitting on the couch in your favorite over-sized sweater and your totally worn out yoga pants.

You’re welcome.

xo, Kirby