So maybe I'm going a little overboard today

A day off work means a day full of food. I can dice, cook, bake, and taste for as long as I gosh darn please! It's mid afternoon and I've already made 2 loaves of the best banana bread I've ever tasted for breakfast, homemade all organic minestrone soup with mozzarella grilled cheese for lunch, and organic cranberry sauce to snack on throughout the week! Best part: I have food for days now. There's a quart of soup left over, the second loaf of banana bread is being saved in the freezer for another week, and the cranberry sauce is jarred and in the fridge for whenever we feel like nibbling on it. Have I mentioned that I really life autumn? It's true. Autumn and cookbooks. Glorious. Here are the recipes! The bread is glorious, the cranberry sauce is yummy and easy, and the soup was delicious- it was the first homemade soup I've ever made and I didn't think it was intimidating at all. Just takes about an hour of loving attention.

BANANA BREAD
The spices and the orange zest do wonders. Plus, no gooey middles!
1 cup (2 sticks) butter softened but not melted
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla plus 1/4
tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. grated orange rind
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups white flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana pureed with 2/3 cups black coffee banana pureed with (honest, it's tasty!)

Instructions:Beat in large bowl, beginning with sugar or honey and butter, add eggs one at a time. Add remaining ingredients and beat until light in color. Add flour mixture and banana mixture alternately to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour.After each addition mix gently to combine, but do not over mix. Generously butter 2 loaf pans. Divide batter and bake at 350 F. for 40-50minutes or until done. Cool 10 minutes in the pan then remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

MINESTRONE SOUP
Keeps you warm and well-fed.
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
5 cloves crushed garlic
1 cup celery -- minced
1 cup carrot -- cubed
1 cup eggplant -- cubed (Or zucchini)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup fresh parsley -- chopped
1 can canneli beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dry pasta
1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
1 teaspoon basil
2 cups tomato puree
3 1/2 cups water or stock

In a soup kettle, saute garlic and onions in olive oil until they are soft and translucent.Add 1 tsp. salt, carrot, celery and eggplant.(If you use zucchini, add it with the green pepper.) Mix well.
Add oregano, black pepper and basil.Cover and cook over low heat 5-8 minutes.
Add green pepper, stock, puree, and beans.Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Add tomatoes and remaining salt.Keep at lowest heat until 10 minutes before you plan to serve.
Then, heat the soup to a boil, add pasta, and boil gently until pasta is tender.
Serve immediately, topped with parsley and parmesan.

WHOLE CRANBERRY SAUCE
Incredibly simple sweet treat.
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
12 oz bag of fresh cranberries

Bring water and sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You're done!