Shortening does make a flakier type of pastry; however, I agree with Woofgang that butter or margarine is just about as good. Woofgang, is your middle name Amadeus?:)
I made a batch of Thai spiced squash soup the other day, squash is so good in soup.
I'm contemplating ratatouille and something, jambalaya or minestrone soup - although as I have no bread in the house the soup is unlikely to get to the table this evening.
The best pumpkin soup I ever tasted was in Jamaica. Their pumpkin has a different taste to it and they use coconut milk and of course their unique blend of spices...Excellent.
A closed-face hot chicken sandwich with peas and gravy. Left-overs from a Thanksgiving dinner we had yesterday...Left-overs are MUCH better than the original meal.