This is a great soup and definitely a keeper. Just the thing you need not only to warm you up but also cheer you up on a grey and dingy winter evening. Those days nothing feels better than to have a big bowl of warm and tasty soup and some crusty bread to sop it up with!!
Potato, leek and bacon
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
300g/12oz leeks, washed and finely sliced
300g/12oz potatoes, peeled and sliced
150g/6oz bacon, chopped. (I use 3-4 slices)
700ml/1¼pt stock (fresh chicken stock is best for flavor but stock cubes can be used)
290ml/½ pint milk (I'm not keen on milk for a variety of reasons and don't think the soup actually needs it. If it's a little gloupy - as potato based soups can get - I simply add more stock or just plain water)
fresh ground black pepper
Method
1. Sauté the potato, leeks and bacon in a pan, until soft but not coloured.
2. Add the stock and cook until the potatoes are tender. (about 15-20mins)
3. Whizz it, return to the pan and add the milk/stock/water.
4. Serve with warm chunks of bread or rolls spread with butter!!
How easy is that!! I love recipe's like this that produce loads of flavor and wow factor for very little work!
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Night Lights
These were taken a few weeks ago when we had to go up to London. I love this bridge so much, she's so stately and timeless. For me, she's the very heart of London.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Beanie Love!
I have finished my very first beanie……for the second time!
This time I’ve sewn it up instead of ripping it back. (Read - taking a pair of sissors to it because at the time the yarn refused to rip and sissors appeared to be the only other alternative, PLUS cutting it was only slightly more scary that owning a too small beanie…I think I’d been drinking.)
I’m still not convinced that the finished product is a) neat enough to give away or b) the right size for the recipients head however it’s not all bad since it fits me quite nicely!!
Mostly though I'm just pretty darn proud of myself for actually knitting a beanie. Oh I know in the knitting scheme of things it's no big deal and next to the cardigan I finished recently this is small fry, I'll agree. But I love it anyway and the world seems somehow brighter. After the cardigan I was proud yes, but also exhausted. After the beanie I feel like casting on for another!!!
Suddenly there is so much oppertunity out there. Think stripes, think cables, think POM POMS!!!!
A-hem...unfortunatly I don’t have photos at the moment because I don’t have time for that sort of frivolity however I shall try to have some done over the weekend. No really I will try!!
It’s all getting a little ridiculous at the moment because the last postal dates are coming up quickly and with the huge amount of stuff I send out at this time every year...well lets just say I do put the silly in the silly season!
There are ‘things’ to be sorted and wrapped, cards and letters to be written, 7 birthdays to be accounted for and cards/presents to be included where appropriate. AND all of this needs to be carted down to the over crowded post office and indiviually weighed to get the correct postage to ensure that if something does come back to me…it ain’t my fault (are you listening this year Royal Mail?? The address to send the parcel/card to is on the front. Y'know, where the stamp is!!!!)
If that isn’t enough for you then I raise the stakes by sending said cards and parcels to no less than four different countries!!!!
Excuse me while I go open another bottle of wine!
This time I’ve sewn it up instead of ripping it back. (Read - taking a pair of sissors to it because at the time the yarn refused to rip and sissors appeared to be the only other alternative, PLUS cutting it was only slightly more scary that owning a too small beanie…I think I’d been drinking.)
I’m still not convinced that the finished product is a) neat enough to give away or b) the right size for the recipients head however it’s not all bad since it fits me quite nicely!!
Mostly though I'm just pretty darn proud of myself for actually knitting a beanie. Oh I know in the knitting scheme of things it's no big deal and next to the cardigan I finished recently this is small fry, I'll agree. But I love it anyway and the world seems somehow brighter. After the cardigan I was proud yes, but also exhausted. After the beanie I feel like casting on for another!!!
Suddenly there is so much oppertunity out there. Think stripes, think cables, think POM POMS!!!!
A-hem...unfortunatly I don’t have photos at the moment because I don’t have time for that sort of frivolity however I shall try to have some done over the weekend. No really I will try!!
It’s all getting a little ridiculous at the moment because the last postal dates are coming up quickly and with the huge amount of stuff I send out at this time every year...well lets just say I do put the silly in the silly season!
There are ‘things’ to be sorted and wrapped, cards and letters to be written, 7 birthdays to be accounted for and cards/presents to be included where appropriate. AND all of this needs to be carted down to the over crowded post office and indiviually weighed to get the correct postage to ensure that if something does come back to me…it ain’t my fault (are you listening this year Royal Mail?? The address to send the parcel/card to is on the front. Y'know, where the stamp is!!!!)
If that isn’t enough for you then I raise the stakes by sending said cards and parcels to no less than four different countries!!!!
Excuse me while I go open another bottle of wine!
Thursday, 22 November 2007
That Knitting Feeling
Knitting is cool…knitting is great…knitting is addictive and obsessive and compulsive!
Below is a selection of some of the things I want to knit in the new year.
The list is in no way complete, in order of importance and I reserve the right to find a gazillion new and exciting patterns to do instead or as well as, if I so want!!
Ribbed cap by Judy Gibson – currently in progress and about 70% done. It will look like a hat in time.
Below is a selection of some of the things I want to knit in the new year.
The list is in no way complete, in order of importance and I reserve the right to find a gazillion new and exciting patterns to do instead or as well as, if I so want!!
Ribbed cap by Judy Gibson – currently in progress and about 70% done. It will look like a hat in time.
Juno Regina Stole by Miriam L Felton
Knitting Tote by Donna Yacino
Coachella by Fathom Harvill
Ariann by Bonne Marie Burns
It's my aim to get the stole, tote and two tops done within the next 12 months. I know I knit slow but am hoping that I will speed up a little with experience and so I don't think it's too much to hope for. Unless of course I find other equally desireable and distracting patterns that I must knit now!!
Beans Mean Soup!
Ok…I’ll fess up…this is not a new soup but one we have again and again. It is however a winter soup if ever there was one as it’s so warming and lovely, plus it’s a cinch to make. All of which are exactly what I needed this week!
Bean and Tomato Soup
Ingredients500ml crushed tomatoes (I use a tin…it’s a bit less but does the job fine)
500ml chicken stock
500gm cooked red kidney beans. (again I just use a tin…two will make it thicker)
2 x garlic cloves crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp of harissa or chilli paste (to taste really)
Add tomatoes, beans and chicken stock into a blender or whatever and whiz till course (not smooth)
Put it all in a pot and add the garlic, lemon & harissa paste and heat till boiling.
Simmer for 10 mins or till well heated through and serve with chopped chives and parsley or grated Parmesan and crusty bread.
To atone for not having a new and exciting soup here are some more food pictures...
Banana cake! Hmmm……yummo
Beano pie! My take on one of the truly delicious pies we get from the shop down the street!
Bean and Tomato Soup
Ingredients500ml crushed tomatoes (I use a tin…it’s a bit less but does the job fine)
500ml chicken stock
500gm cooked red kidney beans. (again I just use a tin…two will make it thicker)
2 x garlic cloves crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp of harissa or chilli paste (to taste really)
Add tomatoes, beans and chicken stock into a blender or whatever and whiz till course (not smooth)
Put it all in a pot and add the garlic, lemon & harissa paste and heat till boiling.
Simmer for 10 mins or till well heated through and serve with chopped chives and parsley or grated Parmesan and crusty bread.
To atone for not having a new and exciting soup here are some more food pictures...
Banana cake! Hmmm……yummo
Beano pie! My take on one of the truly delicious pies we get from the shop down the street! Now ok it's not the prettiest pie you ever did see but BOY did it taste good!!!
Dark Skies
Nothing exciting has happened today so here are some photos of the houses behind ours two weekends ago. I looked out the window to see the sun shining as bright as it ever did in summer and with the black clouds I thought it looked very moody! Wasn't long before the sun disapeared and the rain came down tho.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
No Brainer!
I think I’ve used up all my brain cells.
I wasn’t aware that I had a finite amount but it’s becoming clear that demand is exceeding supply. The progression of the problem is such that it is clearly visible not only to myself and those that know and love me regardless but also to complete strangers.
I am a very organised person. I write lists…hell I’m the queen of lists. I have lists of my lists……which is another discussion altogether! It’s enough just to say that I squeeze many things into my days. Sometimes I take on too much but usually I manage and on the odd occasion that I don’t there’s always some knitting and a glass of wine to help me regain perspective!
However recently it seems that I am incapable (not only of doing nothing but) of functioning at my usual standards. Recently it seems I have trouble buttoning up my shirts! In fact things are so bad I’m surprised I’m still feeding myself.
I’ve sent cards to the wrong addresses, double booked (and bought tickets) on no less than three occasions…and counting AND this morning I was busy standing in front of the door of my train waiting for the driver to appear and unlock it so I could find my seat and go to sleep when another ‘regular’ on the train approached me. It went a little something like this…
Me (muttering to myself) – “What does he want? This isn’t his usual carriage, go away strange man.”
Man (not strange at all) – “You do know there’s another train further up?”
Me – “Wah?”
Man – “Your standing in front of the wrong train?”
Me (looking at watch) – “Huh?”
Man (giving up and starting to walk away from a lost cause) – “The train we catch is in front of this train.”
Me (comprehension slowly dawning on me and running after man) – “OH MY GOD! Thank you so much, that’s so nice of you, I can’t believe I was that stupid”
Man (clearly sorry he stopped to talk to the strange lady) – “ah…excuse me!”
This degeneration of my intellect has been going on for a few months now and I am steadfast in my placement of the blame. It’s the weather and Christmas. One or the other I could handle but Snow in November (cruelly not at my house) and prolonged exposure to loud Christmas carols has rendered me unfit for participation in my own life, let alone any involvement in the outside world.
However I still have enough of my facilities to be exceedingly grateful to the lovely man who, although I see every day I’ve never spoken too, decided to take a moment out of his morning to ensure someone else’s morning wasn’t incredibly disastrous. Thank you. You have restored my faith in public transport and those that travel on it. And after last nights nose picking, mp3 sharing hooligan that’s really something!!
I wasn’t aware that I had a finite amount but it’s becoming clear that demand is exceeding supply. The progression of the problem is such that it is clearly visible not only to myself and those that know and love me regardless but also to complete strangers.
I am a very organised person. I write lists…hell I’m the queen of lists. I have lists of my lists……which is another discussion altogether! It’s enough just to say that I squeeze many things into my days. Sometimes I take on too much but usually I manage and on the odd occasion that I don’t there’s always some knitting and a glass of wine to help me regain perspective!
However recently it seems that I am incapable (not only of doing nothing but) of functioning at my usual standards. Recently it seems I have trouble buttoning up my shirts! In fact things are so bad I’m surprised I’m still feeding myself.
I’ve sent cards to the wrong addresses, double booked (and bought tickets) on no less than three occasions…and counting AND this morning I was busy standing in front of the door of my train waiting for the driver to appear and unlock it so I could find my seat and go to sleep when another ‘regular’ on the train approached me. It went a little something like this…
Me (muttering to myself) – “What does he want? This isn’t his usual carriage, go away strange man.”
Man (not strange at all) – “You do know there’s another train further up?”
Me – “Wah?”
Man – “Your standing in front of the wrong train?”
Me (looking at watch) – “Huh?”
Man (giving up and starting to walk away from a lost cause) – “The train we catch is in front of this train.”
Me (comprehension slowly dawning on me and running after man) – “OH MY GOD! Thank you so much, that’s so nice of you, I can’t believe I was that stupid”
Man (clearly sorry he stopped to talk to the strange lady) – “ah…excuse me!”
This degeneration of my intellect has been going on for a few months now and I am steadfast in my placement of the blame. It’s the weather and Christmas. One or the other I could handle but Snow in November (cruelly not at my house) and prolonged exposure to loud Christmas carols has rendered me unfit for participation in my own life, let alone any involvement in the outside world.
However I still have enough of my facilities to be exceedingly grateful to the lovely man who, although I see every day I’ve never spoken too, decided to take a moment out of his morning to ensure someone else’s morning wasn’t incredibly disastrous. Thank you. You have restored my faith in public transport and those that travel on it. And after last nights nose picking, mp3 sharing hooligan that’s really something!!
Hibernation
I am not a person who does nothing.
There are many people out there (and I doff my hat to them) who have no problems at all doing nothing. They will sit around all day without even giving it a second thought and achieve little but relaxation. See…I can’t even think of people doing nothing without hoping that they get something out of it. They might not be relaxed at all!
I should state that by nothing I mean nothing productive. I don’t mean simply sitting in a chair staring at the wall…although that is both doing nothing…and doing something…since you are actually sitting and staring…...oh dear!
In any case I am incapable. I spend my weekends in a hive of activity…I usually write a list so long that even superman would struggle to complete it. My week nights are carefully allocated time slots filled with dedication and determination. I will do everything, I will do it perfectly and I won’t waste any time about it!!!
I can’t help it. It’s the way I am. Some might say it’s unhealthy but I say no more so that other quirks people have like eating Vegemite and cheese together………
I have for some time now been working on ways to lessen the stress caused by not getting entire lists completed. Training myself to write smaller lists and to simply transfer the “un-ticked” items to a new list rather than throwing a tantrum. It seems to be working too. With smaller lists I accomplish a greater percentage of the items and therefore feel better about myself and life in general. It must be having a knock on effect as well because Sunday…
for the first time ever…………
I did nothing.
Now I’m going to qualify that because although it felt like nothing to me (ie I accomplished nothing) to others it may look like I actually did a fair bit. So to clear things up...
Sunday I sat on the couch, watched Sherlock Holmes for the entire afternoon and knitted a beanie!
What makes me feel like I did nothing is all the things I didn’t do. I didn’t cook, I didn’t do the washing, I didn’t study, I didn’t take any photos, I didn’t go through any paperwork, I didn’t check my email, I didn’t go down to the pub as planned, I didn’t move from the couch except to get snacks etc.
In my defence it was blowing a gale and snowing…or hailing or sleeting or everything and there was really nothing on this earth that would have moved me from my comfy warm spot on the couch!!
Of course now I have to get everything done tonight!!!
There are many people out there (and I doff my hat to them) who have no problems at all doing nothing. They will sit around all day without even giving it a second thought and achieve little but relaxation. See…I can’t even think of people doing nothing without hoping that they get something out of it. They might not be relaxed at all!
I should state that by nothing I mean nothing productive. I don’t mean simply sitting in a chair staring at the wall…although that is both doing nothing…and doing something…since you are actually sitting and staring…...oh dear!
In any case I am incapable. I spend my weekends in a hive of activity…I usually write a list so long that even superman would struggle to complete it. My week nights are carefully allocated time slots filled with dedication and determination. I will do everything, I will do it perfectly and I won’t waste any time about it!!!
I can’t help it. It’s the way I am. Some might say it’s unhealthy but I say no more so that other quirks people have like eating Vegemite and cheese together………
I have for some time now been working on ways to lessen the stress caused by not getting entire lists completed. Training myself to write smaller lists and to simply transfer the “un-ticked” items to a new list rather than throwing a tantrum. It seems to be working too. With smaller lists I accomplish a greater percentage of the items and therefore feel better about myself and life in general. It must be having a knock on effect as well because Sunday…
for the first time ever…………
I did nothing.
Now I’m going to qualify that because although it felt like nothing to me (ie I accomplished nothing) to others it may look like I actually did a fair bit. So to clear things up...
Sunday I sat on the couch, watched Sherlock Holmes for the entire afternoon and knitted a beanie!
What makes me feel like I did nothing is all the things I didn’t do. I didn’t cook, I didn’t do the washing, I didn’t study, I didn’t take any photos, I didn’t go through any paperwork, I didn’t check my email, I didn’t go down to the pub as planned, I didn’t move from the couch except to get snacks etc.
In my defence it was blowing a gale and snowing…or hailing or sleeting or everything and there was really nothing on this earth that would have moved me from my comfy warm spot on the couch!!
Of course now I have to get everything done tonight!!!
Friday, 16 November 2007
Thursday Soup Kitchen
MY God was it cold this morning!!! Windscreens frozen over and the countryside as white as if it had actually snowed. And I had to look twice as in some places it did actually look like snow! Sadly it wasn’t and even more sadly I didn’t have my camera with me…these are the times I wish I had a camera phone!
Anyway perfect weather for soup I reckon!! Unfortunately I was all out of inspiration this week. I really wanted to do something a little different or more unusual but couldn't find anything I wanted to eat and just ended up chucking everything I could find into the pot.
It’s not a bad way to go about it, particularly when trying to use up vegetables towards the end of the week or just wanting something warm and comforting to munch on.
Anyway perfect weather for soup I reckon!! Unfortunately I was all out of inspiration this week. I really wanted to do something a little different or more unusual but couldn't find anything I wanted to eat and just ended up chucking everything I could find into the pot.
It’s not a bad way to go about it, particularly when trying to use up vegetables towards the end of the week or just wanting something warm and comforting to munch on.
Mish Mash Soup, Whatever Soup, Leftover Soup, Bitsa Soup, 'Little bit of this' Soup, 'All together' Soup, 'You name it, we got it' Soup, Pot 'O Soup etc, etc...
So here’s what I put in…
1 large onion
2 sticks of celery
1 small carrot (would have put more if we’d had them)
Some broccoli
Some cauliflower
Large handful of rice (any will work just fine)
Enough vegetable stock to cover the veg
Herbs, salt and pepper as you wish (I did basil, oregano & parsley with some black pepper…I’ll add salt at the end if it needs it)
Chop it all up and then whack it all into a pot.
Bring to the boil and then simmer till the rice and veg are cooked.
Then you can either whiz for a smooth soup or leave as is for a chunky soup
Serve with warm bread rolls smothered in butter!!!
Note: - if you make this ahead of time like I do you may find you have to add more liquid to the soup when you come to reheat it as the rice will absorb it all.
And there you go. Never the same twice but always yummy and perfect for those days you can’t be bothered cooking. I’m sure you’ve all done something similar before.
I think the most exciting thing about this soup is that I was cooking a courgette (zucchini) bake which calls for the excess juice to be squeezed out of the courgette and in a fit of old style self sufficiency I saved the juice and used it in the vegetable stock for the soup! It was a very satisfying green colour and just think of all that extra goodness!!!
For those cooking type people I not only cooked the soup and the courgette bake but also did a smoked salmon quiche (so, so good!) and banana & butterscotch chocolate muffins (drool).
I’m feeling the need to do something really nice this weekend…something that requires a little more effort and if this happens and I remember the camera I’ll post some pic’s of whatever I make next Monday. Maybe a pie…
1 large onion
2 sticks of celery
1 small carrot (would have put more if we’d had them)
Some broccoli
Some cauliflower
Large handful of rice (any will work just fine)
Enough vegetable stock to cover the veg
Herbs, salt and pepper as you wish (I did basil, oregano & parsley with some black pepper…I’ll add salt at the end if it needs it)
Chop it all up and then whack it all into a pot.
Bring to the boil and then simmer till the rice and veg are cooked.
Then you can either whiz for a smooth soup or leave as is for a chunky soup
Serve with warm bread rolls smothered in butter!!!
Note: - if you make this ahead of time like I do you may find you have to add more liquid to the soup when you come to reheat it as the rice will absorb it all.
And there you go. Never the same twice but always yummy and perfect for those days you can’t be bothered cooking. I’m sure you’ve all done something similar before.
I think the most exciting thing about this soup is that I was cooking a courgette (zucchini) bake which calls for the excess juice to be squeezed out of the courgette and in a fit of old style self sufficiency I saved the juice and used it in the vegetable stock for the soup! It was a very satisfying green colour and just think of all that extra goodness!!!
For those cooking type people I not only cooked the soup and the courgette bake but also did a smoked salmon quiche (so, so good!) and banana & butterscotch chocolate muffins (drool).
I’m feeling the need to do something really nice this weekend…something that requires a little more effort and if this happens and I remember the camera I’ll post some pic’s of whatever I make next Monday. Maybe a pie…
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Wednesday Ramblings
Having finished the cardigan I now find myself with a multitude of slightly smaller projects to knit for Christmas that need starting ASAP but for lack of yarn or the correct needle size or whatever I can’t do anything yet.
I am not worried tho noooo…I have from a reliable source that there are still 42 knitting days before Christmas and I am confident that I will get these things finished……stop laughing. As the local store doesn’t seem to stock very much of what I need I’ve ordered these things online and hopefully I shall be knitting happily away over the weekend. Currently I’m biding my time knitting this....the Pippa felted bag by Rowan
I am not worried tho noooo…I have from a reliable source that there are still 42 knitting days before Christmas and I am confident that I will get these things finished……stop laughing. As the local store doesn’t seem to stock very much of what I need I’ve ordered these things online and hopefully I shall be knitting happily away over the weekend. Currently I’m biding my time knitting this....the Pippa felted bag by Rowan
It’s a bag…it's a felted bag. It shall be pretty and make people stop me in the street to ask me where I bought it when I have finished it!! Oh yes it shall!
I have one side done so far so I guess that’s about a third of the way. It’s straight forward and mindless which is nice when you’re watching TV and trying to keep tabs on who’s got what power in Hero’s!
Can anyone else feel the hot breath of the festive season on their necks? We have our first Christmas card, restaurants are taking bookings and the stores all have their decorations up. Christmas adds are all over the TV and the race for the No.1 Music Chart position has started.
YUP, tis the season to huddle in fear under the duvet with a bottle of scotch...or is that just me?
The new program for the Duke of York cinema has come out and it is jam packed with loads of stuff I want to see but know I will never have the time. It’s not just sad it’s a crime to have such a cinema so close and use it so infrequently. I hang my head low with shame but see no way to change the situation…at least this year. (oh and you know Christmas is close when you start saying that!!!!)
Perhaps I should switch soup of the week for film of the week but I’m still not sure that would miraculously create extra hours in my week.
And to finish off this rambling blog here’s a weird photo for you. Took it a week ago through the window and I think it's pretty cool!
Monday, 12 November 2007
FINISHED!!!!
YAY...it's finished!!!! Well ok, it's actually been finished for a week now but I've not had the time to take photos and there seemed little point to posting without the proof to back it up. Anyway now it's been very carefully ironed and seems to be sitting as well as its gonna. There is some gathering where the rib meets the front panels but since this is all first time stuff for me I'm just pleased to have a garment that I'd be happy to wear out in public! A little gathering never hurt anyone anyhoo.
So despite the length of time it's taken and the previously mentioned gathering I'm really quite proud of myself. I've been told it wasn't the easiest of patterns for someone with limited knitting experience and it has definitely been a steep learning curve. However I don't hate the colour and I can stand the sight of it even after all the ripping and tinking that was involved so that must mean it's a success!!!!
The finished product!!(Please ignore the mess in the background)
A clearer shot of the cardy 
An arty shot of the stitches!
So despite the length of time it's taken and the previously mentioned gathering I'm really quite proud of myself. I've been told it wasn't the easiest of patterns for someone with limited knitting experience and it has definitely been a steep learning curve. However I don't hate the colour and I can stand the sight of it even after all the ripping and tinking that was involved so that must mean it's a success!!!!
The finished product!!(Please ignore the mess in the background)
A clearer shot of the cardy 
An arty shot of the stitches! Saturday, 10 November 2007
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Broad Bean Soup
Easy Peasy. This is a real wintery one and should be eaten with crusty bread or possibly some thickly cut garlic bread....nice!
Broad Bean Soup
Ingredients
90g/1oz unsalted butter
1 ½ potato approx, peeled and diced (small to medium size….larger ones work but the soup becomes really thick)
870ml/1 ½ pint vegetable stock
255g/9oz broad beans, cooked and shelled
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful of parsley, chopped
splash of white wine
Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the potato for 3-4 minutes.Then pour in the stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat.Stir in the broad beans, seasoning and parsley and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the veg are tender.Add the white wine if you are going to and whiz the soup till it’s smooth and yummy looking. Return to the pan to warm through and serve.
oops....nearly forgot to say this serves 3...or 4 if used as starter
Broad Bean Soup
Ingredients
90g/1oz unsalted butter
1 ½ potato approx, peeled and diced (small to medium size….larger ones work but the soup becomes really thick)
870ml/1 ½ pint vegetable stock
255g/9oz broad beans, cooked and shelled
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful of parsley, chopped
splash of white wine
Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the potato for 3-4 minutes.Then pour in the stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat.Stir in the broad beans, seasoning and parsley and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the veg are tender.Add the white wine if you are going to and whiz the soup till it’s smooth and yummy looking. Return to the pan to warm through and serve.
oops....nearly forgot to say this serves 3...or 4 if used as starter
Ravelry, ravelry, ravelry...
What a great idea that site is! I can happily whittle away the day just wandering around other peoples projects. Finding out what they are doing with the same yarn that I have. Looking for inspiration...and finding it in larger quantities than I can handle!
If any knitters are reading this chances are they've heard of it otherwise you may be wondering what I'm raving on about! Ravelry is a knitting site, a community, a database, an information source and a source of inspiration all rolled into one. I say knitting but it also includes crochet, spinning and other such crafty pursuits.
It gathers all these crafty type people into one place and accumulates information about them. What they've knitted recently, works in progress, what they want to do next, what yarn is in their stash, what they think of various patterns and yarns. Then after that's done you sit back and enjoy the important task of browsing!!
I can search on patterns or yarns or yarn companies or designers or people or groups or places (there are quite a few knitters where I am!). I can read their blogs and websites, message them, ask for advice or join a group or post on the forum. If I find something I like I can bookmark it; putting patterns in my queue is something I'm doing a little tooo much of late. My queue is ninety hundred miles long at the moment!
It really is quite an amazing resource...but I haven't logged of it in what feels like 3 days!!! eek
If any knitters are reading this chances are they've heard of it otherwise you may be wondering what I'm raving on about! Ravelry is a knitting site, a community, a database, an information source and a source of inspiration all rolled into one. I say knitting but it also includes crochet, spinning and other such crafty pursuits.
It gathers all these crafty type people into one place and accumulates information about them. What they've knitted recently, works in progress, what they want to do next, what yarn is in their stash, what they think of various patterns and yarns. Then after that's done you sit back and enjoy the important task of browsing!!
I can search on patterns or yarns or yarn companies or designers or people or groups or places (there are quite a few knitters where I am!). I can read their blogs and websites, message them, ask for advice or join a group or post on the forum. If I find something I like I can bookmark it; putting patterns in my queue is something I'm doing a little tooo much of late. My queue is ninety hundred miles long at the moment!
It really is quite an amazing resource...but I haven't logged of it in what feels like 3 days!!! eek
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Bonfires Burning....
Guy Fawkes Night was the main attraction this weekend. Technically it’s today but most people and public displays of fireworks celebrated on the Saturday because that’s what weekends are for! The “official” displays at Lewes are on tonight but I don’t think we’re going to make it this year. Just can’t be bothered with the crowds and hassle even though the fireworks there are the best I’ve ever seen.
Anyway here are a couple of photos of our bonfire celebration. We went up to a friends allotment and burnt all the wood we’d saved up over the year, cooked produce off the allotment, drank mulled wine and generally had a very entertaining night which had very little to do with the original meaning of the night.
Anyway here are a couple of photos of our bonfire celebration. We went up to a friends allotment and burnt all the wood we’d saved up over the year, cooked produce off the allotment, drank mulled wine and generally had a very entertaining night which had very little to do with the original meaning of the night.
Anyway it was a great night and I’ll get more photos online this week (fingers crossed!)
The bonfire
The food a burnin!
A wobbly firework
Catherine wheel
A big box thing which was called "super nova".
The bonfire
The food a burnin!
A wobbly firework
Catherine wheel
A big box thing which was called "super nova".Thursday, 1 November 2007
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
Proof that you should always listen to what it is that you feel you want to eat. This was the best soup I’ve done in ages and I think that was mostly because I’d made myself wait for so long before making it. I should have done it last week and disregarded the opinion of others. After all…when I feel sick or in need of comfort I don’t think Chicken and pasta broth….I think creamy, warm, smooth chickeny goodness.
And that’s what this soup is folks. It’s a winter soup, a comfort soup, a soup for the soul. Make it and make it now!!
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
1lt Chicken stock
1 bay leaf
200gm Chicken breast (I used 2 medium sized ones…came to a bit more than 300 and was fine)
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp Butter
1 small onion finely chopped
3 large leeks (green included) thinly chopped
2 stalks of celery, peeled & sliced
2 tbsp double cream (I didn’t put this in and don’t think you need it at all)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Salt & pepper
Heat the stock until steaming and then add in the bay leaf and chicken breasts.
Simmer for about 20 mins until the chicken is cooked.
Remove chicken from stock and set aside & dice when cooled. Throw away bay leaf.
Place the flour in a bowl and slowly whisk in the stock to form a smooth liquid. Use about ½ the stock.
Sauté half the celery, all the leeks and onion in a pan with the butter.
Pour in the flour liquid and bring to the boil stirring constantly.
Add in the rest of the stock and simmer for 20mins until the veg are cooked.
Whiz the soup.
Stir in the nutmeg and cream (if your using it), ½ the celery and the diced chicken.
Simmer until the celery is cooked and season to taste.
I have a photo but it didn't turn out that well. There's a real trick to taking photos of food and making them look appetizing.....I haven't mastered it yet apparently so no photo this week!!
And that’s what this soup is folks. It’s a winter soup, a comfort soup, a soup for the soul. Make it and make it now!!
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
1lt Chicken stock
1 bay leaf
200gm Chicken breast (I used 2 medium sized ones…came to a bit more than 300 and was fine)
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp Butter
1 small onion finely chopped
3 large leeks (green included) thinly chopped
2 stalks of celery, peeled & sliced
2 tbsp double cream (I didn’t put this in and don’t think you need it at all)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Salt & pepper
Heat the stock until steaming and then add in the bay leaf and chicken breasts.
Simmer for about 20 mins until the chicken is cooked.
Remove chicken from stock and set aside & dice when cooled. Throw away bay leaf.
Place the flour in a bowl and slowly whisk in the stock to form a smooth liquid. Use about ½ the stock.
Sauté half the celery, all the leeks and onion in a pan with the butter.
Pour in the flour liquid and bring to the boil stirring constantly.
Add in the rest of the stock and simmer for 20mins until the veg are cooked.
Whiz the soup.
Stir in the nutmeg and cream (if your using it), ½ the celery and the diced chicken.
Simmer until the celery is cooked and season to taste.
I have a photo but it didn't turn out that well. There's a real trick to taking photos of food and making them look appetizing.....I haven't mastered it yet apparently so no photo this week!!
Nanowrimo
I’d like to do a bit of a shout out to all those people that started Nanowrimo today. They have ahead of them a month of pain and despair, of joy and triumph, of tears and laughter, of surprise and dead ends.
They will wear their fingers down to the nubs over 30 days, pull their hair out, bang their heads against the walls and punch the air with their fists! They will drink copious amounts of coffee and red bull, eat tons of chocolate and order enough take away to feed a small nation. Collectively they will type or write millions of words and quite possibly even invent some new ones. Together they will pace enough steps to circumnavigate the globe and on the quiet they will shed over a million tears of frustration and joy.
During this month they will distance themselves from friends and families. Instead they will gather with strangers in cafes and pubs around the globe. Huddling over pieces of paper and laptops, whispering advice, offering condolences and handing out encouragement.
They will lock themselves in bedrooms, spare rooms and bathrooms to find peace. They will turn music up or down, hide TV remote controls and go to any lengths to find quiet.
They will focus all their energies onto one task and in doing so will become writers.
Those that can go the distance, stay on track, hold to their purpose…they will become novelists.
Last year there were over 79,000 participants from countries all over the world, 13,000 of which crossed the finish line with 50,000 words or more. In the corners of blogs and websites across the internet you will come across tiny icons with the words “Nanowrimo winner”. These are the people who stuck too it and wrote through all the pain coming out the other end of November with a real, live novel.
For the past three years I have proudly been one of them…but sadly not this year. I want to, I really do. I feel like I’m letting the side down. I feel left out, unloved and alone. I could still start now despite no preparation (ok so I’ve been thinking about this idea for the last month) BUT I have to be strong. I have a course to finish and I know how disappointed I’ll be if I don’t achieve this. So the choice had to be made and I can live with it although today is hard.
Of course nothings going to stop me fine tuning my idea and holding my own Nanowrimo in March!!
They will wear their fingers down to the nubs over 30 days, pull their hair out, bang their heads against the walls and punch the air with their fists! They will drink copious amounts of coffee and red bull, eat tons of chocolate and order enough take away to feed a small nation. Collectively they will type or write millions of words and quite possibly even invent some new ones. Together they will pace enough steps to circumnavigate the globe and on the quiet they will shed over a million tears of frustration and joy.
During this month they will distance themselves from friends and families. Instead they will gather with strangers in cafes and pubs around the globe. Huddling over pieces of paper and laptops, whispering advice, offering condolences and handing out encouragement.
They will lock themselves in bedrooms, spare rooms and bathrooms to find peace. They will turn music up or down, hide TV remote controls and go to any lengths to find quiet.
They will focus all their energies onto one task and in doing so will become writers.
Those that can go the distance, stay on track, hold to their purpose…they will become novelists.
Last year there were over 79,000 participants from countries all over the world, 13,000 of which crossed the finish line with 50,000 words or more. In the corners of blogs and websites across the internet you will come across tiny icons with the words “Nanowrimo winner”. These are the people who stuck too it and wrote through all the pain coming out the other end of November with a real, live novel.
For the past three years I have proudly been one of them…but sadly not this year. I want to, I really do. I feel like I’m letting the side down. I feel left out, unloved and alone. I could still start now despite no preparation (ok so I’ve been thinking about this idea for the last month) BUT I have to be strong. I have a course to finish and I know how disappointed I’ll be if I don’t achieve this. So the choice had to be made and I can live with it although today is hard.
Of course nothings going to stop me fine tuning my idea and holding my own Nanowrimo in March!!
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