Outside my window ... sun! after a few cold, miserable days. And the very last of the roses which are due for their winter prune.
I am hearing ... ABC Sydney 702 radio online. Morning show with Sarah McDonald.
I am reading ... Janelle Wind's stunning first book, fresh off the press. It is delightful. Called 'Pieces of Me', it is a collection of fresh & happy small projects. Janelle has posted about her book here, here and here. And you can find stockists here.
From the kitchen ... a recipe for a winter warming soup. I've not cooked this recipe for years, but after its popularity at a dinner with friends last weekend, it has been revived.
carrot & cashew nut soup
800mL well-flavoured chicken stock
½” piece of ginger, peeled & finely grated
½ nutmeg, finely grated
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves garlic, crushed
100g roasted cashews
600g young carrots, peeled & chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
natural yoghurt & parsley for garnishing
Sauté onions in oil until transparent. Add remaining ingredients, except stock. Cover & cook on low heat for 10 minutes. Add stock & simmer until well-cooked. Discard cinnamon stick & puree remaining ingredients. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Serve with a swirl of natural yoghurt & garnish with parsley.
I am in awe of ... the talent of these young Aussie musicians. Calling themselves Aston, they are a group of classically trained musicians at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
I am hoping ... to sew today, with a Verna layer cake by Kate Spain. I have a quick quilt planned!
I am thinking ... of my Dad today. It is his birthday, and he would have been 70, had the dreaded cancer not struck 3 years ago. He would have dawdled up the drive in his farm truck, checked the lupin crop in the front paddock, joked that it wasn't as good as his, shared a cup of coffee, demanded 'something good to eat' & told me the same old stories he had been telling me for years. I miss him!
From my picture journal ... a favourite photo of my nephew at a family paddock barbeque recently. There had been so much rain that there were frogs EVERYWHERE. They are lots of fun to catch!
Have a great weekend, Bloom x
The soup recipe looks yummy and as soon as I check the pantry, I'll be giving it a try! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAh, those bittersweet special days are hard...one has to try to focus on the "special" part...but it isn't easy! Lovely blog!
What a lovely day book posting. Treasure all the special memories of your Dad, mine is never far from my mind either. That is a gorgeous photo of your nephew and the frog!! Looking forward to trying your soup recipe. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific post, I loved listening to the music while reading. The soup resipe looks wonderful, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Ros. I'm loving Janelle's new book (even though I haven't seen it in real life) I did make a rule about buying no patterns this year.
ReplyDeleteNice memories of your Dad. My Dad wanders around my house when he visits. I love it. Like he's keeping an eye on the place. :)
Lovely Post Ros...Gorgeous Roses..
ReplyDeletehave a Good weekend..
cheers
I miss my dad too - what a lovely post. We've had lots of frogs this year too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such a fun post of interesting topics. Thanks too for the book recommendation. Hope you get to sew today!
ReplyDeletethanks for posting the link to Aston and showing their video. I'm in awe too. Can't wait till they bring out their first album.
ReplyDeleteKeep those posts coming, awesome!
Hi Ros, Lovely post. The more the years go on the 'stronger' the missing becomes... The book and the cuppa on your table look so inviting. Enjoy! Just gorgeous photo of your nephew - real joy in his eyes. Hope you got to sew and also had a great long weekend. Leanne.
ReplyDeleteI love the frog photo!!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your Dad.
Gorgeous roses!