Sunday, 20 July 2008

Dancing with Shadows


A favourite Joanna Sheen cd - it's full of untold treasures for me - I love using the pics ... this card is a three fold concertina card for a man --

Gracias


Another pair of cards for my friend - I try to make enough to fill a large jiffy bag, normally around 10/12 cards - and because of the weight and packaging factor, I don't put too many embellishments on them because they would either get squashed or cost a bomb.

Feliz Anniversario


Another two cards for my Spanish good cause.. :-)

Felicidades


I have been making greetings cards with Spanish greetings on them, for a friend who lives over in Spain and devotes her time to helping stray and ill treated animals, since I am an animal nut, it's a very worthwhile cause for me to help.

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Soup that sticks to your Ribs !!

Made some home made soup today. I really do not know why not more people make it, cuz it is so easy and sooooo satisfying, plus there are no 'E' numbers or preservatives in it - just all goodness .........

heres how I did it - always use the freshest ingredients you can, cuz whatever you make is only as good as what you put into it.......

carrots, onions, leeks, butternut squash - just cut off a good lump, take the seeds out and peel to use ..
tomatoes, possibly a turnip, parsnip is very strong flavour - if you use any, just a little piece.
courgettes, garlic if you fancy - one clove or two and either chicken stock made from fresh chicken, or a chicken stock cube and 700ml of cold water, either cooked chicken or a drumstick or two and a couple of rashers of bacon. Of course, if you are veggie, no problem, just leave out the meaty bits.

Chop the bacon and put it into the base of a large soup pan with a drop of ordinary olive oil - cheapo will do, no need to use virgin olive oil. Cook the bacon gently and whilst it is cooking, chop all the veggies you have used (washed cleaned and deseeded first of course) I have put no amounts, because you use just what you have to hand, one or two carrots, etc .....

add the veggies to the bacon, along with the chopped cooked chicken if used, or the raw bits of chicken if used - see - you make your own choices........then add the water - 700ml will serve 4 good size soup mugs - those round ones with handles and either a recipe or pic of veg on the front of them - if you make it for 6 people, just make the water up to 1 litre.

Simmer it gently until the raw chicken, if used, is cooked and the veg are soft - then zap it all with a hand blender, add salt and pepper to taste and ENJOY !!! If you have used a lot of veg it goes naturally thick and creamy - sprinkle with a bit of chopped chives or mint leaves if liked, or be really decadent and swirl over a drop of cream .......mmmmmmmm