Bits and pieces

Back in Melbourne now, and it is lovely to be back. Back to my fish, who survived a lonely week in a dark and quiet house. Back to my recipe folder, which thanks to a visit to the Royal Easter Show has now doubled in size with yummy things to try. Back to my cosy house, my thriving little garden and crazy weather. Back to my Sewing Machine! Hurrah!

First of all, I must bid a sad farewell to one of my longest and dearest friends.

Spotlight at Dee Why is no longer! As fabric stores go, it was the greatest, exceeding all others in fabric chaos, reliably predictable staff, and of course aisles and aisles of every crafty bit you have ever needed.

I am really sad to see the end of an era! Now it has moved to a giant horrible mall miles away from any sort of decent public transport.

Would it be sad to buy a car purely so I can drive to a fabric store?

In happier news, a new recipe test will happen this evening. It is a bit of a variation on a Gordon Ramsey Fast Food Recipe - http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/gordon-ramsay/bacon-pea-goatscheese-omelette-recipe_p_1.html where I will use pancetta instead of bacon and spinach instead of peas (GROSS, peas!!) but I am hopping around in excitement to eat the goats cheese. It is sitting in the fridge beckoning to me.

Next to try will be a spinach and chorizo soup, but I'll regale you with the ins and outs of that after the Gordon Ramsey fest.

Yesterday I made my Mum's classic homely cosy yummy pumpkin soup. Here's the recipe - so easy and basic but SOOOO rewarding:

750g pumpkin

3 small brown onions

60g butter

1 1/2 cups water

3 chicken stock cubes

Salt and pepper

To serve: chopped chives and cream, if desired.

Chop pumpkin roughly and boil in unsalted water until tender. Melt butter in pan and cook onions until soft but not brown. Place all ingredients in a blender and whizz til smooth, or push through a sieve. Reheat as desired.

See? So easy, and wait til you eat it. Yum! And it should be served in bowls like the ones above, by http://ginadesantis.etsy.com/ as it gets cold quickly!