Daybook entry #4

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