A Little Serenity

It has been many, many weeks since I walked in this beautiful, serene place. What a joy it was to set foot on the sand again. Step after sandy step, breath after cool breath, beside wave after gentle wave coming in and retreating again. 

A favourite place to walk.

As I walked, the welcome and familiar sound of the sea was beside me. The crash of waves coming in to the beach and that gentle fizz of foam as they retreat is the soundtrack I love to listen to on these walks. No earphones for me! I want to hear nature's "backing track" as I walk, I want to hear and say, "Good morning!" to those I pass and to the fishing folk who try their luck off the beach.

I saw much but I didn't photograph any of it. I didn't want to stop, to break that steady, familiar rhythm that I had settled into. I watched dolphins play offshore, their silvery grey bodies sleek and shiny in the sea. A lone Brahminy Kite soared overhead, her shadow on the sand alerted me to her presence above. Lots of little shells and a few pieces of sea glass were scattered the length of one quiet bay. Playful dogs, barking their happiness and chasing one another across the beach, reminded me just what it means to be carefree and totally absorbed in where one is and what one is doing.

I sometimes bring much that feels heavy to these shores and, at those times, I leave feeling lighter and grateful for the space and time to walk here. This beautiful place offers up to me a little serenity. I thought I would share it with you.

Meg

Inspiration in the Show Pavilion

I could spend hours in the pavilion at our local show. The others leave me to wander through happily while they go to find their own bliss. (Rides and ice-cream, of course!) All the homegrown fruits and vegetables, baking, crafts, paintings, photographs and flowers displayed on trestle tables, prize ribbons adorning some but not most, are just so inspiring to me. Here are some of the interesting entries that I found in the pavilion at my local show this year:

A prize winning, knobbly pumpkin.

A spiralling rug knitted from material reclaimed from old T-shirts.

Wedges of delicious shortbread ... I think the judges must have sampled a few!

Lovely colours in pretty crochet work.

A little circle of ripe red cherry tomatoes.

Jars of lemon and passionfruit butters. Mmm! 

A sweet little handmade doll.

A cushion made from repurposed denim. Complete with pocket!

A juicy homegrown grapefruit.

Vibrant crewel embroidery work. 

Gorgeous and fragrant blooms in their individual "vases".

There are so many talented people who live in our community! I always leave with a lots of ideas of what I'd like to grow or make or cook or learn. 

Do you go along to your local community's annual show or fair too?

Meg

Red Lentil, Bacon & Sweet Potato Soup

A nourishing soup on a cold Winter's night, served with toasted sandwiches or some fresh bread and butter, is a simple and warming meal. 

 Soup & Sandwiches

This particular soup is a firm favourite here. It is quick and easy to make from simple and wholesome ingredients. It tastes delicious and freezes well. My recipe is an adaptation on this one for a Lower GI Ham and Red Lentil Soup.

Red Lentil, Bacon & Sweet Potato Soup

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 brown onion, peeled and chopped

3-4 rashers bacon, trimmed and diced

3 stalks celery, washed and chopped

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced

1.5 Litres vegetable stock (or chicken stock)

500mLs water

1 & 1/4 cups of red lentils, rinsed and drained

black pepper 

1.  Heat oil in a heavy-based soup pot over medium heat.

2.  Add crushed garlic, onion & bacon to the pot and fry lightly until onion is soft. Stir often.

3.  Add celery and carrot to the pot and cook for few more minutes stirring regularly.

4.  Add stock and water to the pot. Bring to the boil at higher temperature and then reduce 

     heat to medium again.

5.  Add red lentils and sweet potato and simmer (turning heat down if you need to) until 

     lentils and sweet potato are tender.

6.  Season with a little freshly ground black pepper to taste.

7.  Garnish with finely chopped parsley if you wish & serve with fresh bread and butter or 

     perhaps some toasted sandwiches.

When it is cold or frosty outside, a bowl of homemade soup is something to look forward to. I find that the warmth of that soup not only fills our tummies but reminds us too what it is to be safe and warm inside on a cold night. 

 Do you have a favourite Winter soup that you make often for your family?

Meg