Recently, we’ve heard a lot of children’s laughter from the lane behind the garden. As Andy keeps the grass short (for the distance that his electric extension cable stretches at least) it’s a suitable playing area and with several children living nearby, they’ve taken advantage of it. I’m naturally curious so it should come as no surprise that when I went to the compost bin, my interest was captured by evidence of nearby “works”. The children had created a grotto with a “magic” tree, decorated with all sorts of bits and pieces including an abandoned cat collar. I loved it!
A recent newspaper article mentioned "The Family From One End Street"
(Eve Garnett) as a children's classic. A
childhood favourite of mine, the "Family Day Out" to the Heavy Horse Parade
in Regent's Park remains to this day, one of the most vivid accounts of a
chaotic family outing I've ever read. I
hot footed upstairs to root through our children's books, soon having the
distinctive salmon pink paperback in hand, ready to read on my imminent train
journey. And how I enjoyed it! Beautifully told, the adventures of the large,
loving Ruggles family have lost nothing over the years!
Reading the quotation "It's never too late to have a happy childhood" on my calendar set me thinking, which is always a dangerous occupation. My own childhood was overshadowed by caring responsibilities for my sick mother. It wasn't unhappy; it just lacked a spontaneity that made me determined to ensure my daughter's upbringing was carefree and contented. Thankfully, Andy and I were able to provide such an environment for Nerea and in doing so, I shared in many joyful, childlike experiences I'd missed during my own childhood. So I definitely believe it's worth embracing your inner child at any age
I love making soup as I’m reminded so much of my childhood;
Rushing into the warm, fragrant kitchen with its steamed up windows on a cold, wintery afternoon.
Hand knitted mittens, soggy from making snowballs
Red noses, dripping from the cold.
Holding our hands to the fire to warm them, squealing with pain as the circulation returned to our cold fingers
Thick, uneven slices of hot, buttery toast from an un-cut loaf bought that day from the bakery.
And then the soup; thick, tasty and served piping hot with whispers of steam rising from the surface. Pure, indulgent, childhood bliss
You can use any combination of vegetables but these are a good starter. This soup is really cheap and can be a way of using up limp or old vegetables. Adding the lentils makes the soup thicker.
6oz or 160g red or green lentils (if using green, soak overnight)
4 carrots – peeled and chopped
half a butternut squash - peeled and chopped
small sweet potato – peeled and chopped
2 onions – peeled and chopped
3 celery sticks – washed and chopped
1 leek – washed and chopped
about 2 table spoons of olive oil
salt, pepper, herbs or other seasoning to taste
1 vegetable stock cube
2 pints or 1 litre of water
Wash, peel and chop the veggies. They should be smaller than an oxo cube.
Fry the onion, celery and leek in the olive oil in a pan, stirring with a wooden spoon. The onion can burn so keep an eye on it. You will only need to do this for about 3 or 4 minutes.
Add the chopped carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato and lentils.
Then, add in the water and the stock cube.
Stir, put the lid on and cook for about 45 minutes. Don’t leave the heat on high once it is boiling; the liquid should just gently bubble.
Taste the soup and add the seasonings. If the veggies are still a bit hard, cook for longer. Then using a blender or a sieve or just a potato masher, pulp some of the veggies to thicken up
