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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Disenchanted

The past little while I have been feeling a bit disenchanted with life in general. I'm not sure where this sentiment is coming from because I am well aware that I have ever so much to be grateful for in my life. But moods are moods and are difficult to control completely. Perhaps it is being a little winter weary, perhaps it is hormonal , perhaps I am just bored or maybe it is just a passing thing that will leave as easily as it came. Here's hoping. While waiting for it to pass, I am just carrying on even if I am not keeping calm.

  Cooking for my family. I maintain that soup is the most unphotogenic of foods. Here is my version of Nigel Slater's Thai-inspired noodle soup. My version because I used chicken instead of prawns because I am the only one here who eats food from the sea. Next time I will spice it up a little more, we are chilli lovers afterall. I have only just discovered Nigel Slater and his wonderfully wholesome simple cookery but this week I have made two of his recipes. The soup and a lentil stew which was also delicious.

 Although winter is still very much here and now, there is some lush growth on the nettles so they will be heading for the soup pot and pasta dough tomorrow. Perhaps even some to steep for spraying in the garden and to add to the compost heap too. Gotta love a plant that can feed you and work some magic in the garden  and compost too. Even if it is quite unlovable.

More cooking. The lemons looked great on the tree but they are no use there and they even looked quite good on the plate but they aren't much use there either. So now a couple of them are in a lemon slice and the rest have been juiced and frozen for later use. There are still a heap more on the tree so I guess it might be time to make lemonade.

Thanks for visiting
Tracy

8 comments:

Joolz said...

I think there is something about winter that does get you down a bit - lack of sunshine perhaps? And a child moving away from home will also have an effect on you - he's on your mind, I know!

My elderly mum (82) is on my mind a lot - she is becoming much more dependant on us and her memory has deteriorated a lot in the past 6 months. She is generally well but is changing from an adult back to a needy child and this is hard for her baby daughter to accept.

Although my girls have flown the nest, I seem to be busy with Mum (her 'wellness' appointments are numerous and the schedule very tiring) and other things (work, weight watchers group). Oh, dear!

Love Nigel Slater! I bought his DVD on Fishpond and have been enjoying the episodes and some of the recipes. Very drool worthy!

I think everyone gets in a bit of a funk now and then, I know I do but as you say - we do have an awful lot to be grateful for!

Chin up and make some lemonade from those beautiful lemons!

Cheers- Joolz

Anonymous said...

I second Joolz. I hate summer (we live in the northern NSW where humidity is *@#*), but because of such a cold winter I am feeling the same. I don't know how people that have more severe winters than ours, with next to no sunlight cope. Here I am whinging when the lowest we got was -1 overnight.

When I get like this I tend to have a potter in the garden and vegie patch or do a bit of sewing, knitting or crochet. Having some me time is very important. We get tied up doing things for family and forget about us.


If it helps keep blogging about it because we are sure to listen!!!!

I love your blog, it inspires me to get out and try and get the life we dreamed of when we moved here.

Take care

Louise

Carolyn ♥ said...

I try to remember that when it is Winter here, it's Summer somewhere else in the world. I see you are new to Blotanical... the perfect place to visit Summer blooms in Winter. It will brighten your smile as you are reminded that somewhere the sun is shining and it's just a matter of time before Spring/Summer comes again to your gardens.
(the soup looks delish... recipe?)

Lisa said...

Tracy, I had a feeling something was up with you - I hope you'll be more yourself soon.

duchess_declutter said...

I think it is just the in-between time of the year, and maybe the in-between time of everything. I'm feeling a bit like that too at the moment - not really sure what is happening next. BTW I've have been a big Nigel fan for ages, love his show too. cheers Wendy

africanaussie said...

sorry you are feeling a bit down, but it looks as though you are doing all the right things. I cant help thinking of hte saying - when life gives you leomns make lemondade!

Paola said...

Hello Tracy - sorry to read that the world seems flat at the moment. I have experienced this too from time to time, and it always helps to remind myself that "this too shall pass". It always does. Hope things brighten up soon.

sensible Gardening said...

Coming from the other side of the planet we are going through summer right now and enjoying the sun. Lemon!!! I would love to have a lemon tree, we have apples, pears, grapes and soft fruits but no lemons.