Merry Christmas everyone & please consider donating :)

If there is anyone out there who would like to do a kind thing for me this year, please consider making a donation to Caerphilly Bird Rescue. This was the year I finally became a vegetarian; I've never been comfortable putting one form of life above another - we are ALL AMAZING - from the most influential human to a tiny spider and absolutely no one is more deserving of kind treatment or consideration than anyone or anything else. 

Changing my diet has been a life improving experience; I genuinely have peace in my soul. Now I spend my time trying to help animals in other ways too, and the work they do at CBR is nothing short of heroic; rescuing injured birds and nursing them back to health. 

So if you are planning on donating this Christmas period, I urge you to give them a gift, however small. Their website has a donate button: http://www.caerphillybirdrescue.com

Here's wishing you all a fabulous festive season and new year. Peace and love xxx

Winter in a bowl - Spicy Parsnip Soup

Now that the weather has turned colder, it is time for me to enjoy the soup making part of the year! I asked my husband if he had any requests and he said he'd really like me to try a spicy parsnip soup. I trawled the usual websites and picked Gordon Ramsay's version for my first attempt. I'll tell you now, I will not be looking any further! This soup is to die for. As Gregg Wallace would say, "I could shove my whole face in it."

For those of you that would like to have a go at this divine soup, I found the recipe here, on 'Farmersgirl Kitchen' blog: 

Farmersgirl Kitchen - Gordon Ramsey's Spicy Parsnip Soup

Baking, Banana loaf ...and the fatty within.

I love baking, though until fairly recently I had been using a microwave oven combi thingamabob that left my cakes somewhat flat. After pulling out many a hair, I finally realised the problem might not actually be me, and treated myself to a new electric double oven (with gas hob because I can't be doing with cooking on electric rings.) Since then my cakes have risen and so has my confidence!

Whilst still in shite-oven mode, my nemesis was banana loaf cake; with every attempt, my dutiful husband chewing down the latest lump of godawful raw banana brick. Well, I would like to share with you a "TA-DA!" Moment!:

It is sensational. Crazy as it sounds, I feel amazing. The only thing I need to do battle with now is the fat person threatening to reveal herself if I continue with this success...

...every silver lining has it's cloud!

Next recipe to try? Lemon & Blueberry Madaleines! I've ordered the baking tin, I'll let you know how it goes!

New Doctor, New Handbag!

Soooo... less than a week to go until the new series of Doctor Who!! We're all rather excited in this house; it has been a long time coming and I can't wait to see the new doctor. I had my reservations when Peter Capaldi was announced, but then I felt the same about Matt Smith, and look how that turned out! Anyway, I've been rather busy lately and haven't had time to make an outfit, but I did have a rather nice idea for a handbag! So here it is, my latest creation:

I took it shopping with me straight after I finished it and got quite a few looks - though I do realise that this is more likely down to me being a complete geek, but I couldn't care less! WOOOOO-OOOO-OOOOOOOOO!!!! :) 

Kat xx

Bunnies!!

Driving around at night, I am often treated to some of the wonderful sights that nature has to offer, not often visible during the day. Tonight's show is being provided by the prettiest little bunny rabbits I have ever seen! Spring has most definitely sprung, friends :)

Bunnies here, bunnies there; 

Bunnies, bunnies, everywhere!

See them in so many places,

Fuzzy shapes with twitchy faces.

Hopping, jumping, chewing grass,

Eyes that glint as headlights pass;

Furries springing to and fro,

They are everywhere I go!

Bouncing to their destination,

On the central reservation;

Praying that each one I see,

Won't jump out in front of me...

I can see a few have died,

Didn't make the other side.

Oh, fluffy bunnies, do take care;

Lovely bunnies, everywhere xxx 

Broccoli, Cauliflower & Bean Soup (Recipe)

Its that time of year when all I want to do is eat hearty soups with crusty bread whilst waiting for the summer to show up. I've just made my latest creation and, as I sit here full as an egg, I'm being sensible and typing the recipe up as a blog post; firstly so that I can share it, and secondly, so that I don't lose it!

Ok, so this is what I just ate:

...and this is what you need in order to do the same :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 small onion - diced
2 garlic cloves - chopped
300g Cauliflower & broccoli florets (or you can just do one or the other, if you want)
1 Red chilli - chopped
1 Tin of Baked Beans (Supermarket own brand is fine)
900ml stock
50g broken spaghetti
2tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp of each: Oregano, Parsley, Thyme & Mixed herbs


Put the oil in the pan and fry the onions for a few minutes until they become translucent, then add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.


Add the chopped chilli and the herbs and fry for a further minute to release the flavours from the herbs.

Add the cauliflower/broccoli and the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins.

Put in the broken spaghetti and continue to simmer for 8 minutes before finally adding the tin of beans, sauce and all. It just needs around 5 more minutes for the beans to warm through and for the pasta to soften completely.

So that is it! And it tastes better the next day, as soups usually do. It's at this point that I normally stir in a fair sized dollop of my home-made chilli sauce (I do it at the eating stage so that I have the choice whether to have it super spicy or not) either that or I use the sauce that I buy from The Chilli Alchemist - his stuff is fantastic, you should really try it.

You can find his website here: http://www.chillialchemist.co.uk and he's on Facebook here: The Chilli Alchemist - Facebook

What a Hoot! Bobble Hat

I saw a lovely jumper on Ravelry that had been designed with a row of owls around the neckline. I could see that the owls had been created with a simple bit of cabling that was incredibly effective! I couldn't wait to use the same technique to create a bobble hat. I particularly like the buttons for eyes, which you could also substitute for those wiggly craft eyes, though I do prefer the buttons.

You will need:
4mm 16" Circular needle
4mm Cable needle
Dk yarn
22 small buttons for the owl eyes

Explanation of terms:
K- knit
P - purl
sts - stitches
K2tog - Knit 2 together
C4B - Slip 2 sts to a cable needle, hold to back. knit next 2 sts, then knit sts from cable needle.
C4F - Slip 2 sts to a cable needle, hold to front. knit next 2 sts, then knit sts from cable needle.

Cast on 112 and join in the round
Row 1-10) K2, P2 rib for 10 rows
Row 11) K1 row, decreasing by 2 sts - (110)
Row 12-27) follow owl chart x 11 times around

Row 28-30) *P2, K8* 3 for rows

Row 31-60) K 30 rows
Round 61) K3, K2tog to end - (88)
Round 62) K2, K2tog to end - (66)
Round 63) K1, K2tog to end - (44)
Round 64) K2tog around - (22)
Round 65) K2tog around - (11)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts and pull tight. Sew in ends and make a bobble for the top!
You can then either sew a button over the purled area for each owl's eyes, or you can cheat like me and use a glue gun... I was feeling a bit lazy!

And that's it - what a hoot!!

Enjoy :) Kat x