It’s weeks like this that free your mind and eyes to notice the little things around you.  Like how this padlock on a council fence just has to be start of our own local love locked bridge.

When else in life but when things are safe and predictable would finally finishing off that large jar of jam in the fridge be cause for celebration?  The empty jar is one more for me upcycle with new things in the kitchen.  I’ve found screw top glass jars one of the safest ways of keeping my pantry supplies safe from the moths that have invaded it.  The bay leaves are helping but I can’t seem to get rid of the last few.  I’m hoping the cooler months ahead will solve the problem for me.

I’m savouring what’s been a relatively low energy day with my little preschooler.  We’d just been to swimming when this photos was taken.  This photo represents the calmest trip to the supermarket we’ve had in weeks.

A thoroughly British soup recipe – Marmite and Worcestershire sauce.

We’re at the start of the warmest autumn I can remember but that didn’t stop me from making a batch of Jamie Oliver’s Brown Windsor Soup this morning.

Jamie was on the money when he advised continuing to brown the stewing beef until all the juices had evaporated from the pot.

I’ve just taste tested it and it’s just the beef and vegetable soup I was hoping for.  It’s got a rich flavour with just enough yeasty saltiness from the Marmite.  It’s also a bit different for me because I tend to use tomatoes and potatoes in some shape or form in every soup I make.  And the slow cooker.  This was a completely stove top cooked recipe and it was nice to take a break from the usual suspects in my home made soups.

How’s your week been?  Anything as exciting as adding a new glass jar to your pantry?

Talk again soon.