Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mid~week greetings....Hearts and Hands.

Have you ever observed cats at play?
Ours love it when we have a cardboard box in the house.
It's exponentially better when it's open on the floor!


Chester is inside the box and Pepper is about to jump on top of him.
They have been in and out of this box all day.
The box will stay out for awhile to allow them to enjoy themselves.


We purchased a small carpet cleaner...
it's good for pet stains and we plan to use it on our boat carpet.
It's a small machine but it seems to do a good job.


It removed a few spots on the rugs in no time flat.
I am not easily impressed ~ but this tool is a great one.
Never having owned a carpet cleaner before now I can appreciate why people buy them.


Henry's little hands are so adorable.
Soft ~ kissable.
What a sweet boy he is...


Isla gave me some glitter hearts...she loves to share.
Little girls love sparkles...
(big girls too!)

My hands are over 60 years old and have seen a lot of use.
(they need constant attention)

Hand lotion is essential.
Shea Butter seems to do a great job and is not greasy.
I am a fan of L'Occitane hand lotions.
I've heard that coconut oil is wonderful.
Have you tried it?

Hands are always busy doing things...
I do not think they are ever idle.
Except when we sleep...

They might rest a bit when they hold a cup of tea.
 Gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, making beds, ironing, knitting, turning pages in books and magazines, hugging grand children, colouring, stacking blocks, painting.


Ah yes painting...
I continue to be in a dry spell.

I read Louise Penny's novel The Long Way Home and loved it!
I read it in two sittings.
The story focuses on a painter and Louise has many wise and insightful observations about what artists need to paint.
A Muse is important...
(mine are roses)
They also must feel intense emotion...one that spurs them on to create.
She refers to it as "a lump in the throat."
This lumps precedes most creative endeavours...
If you love a mystery and have not read Louise Penny's books you are in for a treat!
Start with her first and work your way up to her latest...
The Nature of the Beast 
which was released a couple of weeks ago.


I woke up the other morning to a cool and grey day.
It felt like rain.

 My apron beckoned...
Made some retro cheese scones.
 With cooler Fall weather in the offing I am looking forward to getting back into making soups.
I think these scones would pair really well with a hearty tomato soup.

Retro Cheese Scones

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. butter
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2/3 c. milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1Tbsp. sugar

Combine all the dry ingredients.
Cut in the butter.
Add wet ingredients and stir until all flour is moistened.
Knead on floured board.
Pat into a 9 inch circle, cut into wedges.
Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes.
(Check after 12 minutes to make sure they do not brown up too much)


Yummy Soups.
They're like a warm hug.
A soup pot simmering on the stove makes me feel all cozy and warm.
They are a great offering for friends and family.
Nutritious and delicious...there's a tasty recipe out there for everyone.

Do you have a favourite soup recipe?

I made a killer pasta dish last night and will share it with you soon.
Stay tuned...


25 comments:

Stephen Andrew said...

The scones sound and look so good! The cats are adorable with their box. I'm imagining quite a fight when you take it to the recycling! I could use a carpet cleaner. I have some rugs that are starting to look janky. I'm not much of a soup person. Here and there, but not many in my repertoire. And the ones that are have *a lot* of cream :)

Stephen Andrew said...

PS-I'll bet just a touch of thyme would be so good in those scones!

Anonymous said...

Hello Leslie: Here in the East, it's not quite soup weather. "Feels like" 34C. tomorrow. How we long for a traditional autumn. Although... there is a wonderful recipe for a cold soup made with tomatoes and watermelon...sounds awful, I know, but it's lovely.
Re: Coconut Oil. After my daughter found it the BEST thing for her son's allergic diaper rash, I decided to try it on my hands. I've had a dry, red area on each of my hard-working hands which carried over from our extreme winter. I've tried so many lotions and potions without success. The coconut oil cleared it up in a few days! So now I've been trying it on my 64-year old face, and so far it's great. Used sparingly it goes right into the skin. I say give it a go!
LmC in Oak Bay

Kate said...

Playing cats are the best! Love! You have kept your busy hands beautifully (cute helper!). Scones look divine-- yum! And your pretty roses and shiny woodwork and wonderful wall paper are a treat to see, It's soup weather here and now I'm inspired to be in the kitchen!

Pam said...

The scones look wonderful; waiting for your pasta receipe now; have heard a lot about coconut oil but have not tried it as yet but possibly today will be the day!!..could you tell me what Louise Penny's first mystery was as I would like to start to read the series..love your cats too!

jfl said...

Your recipes are always delicious! In your "little stew" recipe from the other day, do you add raw ground beef to the pot, or do you need to brown it first? I will be making this for dinner on Friday. Next week I will try making the scones. I really love your blog and your writing. Judy

Susan B said...

Your scones look yummy! Once the weather cools down here, I hope to make some of my favorite lentil soup. It's a favorite, and lovely with a little shredded swiss cheese melted on top.

Jeannine said...

Love Louise Penny books. Great stories, intelligent characters, lines that make "food for thought". The scones look delicious. I will definitely be saving this recipe to try. I am happy we are coming into "soup" weather and these scones do sound great as a side. Aren't cats at play such fun? Thanks or all your sharing.

Donna said...

Frolicking kitties warm my heart! An open box or paper bag will keep them busy for hours. Louise Penny has to be one of the very best writers. I watched a movie based on one of her book and it was okay but the book was far better. Looking forward to reading her latest. Hubs and I are both gluten sensitive so I will try your recipe with einkorn flour. So far we have had no problems with it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Stephen there are so many great soup recipes....if you lived closer I would make you some and deliver them to you:-))

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hi LMC...how far east are you?
Are you in Oak Bay? on the border perhaps?
My sister swears by coconut oil....
will try it soon.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I'll be chopping veggies....we turned on the in floor heating in the basement.....BRRRRR

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

According to Louise Penny's website...Still Life...I hope that you LOVE them as much as I do.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hi Judy,
I brown the beef as I add it...and cook it until it is done. I do not like pink beef...
welcome to the blog.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Yum....lentil soup....perhaps you will share that recipe?
I tried on a dove grey Eileen Fisher sweater today...half price at $150 but it was too small :-(( wished it was a match. Love her garments.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The cats are FRISKY!
They are so much fun and they both sleep at my feet at the bottom of our duvet.
I am with you on the soup cooking

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hi Donna,
Hope that you enjoy the recipe...let me know if you like it. My goodness but our cats are so precocious!

jfl said...

Hi Leslie,
Thanks for the directions. I'm looking forward to making it tomorrow. Your blog is my favorite, as you have such a calm and positive outlook. I, too, am a retired teacher, and I wish we could sit down and have a cup of tea together, as we have many interests in common. Judy

La Vie Quotidienne said...

The scones look wonderful! I have never, ever made them but I just might try your recipe, it sounds easy and with the addition of cheese...wow!

I love Lousie Penny's books and am currently reading her last one, The Nature of the Beast. I hear there is another soon to be released.

I do the same thing you do...leave one open for a while for Miss Twiggley to play in, it's so cute the way they pop in and out.

Linda Pakravan said...

Our days are still summery. Nights are cool. Your sconces look soo good!

Jill said...

Those scones look so so good. I'm not a baker but perhaps I'll try making them. Love this blog. I really think it represents what a blog should be -interesting everyday events, sights and sounds. Life's moments captured and passed on for our enjoyment. Your writing is lovely. I was able to read your posts all summer but couldn't comment as we were at our cottage in Quebec with very limited internet access. I enjoyed every post and read each one several times.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Jill!
How wonderful that you have a cottage in Quebec...my cousin has one at Lake Tremblant.
I think that's how it is spelled. When we visited the Laurentians in the Fall the trees were magnificent!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Jill!
How wonderful that you have a cottage in Quebec...my cousin has one at Lake Tremblant.
I think that's how it is spelled. When we visited the Laurentians in the Fall the trees were magnificent!

Susan said...

I've copied down your scone recipe and look forward to making it. My favorite soup recipe is for chicken tortilla soup.

Connie said...

Living in the Northwest, my skin dries out terribly. Coconut oil works wonders. I like to apply it before bedtime to give it time to do it's magic. Socks after applying the oil or gloves on the hands at night are a quick way to boost your way to softer skin.