Manu for me

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Manu is finished! To explain, just as I was halfway through the first pocket, I ran out of yarn for this project. I was loathe to spend money we don't have on another full ball and postage, so I put out an appeal on good old Ravelry for anyone who might have some spare. Almost immediately I got a message from Jen (this is her website) who offered to help me out and didn't even want postage! Not only that, she sent me a whole extra ball- what a star. I completed the cardigan with a selection of vintage buttons, as much as I love the sophistication of the charcoal grey, I felt it needed a little bit of colour to stop it being too dour. If I decide I'd rather have matching ones, I can always change them later I suppose. It's really snuggly and I love the way it hangs, although photographs of my postnatal, nursing body don't exactly fill me with joy. Still, by the time the weather is right for it I'm hoping a combination of chocolate abstinence, walking and an exercise DVD I'm trying to fit in at naptimes will create a more flattering picture.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by SouleMama

Cook for the weather you wish you had

"Vile" is the best word I can think of to describe the weather we had this morning. Fine, driving and cold rain blew against the windows until lunchtime, thwarting plans I had to explore the new neighbourhood on foot. Even with waterproofs it would have been miserable. However, the sun put in an appearance by the afternoon and happily I had planned for and bought in food that reflected the weather I'd hoped for, rather than what was forecast! A recipe from Nadine Abensur's 'Cranks Fast Food' which mixes griddled courguettes with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and mint has reinvented that vegetable as far as I'm concerned, putting it on the list for growing next year. Deliciously squeaky halloumi cheese, sprinkled picturesquely with smoked paprika and olive oil, also gets the griddle treatment (and thank goodness the new kitchen has an efficient extractor fan!). Finished off with bulghar wheat, toasted to a biscuity brown in the oven, then soaked in boiling water and a veg stock cube it's food that tastes of sunshine, even if the heavens don't provide it.