Heatwave

 Good Morning lovelies,

I've not been posting as I've been suffering a little from heatstroke, brought about by being outside all afternoon Wednesday for Sport's Day. The heat is wiping me out. Also, I get awful prickly heat - much worse since my days of yellow.

Don't get me wrong, I adore being outside, I adore warm sunny days but when you've to go to work in blast furnace ovens, I mean classrooms full of 30 hot little bodies, it's torture. I wish it was the Summer Holidays already.  I long to just loll for a bit! Whine over. How terribly English of me, whingeing when it's hot. I never whinge about the cold though. Only if it's slippy!!

A few of you have asked for some soup recipes. 

Each one serves 1
Main gist of recipe 

Each one starts off by sautéing half an onion and a clove of garlic in a teaspoon of low fat olive spread or a few sprays of olive oil fry light. Leave all skins on, just scrub. 

Most of them have a small unpeeled diced potato in it

Then you add whichever veg it is. 

It's simmered in 250mls low sodium stock. Herbs and pepper to taste. 

Then cool slightly before blending. 

The chicken ones are made in exactly the same way except you then just add the 

shredded 2oz of cooked chicken breast into the middle of the dish. So it's very probably the exact same way you make your own soup! They were really tasty recipes! 

I don't want to get done for copy right, so here are some suggestions!! 
Veggie soup 
Carrot 1/2
Turnip 1/2
No garlic in this one
Then as above with potato  216 cals per portion

Spinach and Bean soup
1/2 garlic clove
1/2 red onion
2 big fistfuls of baby spinach
3oz tinned cannellini beans
No potato in this one 240Cals

Chicken and Bean/squash
1 celery stick
4oz fresh broad beans/1/4 butternut squash
As above and then add 2oz shredded cooked chicken breast before serving (no potato) 260 Cals/210 cals

Hope these are ok.

LOOK WHAT ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE YESTERDAY

It is absolutely exquisite. I was so touched that The very lovely and talented Pam , who, for no other reason except that's she is generous, gorgeous and giving, sent me this quilt. The swirly wirly  stitching on the back is mesmerisingly endless.  It's so cheery, colourful and charming. I love the red material the quilt is edged with. A sweet little card came with it, instructing me to enjoy!

I promise that I will! In fact, I've gone a little chilly ( still not 100% ) so it's warming my toes as I type!

THANK YOU PAM XXXX 

Finally, before I go check the jacket spuds are done for tea, I bought some new biscuit cutters today.

Aren't they gorgeous?! Can't wait to make some party rings! I also bought a few new purpley blue perennials , but the minute we got back from the garden centre, the heavens opened. Hence no pics. So at least they got a good soaking! The seeds I sowed last week, against all odds, have germinated. Not all, the shallots and the chillis are a bit shy but the radish and Cavelo Nero is romping away! Must put anti snail/slug measures in place!

So what was the loveliest thing to happen to you this weekend?

Lots of love from

Rachel *Quilt Happy* Radiostar xx