What colour is love?

For the past two weeks I have been re-organising & tidying my place.

It is behaviour most unusual for me.

I am known for my almost anaphylactic allergy to housework & all matters with regard to cleaning.

But sometimes.....just sometimes it all gets a wee bit much.

Yes we are a large family of seven but we live in a relatively small 3 bedroom bungalow.

And both Hubby & I are known for our fabulous hoarding skills.

Whenever we see something that we would really like but don't need or have the space for, there is a often a lilt of the head and a comment to the other that goes something like this..."It would be great for the beachhouse"

Only thing is......we don't have a beachhouse.

Would love to.

But don't.

We have a very very full shed instead.

Filled with all the stuff that would be great at the beachhouse.

During my tidying and re-arranging I came across some of my favourite childhood books in amongst my kids ones.

You'll see Pippi Longstocking there.....as a child I believed I was her.  I loved her rebelliousness, her courage, her independence & her self-belief. My mum even used to plait my hair with pipe cleaners so they would curl up like hers.  Aged 5,  I used to go to school like that; with my curly plaits & red patent clogs.... oblivious to the stares ( I went to a very conservative little Catholic primary school and my clogs were definitely not on the school uniform list).

My clog obsession had begun all those years ago.....

In amongst the others was this one:

published by Collins Clear type press 1967

It made me cry at the simple beauty and the power of memories.

It's smell transported me to my childhood.

The pages discloured and tactile.

The message within the deceptively simple layout was strong & complex.

It filled my soul.

Let me share with you some of the pages.... (click on the images to enlarge)

 

It left me wanting to answer its question..........

GOURMET GIRLFRIEND'S STUFFED PARATHA RECIPE:

This makes a beautiful super tasty lunch or afternoon snack that my boys LOVE. They even took the leftovers for lunch at school the following day. And I LOVE being able to turn leftovers into something else delicious!

YOU WILL NEED: 

• 3 cups plain (preferable good organic) flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 4 tblspns melted butter
•  some leftover curry (I used my easy potato curry that I squish a little- click here to go to recipe- but you can use anything you like.) 

METHOD:
 Mix the flour, milk & butter together to form a dough and knead gently. 

It will be soft and light feeling.

Leave to rest for 20 minutes or so.

Cut into small fist sized balls.  

As you sandwich two pieces together it is ideal to roll an even number of balls.

Using a rolling pin roll the balls flat and to a roughly even size- you may need to use some extra flour.
 
Spoon on leftover curry of choice leaving an edge so you can join the second piece of dough.

Now place second piece on top and press edges to seal.
In a good non-stick frypan place some canola oil on a medium heat and pan fry for 2-3 minutes till brown.

Flip and do same to other side.

Serve immediately.


It is delicious with a minty yoghurt & a chunky salad of tomatoes, cucumber & loads of fresh coriander.


The remarkable Antony sings for us today: