Butternut squash soup

Hello friends, it's been a while hasn't it? How have you been? I've been easing myself into Autumn, getting ready to snuggle up and make my home super cosy. I love this time of year and have been struck by an overwhelming back to school urge, to get my house in order. A major organising and de- cluttering frenzy has taken place. I've also just celebrated my birthday, so it's a good time to re-evaluate and take stock.

Now then, I would love to share my butternut squash soup recipe with you. It's just the ticket to get you in the Autumn mood, super cosy comfort food with a little kick.

You will need a good knob of butter to gently fry an onion with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon mixed in. Then throw in 2 cloves of crushed garlic, and a sliced leek. Then add a handful of chopped chestnut mushrooms, your cubed butternut squash, and two sliced carrots. Pour over some good chicken stock, and add water if needed to cover.

Leave it merrily to bubble away, and when the vegetables have softened add a sliced red chili pepper. Now I would put two in to give it a real kick, but if my little ones are having the soup then one pepper is all they can take.

I let it bubble a little bit longer, then I give it a good blitz with my blender, so to turns into orangey, creamy, deliciousness.

Now of course I've kept all my vegetable peelings to give to the pigs.

As soon as they hear me coming they charge.

The noises they make when they know food is on the way are so funny, it's like a load shriek.

They are getting so big now compared to when they first arrived back in June.

And they love butternut squash. That reminds me I'd better get back to my soup.

Give it a little swirl of cream to serve and lots and lots of salt and pepper.

Delicious! If that doesn't get you in the mood for Autumn, then I don't know what will.

As well as in the kitchen, I've also been adding a few seasonal touches to the rest of the home.

A sneaky peak of a few hand made, little bits and bobs.

I hope you have a cosy weekend x.