Eye Spy..... a magic elixir

Such a fabulous theme today! I could show you my medicine box full of magic tricks, but I much prefer to eat my troubles away (where possible)....


If I'm feeling under the weather (especially around cold and flu season), then there's nothing better than my magic chicken and vegie soup. The only problem is that it needs to be pre-made and in the freezer already, because if I'm sick, then I'm definitely not going to have the energy to actually make it!

Which is why there is a back up plan....

If all else fails, then instant chicken noodle soup and a packet of plain potato chips usually does the trick. These are two staples which must be in the pantry at all times.

For general wellbeing and happiness, I recommend keeping a stash of magic chocolate elixirs in the cupboard. You can never be too sure about when you might have an emergency chocolate craving.

To wash down all of the sugar and fat and salt, I always keep a good supply of coffee, tea, and most importantly.... raspberry cordial!

I'm sure there's a very good reason why most people try to keep their kiddies away from red food colouring. It works wonders for me, peps me up every time. Who needs alcohol when you have raspberry cordial on hand?

Thankyou Amy for this weeks funny theme. Head on over and say hi to Cindy to play along.

PS - Check out the magical Mars Bar Cheesecake over at Selina's Vintage and enter her giveaway.

This is...........Soup...........New Floors

This weeks theme suggested by the lovely Pip is........This is my inspiration board.

I don't actually have an inspiration board. I am inspired by way too many things (books, magazines, tv shows, other blogs, nature, landscapes, art, people, etc) and there are always ideas floating around in my head. So I decided to wander around the garden thismorning and take some photos to make a inspiring garden mosaic.

To see who else is playing along, head on over to Angela's blog!


Pip is also having a soup recipe challenge so here is my entry. I made this soup for dinner lastnight and there's plenty left to put some single portions in the freezer for lunches.

Roast Chicken and Whatever Vegies are in the Fridge Soup

1. Peel and prepare any vegies that you have. As a minimum, I usually use potato, pumpkin, onion, garlic, carrot, and celery (because I usually always have these in the fridge).

2. Choose any extra vegies that you have. I had a corn cob in the fridge lastnight so I added it.

3. Put all the vegies through the food processor using the grating attachment.

4. Put the grated vegies in a large stock pot (I actually use my electric wok).

5. Add chicken stock (I usually use 2 litres).

6. Simmer for a couple of hours.

7. Take all the meat from a roasted chicken (I buy one at my local Charcoal chicken shop for extra flavour). Chop up and add to the soup.

8. At this stage, you can also add Basmati Rice (for a more substantial meal).

9. Simmer for another 20-30 minutes (or until the rice is cooked).

Whoops....I forgot to add this step.....add salt and pepper (as little or as much as you like)!

10. Serve with toast or some nice crusty bread and butter.


And last but not least:

My kitchen floors are finally finished (which is why I was able to cook soup lastnight).

We still have no furniture in there until Monday but at least we don't have to eat takeaway food any more....yippee!

The before shot (bare boards where the old kitchen units used to be and where we took out a wall.

The after shot.......nice shiny floor!

Have a great Sunday.