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Wednesday 2 October 2013

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey ...

Well, that's September done and dusted for another year! It's funny,  the melancholia has just lifted ... it's like this every year ... all the changes have happened, not without a bit of drama, admittedly, but all sorted now, as far as we are able, and everyone's getting on with their new routines.


For the first time in it seems like ages, me and Steve got up early on Sunday morning, with the intention of calling in at a car boot sale at Ulverston, on the way to Windermere, where we were heading to pick up some much-needed Annie Sloan paint.  Just as I was approaching Ulverston, I saw a sign advertising my favourite car boot sale, which I hadn't realised was on.  I bought the lovely little English Bull Terrier dog there ... to think I almost missed him!


When we got back I set to with my tins of paint and started upcycling.  I forgot to photograph the mirror above and the table/side cupboard below before their makeover ... just believe me, they were in a very dire state!




This is a lovely sewing chest which I upcycled a while ago ... the outside was absolutely appalling, filthy, cracked vinyl ... when you opened it, it was lined with the most beautiful, vintage fabric!


I have a fair few Vintage events coming up, so the paintbrush is always out! My evenings are spent making crochet brooches and embroidered pictures, as my stall needs stocking up for the big 'C' (spoken in a whisper) events ...



Just a quick post today, my lovelies, I promise to be back soon, but my lunch is calling ... Butternut Squash and Peanut soup ... recipe below if you'd like it ... just the ticket for days when there's a chill in the air ...




Butternut Squash & Peanut Soup

2 large Onions
1 large Butternut Squash
Carrots
Peppers
2 tins chopped tomatoes
(any other red, yellow, orange veg you want to add!)
Finely chopped chillis, ginger and garlic
2 chicken or veg stock cubes
Smooth Peanut Butter

Sweat the onions in olive oil until cooked, add the chillis, ginger and garlic and continue to cook for a few minutes ... then add all the rest of the ingredients (chopped or diced) and bring to the boil.  Simmer for up to 40 minutes, then cool.  Blend until smooth and add a dollop of peanut butter, and heat through to melt.  Serve with a swirl of cream and lots of crusty bread and butter.

I've been quite loose with the quantities, but this does make a lot ... I decant it into takeaway boxes and freeze it so I have it handy in the right portion size.  I haven't met anyone who doesn't like this ... you can just leave the peanut butter out if someone has a peanut allergy, and it could be added separately to individual bowls and stirred in. It's actually very versatile, curry powder can be added, it can be topped with croutons or grated cheese ... the possibilities are endless!

Bon Appettit!

Oh yes, before I forget, me and Millie are a bit excited ... have booked tickets on a coach to Harrogate for the Country Living Fair at the end of November ... oooh, we're madly saving up for afternoon tea at Betty's!!

Have a lovely week, won't you?

Love, Claire xxx

37 comments:

  1. I'm glad you are feeling better. Sometimes we have downers and they pass, thankfully. It seems you have been busy with your paintbrush. Lovely makeovers.
    The soup recipe sounds delicious. I'll have to put that one away in my recipe file for next winter.
    Anne xx

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    1. Hello Anne, welcome to Thriftwood! Thank you for dropping in and for your lovely comments

      Love Claire xx

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  2. Hey mrs! Lovely up-cycling there! I haven't done very well at boot sales this year. Am very jealous of the coach trip to Harrogate to Country Living - I've always wanted to go. I'll be round for soup shortly! ;) Enjoy!

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    1. Hello Kim, ooh you must try and go to the CL Fair, it's great! I love the Harrogate one, because it's such a lovely little town with lots of other things going on and also Rachelle (Ted and Agnes blog) co-author of Granny Chic has a stall there so I can go and be embarrassingly star struck and tongue tied!

      Love Claire xx

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  3. Sounds like you had a good day out. Love the sewing box. Jacqui x

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    1. Thank you Jackie! Lovely to see you ...

      Love Claire xx

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  4. Definitely turning to nice hot soup eating weather. Loving the new dog, haven't had a chance to go car booting in ages, must make an effort :) xx

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    1. Hello Cheryl, ooh love a good car boot!

      Love Claire xx

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  5. i'm singing california dreaming on a winter's day now and it's all your fault!!! the soup looks lovely - haven't got back into soups yet but it is time i think to make some - glad you found your little dog - isn't it funny how we do these things - almost like their is someone pulling our strings? also glad you are feeling much better - hope your son is enjoying life at uni and that you have got your car sorted xx

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    1. Hello Lynne, sorry about that! Still, it could be worse, I could have put the lyrics of Agadoo up there! Sorreeee ...

      Love Claire xxx

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  6. New routines take time to settle... I love the little crocheted roses and intrigued by the embroidered pictures... I'm also preparing for the big 'C'...shhhh. xx

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    1. Hello Ethel, looking forward to seeing your 'C' preparations!

      Love Claire xx

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  7. Oooh I've just heard about that recipe on River Cottage - it sounds fab! Looks like you are being a busy bee - those brooches are so sweet x Jane (and yes you've got me singing it now as well!)

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    1. Hello Jane, I've just googled the River Cottage recipe ... can't believe it's almost the same as mine! I had butternut squash and peanut soup in a local cafe about 5 years ago, and liked it so much I went home and tried to recreate it ... above is the result! xxx

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  8. Love the little heart in your soup - soup always warms the heart doesn't it! Glad that you are getting back to being yourself again, funny how life goes like that sometimes. Hope that your upcoming events go well, have fun with your crochet and upcycling! Amy xx p.s. I think I said the C word the other day - scary huh!!

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    1. Hello Amy, thank you! I wasn't ill or anything like that, just a strange feeling that descends at beginning of August, and leaves as quickly as it came ...

      Have a lovely day!

      Love Claire xxx

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  9. You were obviously meant to go to that boot sale and find your little dog ornament Claire, who by the way is so cute!
    I am thinking of trying to source some Annie Sloan paint around by us, I have lots of things I would like to paint but am put off by all the prepping/undercoating and final coats!! Very lazy of me I know but why should we make work for ourselves!! Enjoy the rest of your week Claire X

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    1. Hello Anne, I'm sure there will be somewhere, but I order it online sometimes. There is a company called Boathouse Originals ... when I ordered it was free delivery, but now I think it's £7.95 for next day, so you'd need to order a few tins (you'll need them as very soon it becomes an addiction!) or share postage with a friend!

      Love Claire xxx

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  10. Ah, love the Mamas & the Papas - and now I've got that song going around in my head! Good song though :-)
    Great Annie Sloaning as always - love the little cabinet especially. And that soup looks and sounds oh-so-yum. Definitely going to give it a try, thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Enjoy the rest of the week,
    xx

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    1. Hello Gilly, the soup is delicious ... I've had it every day for lunch this week, I never tire of it!

      Seems I've got everyone singing along today ...

      Love Claire xxx

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  11. Love the little dog, so glad you didn't miss him! The painted mirror and table look lovely and so do the pretty crochet brooches. Thank you for sharing that delicious soup recipe, it definitely looks like one to go on my soup list! Wishing you a happy October.
    Helen x

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    1. Hello Helen, thank you, you're very kind! Hoping you have a fabulous October too

      Love Claire xxx

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  12. Your soup looks so comforting and your up -cycling looks fab as usual. How look to find that car boot sale and pick up the bull terrier. Glad you are starting to get used to the changes in your home life.
    Sarah x

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    1. Hello Sarah, lovely of you to drop in! You're always welcome here

      Love Claire xx

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  13. We do like an up cycle don't we!!! I'm getting itching to do one too, I've loads that need doing, fancy popping over with a paintbrush?! :) x

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    1. Hello Ada ... ooh, I'd love to! That would be so much fun ...

      Love Claire xxx

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  14. ~ You sound tickety boo! Mrs Thriftwood 'melancholy' lifted now September has been and gone..hehe! LOVE the recipe, it's delish! thank you for sharing....yum yum! I am a singing the Mama's and the Papas now...California dreaming I am... Hugs and Autumn kisses Maria x

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    1. Hi Maria, hope you're ok too! I know you'll be in your element now October's here ... pumpkin's and black cats will be abounding ...

      Love Claire xxx

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  15. Yes I'm coming out of my September sadness too......loving cosy days stitching at home - even walking the dog in pouring rain yesterday was lovely! Love your dog- thank goodness you rescued him x

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  16. September is a funny month isn't it? I love the sewing cabinet it looks beautiful. And that soup looks and sounds just the job for this month's lunches.

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  17. Love the little dog,have not got anything from a second hand shop in ages, and I go in most days.....not much about. I am hopping to go to Harrogate too.

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  18. Hello Claire
    I am just catching up, I love what you have done with your pots of paint,,the sewing chest is stunning, and those little crochet brooches so pretty, sounds like you have some exciting times coming up,,,Oooo Betty's lovely
    Happy Weekend
    Thea x

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  19. The soup looks delish!! I just love your makeovers as well. My Hubbie is very keen about car boots (in fact he's at one now) and comes home with all sorts of things very cheaply. He's really bitten by the bug! Hope your work for your stall goes on well. Look forward to seeing what else you make. Joan

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  20. Definitely going to try the soup!
    Julie xxxxx

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  21. Definitely going to try the soup recipe Claire, sounds lovely xxx

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  22. It never occurred to me to put peanut butter in a squash soup but it sounds amazing, I'll have to try that. Thanks for the recipe! x

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx