A Pillow Book

I wanted a blog to reflect my life and, as with most people, I do and am many things, decided to create a Pillow Book. It will have thoughts, ideas, observations and little snippets of my day to day life. So, thank you Empress Consort Teishi....... I bow to you and your great work and hope, in some small way, mine might be great too.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Welcome to the world......

 
I had a visitor to my house yesterday, a little bundle of beauty with the biggest eyes and a smile that could melt the heart of the hardest man... not many weeks on this earth but somehow I feel you have been here before.... Looking into the tiny smiling face, trying so hard to communicate with me, rosebud lips mimicking mine, the beginnings of speech bubbling out. Fists still curled, legs tucked up, wanting mum but once sated happy for cuddles, allowing me to inhale the heady newborn scent  and for you  to look around as if to say...ah yes I see....So welcome to the world little Lola, may your life be full of joy and love and may I stand nearby and watch now and then and remember the day you visited my house for the very first time....

A Newborn Girl at Passover

 
by Nan Cohen

Consider one apricot in a basket of them.
It is very much like all the other apricots--
an individual already, skin and seed.

Now think of this day.  One you will probably forget.
The next breath you take, a long drink of air.
Holiday or not, it doesn't matter.

A child is born and doesn't know what day it is.
The particular joy in my heart she cannot imagine.
The taste of apricots is in store for her





Tuesday 21 August 2012

Chicken Noodle Soup.....


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I walked with a friend this morning and watched many geese fly south across the sky, there is a scent of Autumn in the air and days for making soup will soon be here!

I have made Chicken Noodle Soup for as long as I can remember, Jewish Penicillin it is called, and without doubt in this house it is a cure all! The best soup is made from a raw chicken carcass, some meat still attached, then carrots, onions, celery, peppercorns and salt. I add Italian herbs and sometimes Marigold stock powder. Cover the lot with water and bring to the boil and simmer for a good long time. I then let it sit in the pan allowing the flavours to infuse. Pick the bones of all meat and strain the stock. This can now be used for risotto or soup. If using for soup chop up the carrots etc add to stock, with the chicken. Simmer and reduce, then taste, taste, taste and adjust seasoning until it is just how you like it. It should only taste of chicken, no wateriness allowed! In this house the pasta of choice is Stellette, tiny stars about half a centimetre across, I find it best to cook the pasta separately then add to the soup. I serve it with a good grating of Parmesan and a grinding of pepper, if liked. When my children are under the weather, or recovering from illness, homesick and in need of love it is Chicken Noodle Soup that they crave. If one is away and gets to hear of a pot that has been made then texts and calls are ensue telling me they wish they were home and making me promise to make some when they next are. Oh, and it is the best ever hangover cure! This is the first time I have ever written down the recipe it is one of many just stashed in my head, but anyone can try and if you make it with love it will, most certainly, be the most delicious soup ever tasted.
“And Tom brought him chicken soup until he wanted to kill him. The lore has not died out of the world, and you will still find people who believe that soup will cure any hurt or illness and is no bad thing to have for the funeral either.”
John Steinbeck, ‘East of Eden’