Pumpkins, hippos, new cameras and geriatric pets

Butternut pumpkin soup
The other day an old friend who I went to primary and high school with, but hadn't seen for quite some time, dropped by for a catch up and brought this! I was absolutely delighted! What a beautiful butternut pumpkin, fresh from her father's garden - it was almost a shame to cut it up. But I did, and turned it into a delicious roasted pumpkin soup. I roasted the pumpkin with onion and 2 cloves of garlic (not too much, because the garlic overpowers the delicate butternut flavour). Added a litre of stock, brought it to the boil and simmered for 15 mins. I blended it with a stab mixer until smooth and then ate it with toast. YUM!

Isn't this the most beautiful butternut?

Hippopotamus playmat
Gib and I have been a bit under the weather with a rotten cold, so the soup was delicious. Having a cold also means lots of inside activities, so it's forced my hand in making this hippopotamus playmat. She's due in <2 weeks (which means it'll come any time from now!), so I REALLY need to get my butt into gear. There are so many pieces! And they're either really big or really little pieces! I hope I get my fuzzy head around it. At least it's all cut out now.

My little furry friend
I was going to write a tutorial on how to make some winning rat toys, hammocks etc., but I don't think I can bring myself to do it now. I have a gertiatric pet rat, and I know pet rats aren't everyone's thing, but this one really is a dear. Even my mother, who was petrified of rats, completely went mushy over her when she met her! She's so affectionate and sits on my shoulder for cuddles and she has the sweetest little face. But she is getting on - >3 years old! - and finally her left hind leg has stopped working. She's usually an active, excitable rat, but ever since her hind leg stopped working altogether yesterday, she's gone downhill very quickly. So while I sew, she's snuggled on a little towel, and it means I can keep an eye on her progress. We'll see how she goes over the weekend, but like everyone, I hate having to make 'the decision' on old animals.

New camera today!!!

In more positive news, I pick up my new digital camera today! So no blue-tinged, poor resolution photos from my phone again.

Bulgarian red pepper soup

Sorry I don't have a photo, but Meet me at Mikes had a post about posting your favourite soup recipe! I guess this half way between a soup and stew... a soup with chunks. It's out of a book called 'Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant'. It's one of my all time favourites.

1/2 cup dried lentils
1/2 cup dried navy beans
2 large brown onions, diced
2 medium sized red capsicums, diced
400 g tin tomatoes or fresh tomatoes
3 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried marjoram
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
S&P to taste
3 cups vegetable stock
2 tbsp dry sherry
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup sour cream

Soak the beans and lentils, preferably overnight.
In a dutch oven, saute the onions until clear. Stir in capsicums and saute for about 5 mins. Add tomatoes, herbs, s&p and leave for a minute or two before adding the stock, wine and sherry. Add the beans and lentils. Bring to the boil and reduce the temperature, let simmer on low heat for the next 1.5 hours. Stir in tomato paste, leave for a bit longer. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh parsley if you have it on standby.