Autumn comes but once a year

Autumn comes but once a year...

Then the fair wind starts to blow,

A mistral upon my eyes starts to swirl

A path leads to certainty 

Of adventures more

A carpet of leaves pathes my way 

Singing a symphony in my heart

Upon my way

Learning as I go

What am I doing ?

I'm doing an Early years Foundation degree.

I've gone back into education.

I wasn't confident at first but now I am.

Of course there will be the odd time I'll go barmy...

Like the time I discovered I should have read quite a few chapters of another book.

Confidance is growing.

Like the reception children finding their feet.

Hearing the same 'Why did the chicken cross the road joke "....

Wondering when did children's play get SO complicated ?

Debunking myths , finding the truths in the endless byocracy ...

There is much talk about child led learning, adult initiated learning etc, every child matters etc (I could go on)

But what about the children teaching us ?

Well I tell you this it's the best way to learn !!

Rollie Mafia Cat V Wilkinsons Toy mouse

So Rollie and Jack were sent very kindly some cat toys and food by Wilkinsons.

As with everything Rollie thinks it's his property ... there in lies the problem .

But there was a sinister twist in events ....

It was like the mafia had descended into my home ...

It was horrific ...

The cats are supervised when playing and it does warn you if you see a change in your cats behaviour , then take away the toy.

We all know what cats can be a tad naughty sometimes.

But this .. event ...

I'll be sleeping with one eye open ...

This is no fault with the toy (perhaps the ears could be secured better) but with Rollie if he's cross he's cross ....

Not sure if this was the reason ....

Rollie says thank you very much to Wilkinsons for the mouse and if you could just arrange the postman to eat he would very much appreciate that.

Portobello Mushrooms With Crushed Pea mix

For 2 people  ( adjust recipe to suit numbers )

25g of butteror spread

1 or 2 cloves of garlic

1  1/2 teaspoon of sugar

200g of fresh or frozen peas ( I find that fresh peas have that have just popped taste )

1 teaspoon of fresh thyme or dried will do. You could add mint if you wish.

100ml of chicken stock

freshly milled salt 

Freshly milled pepper

Portabello mushroom 

4 tablespoon of smoked cheese spread

Melt the butter , add in the sugar and garlic gently warming through .

Then add the peas , chicken stock and thyme.

Warm through , and then take off the heat and crush quite firmly with a potato masher.

You can do this one of two ways you can either put the mushrooms in the oven for around ten minutes while you fiddle around with the crushed pea mix on a slightly higher temperature of 190- 200 c.

And then add the cheese spread and crushed pea mix for an additional 10 minutes vary this as suits.

Or you wait and then place the cheese spread filled portobello mushroom ...

Then add two tablespoon s of the smoked cheese spread to the mushroom . Add the crushed pea mix to this and bake in the oven for around twenty minutes on 180 c . The temperatures and times may vary with your oven.

Silent Sunday