…my life looks like this

Outside My Window: Bright sunshine, white fluffy clouds, warm inside cold outside

I am hearing: the sound of my fingers on the keys of my keypad, a plane in the distance and the traffic on the road. The house is quiet today.

I am watching: the trees, they sway gently in the breeze but it is their colours which have me mesmerized. I don’t remember them looking this beautiful before.

A quote: There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun… Thomas Merton

I am thinking: about my friend, November was her birthday month. And like my mother, the pain of her going is less but the missing is more. I saw the quote I have this month on Bonnie’s post 7.11.12. I sent her a comment which said: This quote reminds me of my best friend who died with breast cancer. We knew, we sat in my garden, I held her and told her I loved her, and that she was and would always be a light in my life.

I am thankful: I knew her
I am learning:a new computer system at work
I am busy:
 with my November project ‘30 days of Thankful’ by Cathy Zeilski and some small Christmas projects for a craft evening next week
A few plans: I confess to thinking about Christmas. I have made an order with the supermarket which books the delivery slot I want. I have ordered some wine because it was on a really good offer. I have an idea for a gift for Ben but I need to research a bit more.
In the garden: Wet wet and more wet. We have had almost continuous rain for a couple of weeks. If there is a little dry patch I tidy whatever I can but the autumn colour is fabulous, what more can I need?

In the Kitchen:
A delicious Nigella meal for two.
Look away veggy’s.

Tagliata for two

300g sirloin steak
Some olive oil to brush both sides of the meat
250g small and beautiful tomatoes halved
For the marinade:
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes
Sea salt flakes
1 tsp dried oregano
30ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp’s red wine vinegar

And some fresh herbs to finish, Oregano or Thyme or Basil

Because this is fairly quick to put together, if you want some carbs you need to work out the timings, I didn’t, I have learnt!

1)Get your carbs cooking before you start to cook the steak
2)Mix up the marinade
3)Cook the steak
4)Marinade the steak
5)Add the tomatoes
6)Add the herbs
7)Serve
I served this with Waitrose Rosti potatoes because they are delicious, we love them, they are easy but take twenty minutes,the meat takes ten (ish)

Mix up the marinade in a dish that will hold the steaks snugly
Cook the steak to your liking. Nigella cooks for two minutes each side but I need 3-4 minutes each side, (I don’t do mooing!)
Put the cooked steak into the marinade for two minutes each side
Slice the cooked steak and put it onto a serving dish,
Add the tomatoes to the steak
Spoon the marinade over the steak and tomatoes
Serve
Enjoy, we did!
I made this recipe again last night for three. I kept the steaks in one piece this time. They were delicious. As I had another steak I wanted more of the marinade so doubled the quantities. Although the boys loved it I found it too sharp. Next time (soon I hope) I won’t double the red wine vinegar.

And a picture: Autumn Colour

The chrysanthemum has a Pixel Dust Photo Art Texture called ‘mon amour’ over it at soft light blending mode.

I am linking to Mandarin Orange Monday today.

There are always lovely pictures over here. If you have a moment, take a look?