A Little Update So As To Not Be A Slack Blogger

I'm currently researching a big, fancy, journalistic-type blog post, which you may have an idea about if you follow me on the Twitter-machine.  It's not left much time for blogging about other things, but I thought I'd share a little bit about my op shop trip last week.
I went to Lifeline looking for something suitable to wear to a job interview.  I didn't find anything, but I did find this:

I saw her and immediately I was flooded with memories of my mother's aunt, one of my best friends and favourite old people as a child.  She loved dolls, Asian-inspired art, musical instruments and antiques.  As this doll is all of those things, I had to get her.  I took a deep breath and hoped whoever had priced her didn't know what dolls like this are worth and what a collector will pay.  I picked her up and turned her over to find the price sticker... $1.50!  If it is possible to smile audibly, I'm sure I did!  I went right to the counter and bought her.  I took my new little sister to the cafe with me and she sat on the table and "played" for me while I had a coffee.
On my way home, I stopped in at the Asthma Foundation op shop, and found a book by one of my favourite writers, Maeve Binchy, for $1.
All in all, a good day op shopping.

Lots of love to you,
Cassandra Louise.

Green Pasta - Meatless Monday

Last week for Meatless Monday, I shared this lasagne recipe which feeds six people, four very hungry people or eight people who are having a lot of salad with it.  This week I'm linking up with Little Wolff again, and sharing something that feeds just one person, and only takes one small saucepan to make.

To make my green pasta, You will need:

 Any kind of dry pasta.  I happen to have penne, so that's what I'll use.

 Frozen spinach that comes in little segments like this:

Half an avocado, chopped into bits.

Vegetable stock powder (or any stock of any kind.  You're clever, you can adapt it).

You'll also need olive oil.

Add water, 1 teaspoon of stock powder and a drizzle of olive oil in a small saucepan.

When the water boils (oh yeah, you'll have to turn the stove on), add about a handful of pasta, the avocado and the spinach all at once.  Yay!

Break up the spinach cube by poking it periodically with a wooden spoon.  Let the whole thing cook according to the directions on your pasta packet, which is usually about 10 minutes, then give it a good stir.

Drain off excess liquid if you prefer, or have it as a nice light broth.  A sprinkling of pine nuts would be nice in it, too.  This recipe makes about this much:

Which is excellent for a quick lunch for one person, and of course could be easily adapted to feed more.

Happy cooking!

Cassandra Louise.