Moaning Lisa

I think I`ve been moaning a bit lately and I`m sorry. Last week I had no car for a week as it needed lots doing to it, to pass it`s MOT. Everyday I caught the bus and  whilst waiting for the bus sitting on the wall I saw loads of people I know and friends who offered me lifts. People I hardly knew were rattling their car keys at me willing to go out of their way to help me.I was flabberghasted by the kindness that matched the downpours of Lakeland rain. Downpours of kindness are irresistible.

I chatted to the same bus driver who talked about how his life was a struggle and how hard it was for him to spend time with his little boy. I made a mental note to be more grateful for all the holiday time I get with my adorables even if they are stinky teenagers who think they live at The Ritz!

 Then on Friday the sun was shining and I was full of energy, maybe as a result of having no traffic jams in my way for a week.At lunchtime I was really drawn to some beautiful yellow tulips in the newsagents."You can have them for two pounds" the shop girl said.I didn`t need them but I really wanted them. Sometimes I buy flowers , then let the Universe deliver them to someone who needs them more than me.Sitting at the bus stop later a lovely lady offered me a lift which set me down at my front gate an hour earlier than expected. Who was walking past at that very moment?The Mummy of our beautiful Sam who we lost to the big C in November.I knew straightaway who the flowers were for and said a little prayer to the beautiful spirit who had sent them. 

We`re all on a journey everyday and sometimes we travel not in the style we are accustomed to! All of our lives are full of metaphorical road works or red lights, but sometimes if we just buy a ticket and go along for the ride and allow ourselves to be taken where we need to go, it`s less of a bumpy ride than we expected.

I am a pain in the neck and have one too Lasagne.

This week`s moan has been about a trapped nerve in my neck which has prevented me from driving very well(ha ha),being smiley(boo hoo) and doing the YMCA dance with my class! So I made this and it made me happy and several glasses of Cava and handfuls of cocodomol later,I am pleased to report it is Friday and I can do my own bra up!

6 sheets green lasagne

2 courgettes chopped

1 red onion chopped 

4 fat cloves of garlic crushed

4 large mushrooms chopped

1 pack of bacon cubed

2 leeks chopped

butter

flour

milk

2tsps English mustard

grated mature cheddar

grated mozzarella

grated parmesan

I am amazed I had all this in my fridge and larder , but as poorly as I was feeling cooking has a healing effect and poured balm on my hurt mind and neck!

First make a big pan of bechamel sauce, 1tbs butter, 1 tbs flour, 1 pint milk, stir over a low heat until a creamy sauce is made , add mature cheese and mustard to make a lovely cheesy sauce add a tsp of dried rosemary if you have it. Fry the red onion,garlic,butter,mushrooms and courgettes in one pan and the bacon and leeks,more garlic and butter in another.Then layer it up, courgettes and mushrooms,cheeses sauce,green lasagne,then bacon and leeks,more cheese sauce and green lasagne and so on until you`ve got to the top of your dish.Finish with cheese sauce and grated mozzarella and parmesan for a dreamy delicious cheesy top!

So the Universe delivered on many levels last week. My neck is healed and the car is better too, so I have had the pleasure of chauffeuring my brood to school and embarrassing them by peeping my horn and singing like Taylor Swift "I don`t know about you, but I`m feeling 42!!"  Team Neal keeps on winning!