The end of Summer feeling

After a few weeks of sun it is always surprising how depressed one can get on the first day of rain and 'cold'.
Its the end of summer feeling, where you long for more of the sunny days and fun days with friends and family barbecuing but also somehow look forward to Autumn. The air is announcing Autumn is upon us...but it actually is more than a month away.
If I was still a school child I would be getting fidgety right now, looking forward to my new school books, buying new notebooks, pencil case and general school supplies. Yes I was that girl... Now I don't have that to look forward too, work is the same during any season, the difference is wether or not you get wet on your way to work - which in Holland happens all year round, and how many layers of clothes you have to wear.
So what better than a nice Beef and Ale stew with home made dumplings to remind us that Autumn and the arrival of colder days can have its advantages.

I followed Jamie Oliver's recipe from his Food Revolution book. Quite simple to cook, but takes 2,5 hours to simmer...delicious though!

After such a dinner I feel like going shopping for some snugly throws for my sofa and updating my to view list of movies.

The recipe can be found here

http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/jamie-oliver/beef-and-ale-stew-recipe