Linda's Lentil Soup~And delicious tomato tarts too:)

I love my friend Linda's Lentil Soup..more than the Indian Red Lentil one I think..
It's so good..my daughter asked me for the recipe..
Soups in our climate are a staple..a necessity..a comfort.
I was so attracted to Flourishing Foodie's tomato tarts with parmesan crust.that I was overjoyd to find some minis myself..her ..in Siberia..at a local food market.
They are indeed easy to make..beautiful..and very savory.I ended up with 3 tarts ..not six though..I have a feeling my 4 inch tart pans are a tad bigger than hers.
We enjoyed a lunch of them..
And I too was so impressed w/ the melting the butter in a hot oven to make the crust:) Worked like a charm.
I read another tomato tart recipe recently and there was the addition of maple syrup.I bet that would work so well.It's actually from the book on my sidebar..:)
It was my first time I think visiting that beautiful blog~That is how we end up flollowing I think? Either a comment we loved somewhere or a photo..or a recipe..or you just feel an affinity.
So nice~

Nancy gave me beautiful art/watercolor paper from her favorite paper store..and some brushes/pens from her Japanese Art store..
The big brush hangs upside down to dry.I had 2 very small ones..this one is so BIG..anxious to try it out.
The paper is unlike any I have tried..so much beautiful texture.I split a sheet in half and tried a mini greeting card..My technique needs work..I tried to copy a few small Susan Branch designs again for her..So bad.so bad.
But what a thrill.
We were at Caroline's home for a little bit the day of her real birthday..yesterday..and when we got there she showed me this..She said:"Is this well loved or what?"
I made them each   3 recipe books I think..this was the first..and this is YEARS ago..maybe 12..the year we moved here..
The cover is tattered the back is not even there anymore..the pages used and spotted..
They were all recipes they liked growing up..or even later in life  when they had moved out and on..and came to eat..
Only the very best of the best recipes get added to her book..like waffles I will try from a friend of hers.
That is the main reason I started blogging so they could have whatever new recipe came up..at the touch of their fingertips.When I look at that book..I see that that is the keeper.
Our eldest..Mylène..to the left..will be 40 in August..that's how old that front photo is..  40-4 maybe..xo
And aren't tulips in the sunshine an absolute thrill also?
I love tulips better than roses..  store bought..Except the old many petaled florists tulips that look like antiques♥
Tonight is the before last show of this season's DA..I read that next season is the last.
Too bad~
Perhaps Julian Fellowes will create another..Masterpiece:)
Let us hope so:)

PS..Linda's Red Lentil Soup recipe is from The New York Times....I found it..here..

I don't use a blender..I find the lentils..get a nice texture w/out blending..and I do like Linda..I add small small pasta..about 15 minutes before I am ready to serve.. tiny pasta..:)
Last time I didn't put the lemon..added Sambal Olek..and it's parsley here for J:)