Advanced.
As the seasons change from Summer to Autumn, a certain recipe that I use starts to appear more often. Chicken soup. Ah, what a concept! It has been used for centuries by people who are ill; runny noses, coughs, and aches and pains disappear as this special liquid is digested. It's simple, hot deliciousness warms up our bones and makes us feel comforted, like babies being wrapped in warm blankets. In fact, comfort is exactly what it is, a comfort food, like macaroni and cheese, or meat and potato pie. But there is something extra special about this soup. Grandmothers swear by it; some even say that it has magical powers. All I know is that the combination of chicken stock and thin pasta noodles is an endearing childhood memory.
Grammar notes.
Autumn is replaceable with Fall(americanism).
Useful expressions: aches and pains, exactly, extra special.
Verbs with prepositions: to swear by, to warm up.
All I know is that (colloquial) = in conclusion, as a summary, to sum up.
Beginners.
When it is cold outside, I feel like having something warm to eat. Many people get coughs and colds when the weather changes from warm to cold. Sometimes, children have to miss school for a day or two because they are sick. There are medicines that you can buy to help you feel better. One thing that always makes me feel better is a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It is magic! I feel warm and happier when I eat it. You can buy it in cans, or packets, or you can make it yourself. Either way, it is delicious, natural medicine that chases away our colds and flus.
Grammar notes.
Opposites: cold/ hot, warm/ cool.
To feel ill = to feel sick(americanism)
Common illnesses: cough, cold, runny nose, sneezes, fever, aches.
Useful expressions for writing: sometimes, either way.
Beginners.
Pumpkins, pumpkins, big, fat, and round. Children love them, and adults too. They grow all Summer; turn color from green to orange. Some stay small, but others get bigger and bigger. I have some in my garden. One, two, three, four. One for each of my children. They will be Jack-o-lanterns with eyes, noses, and mouths. Do you like our Mr. Pumpkin in the photo? What do you think? Is he friendly or scary?
Grammar notes.
Verbs which are regular in the present: to love, to grow, to get, to like, to think.
I love, you love, he loves, we love, you(pl.) love, they love.
Verbs which are irregular in the present: to have, to be.
I have, you have, he has, we have, you(pl.) have, they have.
I am, you are, he is, we are, you(pl.) are, they are.
Advanced.
Oh, it's pumpkin time in the North West. October gives a touch of magic to our little town of Wenatchee. The colors of Autumn begin to appear here and there, and, though the days are getting shorter, they are sunny and still. It is the perfect time for contemplating nature. Perhaps there is enough sun this month to ripen up my tomatoes that are bulging and heavy, but, unfortunately, still green. The vegetable gardens in this area are quickly coming to an end, as Mr. Frost makes his quiet visit each morning. "Keep growing Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin!" say my children as they visit our pumpkin patch. These huge, orange beauties, lying around in fading leaves, are almost human. But, why do children love them so much? Jack-o-lanterns, of course! And my favorite, pumpkin pie, yum!
Grammar notes.
Verbs that are irregular in the present: to be.
I am, you are, he is, we are, you(pl.) are, they are.
Color is americanism of colour.
Adverbs and conjunctions for writing: though, perhaps, unfortunately, of course.