A busy day at St Pete's today (see Eccles): we had a baptism (of a wee boy of about 6 or 7), a visiting speaker from Linlithgow Link, one of the local charities we support, and then the AGM afterwards.
Home (dodging the humongous puddles at the roadside - it's been pissing with rain all morning) for some brunch, laundering and snoozage, then going out this evening for a curry with some of the ladies from church.
A windy, but mild and sometimes Sun-Shiny day, in Arkland the Pleasant, after a rainy night.
I had a brief but enjoyable visit from my Niece (she had another engagement locally this afternoon), and we went for Breakfast at a local eatery. We arrived as the bells of the nearby Cathedral were still ringing for the morning Eucharist, which made me feel somewhat decadent...
The Breakfast was very tasty, and included (for me) two nice slices of Black Pudding in lieu of a fried egg and cherry tomatoes. Lunch will be deferred until later, as the amount of food provided was quite generous - I've been to this particular place before, and not been disappointed yet. They don't charge silly prices, either, so they'll hopefully see me again.
My Niece is enjoying her new job, which involves working for a charity which seeks to help young people to cope with the difficulties of modern life, especially (in her case) those older teenagers who suffer from mental health issues, housing problems, trouble with the Law, bad parenting etc. etc.. It all sounds very worthwhile, and it's a joy to me to see her making such a positive contribution to the well-being of others. There is hope...
That’s all good @Bishops Finger Our local and national news yesterday featured a similar charity which supports young care leavers in learning household skills, including unblocking a sink, decorating, finances, putting up a shelf. All very positive.
My granddaughter, 20, has just posted on her Faceb—k page that she completed her first solo flight as pilot yesterday. Ok we’re just talking about a very light plane at SkyDive where she used to work, but it is still an achievement.
I headed off to church this morning, managing to avoid the showers that seem to very much in evidence round here. As often happens the gentleman that greets people as they come in put me on standby in case the person due to do the bidding prayers didn't turn up. They didn't, so I had to get up pronto to go and read them. Fortunately there were no tricky to pronounce names or complicated grammar. The hymns were rather nice for a change, but I could have done with handing out of forms asking us to contribute to the latest Diocesan money drive. I know, that like every one else the diocese needs more money but I think there could be better ways of drawing it to people' attention.
This afternoon we went to a local garden centre chose our Christmas tree and ordered a load of compost and some slow burning fuel for our stove.
I really need to crack on and finish the cushion I'm knitting.
Church was almost deserted today - I think there were 27 of us -as it is still icy and the pavements are treacherous. We did have a further 20 join us on Zoom.
The BBC reported today that a lovely Renaissance painting by Perugino had been found under a garage bench and was sold at auction in Banbury for almost £700,000. On the same page they reported that one of the first Superman comics had been found in an attic in California and was sold at auction for the equivalent of £7,000,000. My simple brain can't process this difference.
@Puzzler my son, known on these boards as the Giraffe, was learning to fly in his teens. He was only 15 when I arrived to collect him, saw his instructor and asked where he was. Up going solo was the reply. So I watched him come down, heart in my mouth, and when we were ready to leave asked if we should be scheduling the next lesson. He shook his head. Once we were in the car he burst out “I’m never doing that again, I could have DIED up there!
He never piloted again or finished his training.
I did wonder if, when he passed his driving test, he would have a similar reaction. But no. It was all “Can I borrow your car?”
The patient continues to recover well. I have spent the day massacring Mendelssohn. The Melusine overture is a delight to listen to, but Cripes it's hard to play. Sorry Felix, but there are Too Many Notes. Mostly it was a successful rehearsal, although that rehearsal room is always bloody freezing cold. I wore tights under jeans, two jumpers and fingerless mittens, and survived pretty well.
I had a phonecall this evening from our 24yr old grandson, who has several disabilities, most obviously autism, to say that he would not be making his usual Monday visit for a cuppa and a chat with me, and then out to brunch with his grandpa.
Why? - Because he had been assaulted in the street by some random man and had spent the rest of the day making a statement to the police and visiting A&E to make sure there was no injuries that needed treatment (he does not experience pain in the way most of us do).
Luckily he just has a few bruises, but needs a bit of time to recover from the emotional fallout. He hopes to be able to come down next week (it's a twenty minute or so walk from home to us)
Bless him, he fully expects the police to find the man and put him in jail.
So sorry to hear about your grandson @Roseofsharon. I hope the police do find who is responsible.
I failed to get a place on Pilates this morning. If you don't book at 9.15 a week and a day ahead you don't get a slot. Places do appear at short notice on the day of the class but I'm the sort of person that likes to know what I'm doing on any given day in advance. Having said that a fellow councillor has just discovered we have an event at the Town Hall this afternoon for people to talk about the East Midland's Mayor's transport policy. I knew she was consulting but until this morning none of us knew that the event in our town was today. I shall be heading there with quite a list of things I'd like to see happen.
I’m sorry to hear that Roseofsharon, that must be very distressing for him and for his family. I hope they catch the culprit.
Usual Monday morning here but nothing too taxing. I am about to have lunch before starting the afternoon’s marking. Mochi is somewhat bewildered that I have decided to sit in my office in the damp drizzly garden rather than on the sofa with her in the house. She has spent the morning alternating between sitting on my desk and playing ‘knock up ginger’ on my door.
Had a most annoying Teams meeting this morning - late starting, then someone couldn't get on so a substitute had to be contacted ... Much Phoning took place but we got there in the end.
We were staying with friends at the weekend and it was a lovely oasis of being cared for and cooked for and being told to "sit down and we'll put the kettle on" and drinking wine and eating chocolate. Going to their extremely conservative evangelical church yesterday morning was quite a challenge when it came to the sermon . Mr Nen and I both agreed that the husband didn't seem well at all (exhausted and stressed, in a way we haven't ever seen before - we've known them since university days) but we talked to them about it and they both insisted he is fine, just with "a lot going on" so we didn't feel we could press the point.
Cold and grey in Nenland this morning and Operation Washing Catch-Up is well under way.
@Roseofsharon so sorry to hear about your grandson and @Nenya it's really hard to let go of concern when it feels like something is wrong- I have to work really hard at it sometimes.
Beaky husband and I are off to meet some friends for tea this afternoon- we've known them for years but they've been living and working in the USA and have just returned to the UK for her job- the last one before she retires which makes me at five years post retirement feel very old indeed!
@Roseofsharon - yes, I, too, hope your grandson recovers from his very nasty experience.
I was assaulted by a random stranger on a train in SW London many years ago (he was arrested, and we ended up at Wimbledon police station, with a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court a little later). He was fined, and told to pay me £50 compensation - IIRC, I only ever received a tenner...
I still remember the gasps of astonishment from the other passengers when (a) the malefactor hit me, and (b) when I pulled the alarm handle - what used to be known as the 'communication cord'.
Winter drawers on in Arkland the Gloomy, after yet another chilly morning of Rain. Neighbour T has ordered the next load of Coal, and her husband F will take his trusty trailer to pick it up (2 tonnes) on Friday. Meanwhile, other Neighbours are busy offloading a truckful of Logs, and chopping them up, in order to fit them into what are probably fairly small wood-burning Stoves.
Tess Coe has been visited, because Monday, and lunch is PORK BELLY SLICES, presently cooking in the Dragon.
Pork belly here too. It's already had a couple of hours in the oven yesterday, and will have a couple more today, by which time it should be meltingly soft, and the broth (flavoured with ginger, soy, star anise, shaoxing wine and sugar) will be amazing.
Thoroughly cold, damp day. About a third of the Art Group had called off for one reason or another. I made it, not so much for the sake of another blotty watercolour, as the opportunity to buy from a good butcher. Freezer now stocked with haggis, saussies, lamb and pork steaks. Plus a steak pie for tomorrow. Which also brings the weekly grocery delivery, and a visit from the Fish Van. So that's us provisioned as for a siege.
I've had a nice lazy Day Off; I met my friend Ali for coffee and a catch-up (as I hadn't eaten, my coffee was accompanied by a focaccia with smoked salmon, avocado and Brie), then pootled along to the corner shop to stock up on red WINE to accompany the second half of the lamb casserole for supper.
It was very enjoyable (her company always is), but also useful, as she gave me the name of a bloke who can either repair or replace my dysfunctional kitchen window. I phoned him when I got home, and he's coming round on Wednesday to have a look at it.
Marking done, and afterwards I received a bureaucratic work email that has made me cross. Mr Heavenly is making a Japanese style meatloaf that he saw being cooked on some anime (!) and I might have a glass of wine.
Cold and bright here this morning. We are out to lunch with a group of people we used to meet with weekly on a Sunday afternoon and now, for various reasons, that doesn't happen. We were meant to meet up over the summer but due to Busy Lives we didn't manage to.
Glad you had a good time with your friend @Piglet . I always think it's good when Handy Persons come with recommendations.
Cold and bright here too. I have a day with nothing scheduled though I probably ought to take myself out for a walk at some point. Usually on a day like this I might hop on a train to the city either to the east or to the west. Having been to the city to the west last Tuesday it was all far too busy for my liking.
My last completely free day until next Tuesday!
I have several regular activities which are not every week, but they are all happening this week, plus the weekly ones, plus occasional ones, plus rare ones including my birthday celebrations at the weekend.
I need to rant about that so I’m heading to the AS hell thread.
Congratulations on the birthday @puzzler even if it's causing you to feel hellish.
I went for a walk with the intention of getting some refills at the eco shop. It wasn't open but it was early so I went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some avocados that I though I'd put on today's grocery order but it still wasn't open on the way back, annoying. I did pick up a couple more Christmas decorations, including a rather nice wall hanging that might go in the window if I find a longer string for it.
Cold and bright ditto. I wrapped up warm and, after walking Ted, spent the morning putting my dahlias to bed. More detail on the gardening thread.
Now it's late elevenses - cappuccino made in my marvellous bean-to-cup machine which is now ten years old! Mr Boogs was buying a Very Expensive Bike. So I thought 'hmmmm' and bought a Very Expensive Coffee Machine. Both are still going strong. 🙂
We’ve had our Sage coffee machine for almost a decade, I think. A great investment, I have a latte for breakfast every morning.
An early start for me as I had a meeting booked in for 9am. I am currently using diversion tactics before I start today’s marking. But I am half way through this batch so the end is in sight.
Cold and Bright in Arkland the Chill, though rather more Cloudy this afternoon.
Pilates has been survived - a bit gruelling, so Restage is the Plan for the remainder of the week day.
Having received the usual fearsome list of 'Christmass' services from FatherInCharge, I've spent an hour or so updating Our Place's website. I've even included the Eastertide Coffee Morning (no Easter services just yet!), and resisted the temptation to call it 'Eostretide'...
So I thought 'hmmmm' and bought a Very Expensive Coffee Machine.
My son has one of those. We just use a cafetiere - apart from anything else, space in our kitchen is very restricted.
We inherited an Expensive Bean To Cup Coffee Machine from our son-in-law as he upgraded his last Christmas. It does make very nice coffee but I'd have been happy sticking with our cafetière and said the new machine would have to live in our utility room to save kitchen worktop space. I also said Mr Nen could have charge of it (and it's quite high maintenance, in my view) as I didn't want another kitchen-based job.
We had a very nice lunch out with our friends (I had cannelloni and salad followed by profiteroles, since you ask) and caught up on everyone's news. A lot of us have big things going on in our lives at present.
No Cooking For Nen this evening - Mr Nen is out later and will provide himself with Something On Toast before he goes. I need to update my online grocery delivery order for tomorrow morning and intend to enjoy Sole Control of the TV Remote this evening.
ETA: as our thoughts turn to the Festive Season and, perhaps, the forthcoming New Year, is it too early to invite suggestions for the title of The British Thread 2026?
I have brought my Playmobil Nativity Set down from the loft. I have set up Luke 1, 1-4, with one of the shepherds, with a different beard, as Luke. He is holding the feather from a hat as a quill. I am well prepared in advance for the start of Advent.
The Quinie told me that she had told our minister that we have a Playmobil Nativity set because it has the flexibility to add in Romans etc, for extra historical authenticity. To which he replied "I would expect nothing less of your mother" in a tone with the Quinie thought was not complimentary.
The Quinie told me that she had told our minister that we have a Playmobil Nativity set because it has the flexibility to add in Romans etc, for extra historical authenticity. To which he replied "I would expect nothing less of your mother" in a tone with the Quinie thought was not complimentary.
My husband is a coffee geek so we have a wide range of gadgets for making coffee. I'll have a caffe latte a couple of times a week from the sage machine but mainly stick to tea.
I was watching Antiques Road Trip today which was in Aberdeen. I now know exactly what a buttery(sp?) is. They look very yummy but I'm not at all sure that they'd be vegetarian let alone vegan.
Since they are made with lard and butter, @Sarasa, I think you can definitely rule out the vegan!
I didn't realise they were made with lard; I'd sort of assumed they'd be vegetarian, but as you say, certainly not vegan! But seriously delicious though.
Cold with the occasional Patch of Treachery™ in West Lothian; work was busy but not scary, despite my having been off for a couple of days. Apparently the file heaps were meeting my colleague at the door yesterday, but she made most of them disappear - well done her!
Supper was pasta with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms, because use-by dates.
Since they are made with lard and butter, @Sarasa, I think you can definitely rule out the vegan!
Not always lard - the Maternal Knotweed is allergic to pig, so somewhere around Footdee or Mastrick in the 50s and 60s must have done non-lard ones or she couldn't have bought them. The recipe I have passed down from her mother is purely butter as well.
Cold and bright round here as well. Actually managed a busy and productive day at work yesterday and today, finding bugs in the test version of some improvements we're making to the way my team gets its work sent in, and re-writing the team guidance notes on where to find all the work queues! Amazing how I missed some things in the development version, only to spot them in the test one. Just hope nothing gets through to the live...
I had no idea Playmobil nativity was a thing and I am now deeply envious. I have a nativity set made out of felt by my mother which I need to go and get out of the cellar soon.
Captain Pyjamas is pretty much recovered, but signed off school until the end of the week. Today we went to the market in the rain and then to Lidl, thus averting a serious toilet paper shortage.
Speaking of Nativity sets, after Mr P died I found a hand-made wooden one (in the loft for ten years). I recently gave it to my daughter to sell and it made £20, even though she told me the actual manger and Baby Jesus were missing.
Talk about taking Christ out of Christmas!
The Quinie told me that she had told our minister that we have a Playmobil Nativity set because it has the flexibility to add in Romans etc, for extra historical authenticity. To which he replied "I would expect nothing less of your mother" in a tone with the Quinie thought was not complimentary.
Fortnightly local church group this evening so we ate together there (chilli and baked potatoes). The meeting coincided with a New Frontiers online gathering so we watched that and it was good to hear from some of our sister churches across the world, including Serbia, Ukraine and a small church in Nepal which works with street children. Hearing of the work in Ukraine with hungry and displaced people was heartbreaking, though.
Since they are made with lard and butter, @Sarasa, I think you can definitely rule out the vegan!
My daughter has made them very successfully with Trex instead of lard, although as we are not vegan she has used butter. Any vegetable fat with similar qualities to lard would work, plus a suitably vegan butter substitute. Essentially the recipe is like making a flaky pastry, but with a yeast based dough rather than a pastry dough, and suitable rests for proving/rising.
Do the commercial bakeries still use lard? I would be surprised if they do. The ones I get when in Stonehaven are a pale shade of the thick greasy kind we got fifty years ago. In fact, there was an article by a close relative in that illustrious organ, The Mearns Leader a few years ago, passionately lamenting this fact. I don't know what they did for your cholesterol level, but I am quite sure nobody's arteries ever rusted out on account of eating them.
If anyone has a good, trusted buttery recipe, I'd be interested to see it.
During Covid lockdowns Mrs Hare (jill?) experimented with a number of regional buns and cakes, of which Shropshire butter buns were by far the richest and by the same token the most delicious and the most filling. A sweet dough, into which is folded the filling: take equal weights of butter and light soft brown sugar. Beat them together until light and very fluffy. Then add about 20% of the butter sugar mixture total weight of lemon curd and beat well again. In cooking, some of the filling stays in and some oozes out... Baked on a flat tray and traditionally sold in fours. IIRC traditionally eaten around Easter.
Comments
Home (dodging the humongous puddles at the roadside - it's been pissing with rain all morning) for some brunch, laundering and snoozage, then going out this evening for a curry with some of the ladies from church.
No rest for the wicked ...
I had a brief but enjoyable visit from my Niece (she had another engagement locally this afternoon), and we went for Breakfast at a local eatery. We arrived as the bells of the nearby Cathedral were still ringing for the morning Eucharist, which made me feel somewhat decadent...
The Breakfast was very tasty, and included (for me) two nice slices of Black Pudding in lieu of a fried egg and cherry tomatoes. Lunch will be deferred until later, as the amount of food provided was quite generous - I've been to this particular place before, and not been disappointed yet. They don't charge silly prices, either, so they'll hopefully see me again.
My Niece is enjoying her new job, which involves working for a charity which seeks to help young people to cope with the difficulties of modern life, especially (in her case) those older teenagers who suffer from mental health issues, housing problems, trouble with the Law, bad parenting etc. etc.. It all sounds very worthwhile, and it's a joy to me to see her making such a positive contribution to the well-being of others. There is hope...
My granddaughter, 20, has just posted on her Faceb—k page that she completed her first solo flight as pilot yesterday. Ok we’re just talking about a very light plane at SkyDive where she used to work, but it is still an achievement.
This afternoon we went to a local garden centre chose our Christmas tree and ordered a load of compost and some slow burning fuel for our stove.
I really need to crack on and finish the cushion I'm knitting.
My Family has a number of younger members - mostly female 20 or 30somethings - all of whom seem to be engaged in positive careers or study.
I just wish they would hurry up, and achieve World Domination™ as soon as possible.
Church was almost deserted today - I think there were 27 of us -as it is still icy and the pavements are treacherous. We did have a further 20 join us on Zoom.
He never piloted again or finished his training.
I did wonder if, when he passed his driving test, he would have a similar reaction. But no. It was all “Can I borrow your car?”
Why? - Because he had been assaulted in the street by some random man and had spent the rest of the day making a statement to the police and visiting A&E to make sure there was no injuries that needed treatment (he does not experience pain in the way most of us do).
Luckily he just has a few bruises, but needs a bit of time to recover from the emotional fallout. He hopes to be able to come down next week (it's a twenty minute or so walk from home to us)
Bless him, he fully expects the police to find the man and put him in jail.
I failed to get a place on Pilates this morning. If you don't book at 9.15 a week and a day ahead you don't get a slot. Places do appear at short notice on the day of the class but I'm the sort of person that likes to know what I'm doing on any given day in advance. Having said that a fellow councillor has just discovered we have an event at the Town Hall this afternoon for people to talk about the East Midland's Mayor's transport policy. I knew she was consulting but until this morning none of us knew that the event in our town was today. I shall be heading there with quite a list of things I'd like to see happen.
Usual Monday morning here but nothing too taxing. I am about to have lunch before starting the afternoon’s marking. Mochi is somewhat bewildered that I have decided to sit in my office in the damp drizzly garden rather than on the sofa with her in the house. She has spent the morning alternating between sitting on my desk and playing ‘knock up ginger’ on my door.
Glad the Captain continues to recover well @la vie en rouge .
We were staying with friends at the weekend and it was a lovely oasis of being cared for and cooked for and being told to "sit down and we'll put the kettle on" and drinking wine and eating chocolate. Going to their extremely conservative evangelical church yesterday morning was quite a challenge when it came to the sermon
Cold and grey in Nenland this morning and Operation Washing Catch-Up is well under way.
Beaky husband and I are off to meet some friends for tea this afternoon- we've known them for years but they've been living and working in the USA and have just returned to the UK for her job- the last one before she retires which makes me at five years post retirement feel very old indeed!
I was assaulted by a random stranger on a train in SW London many years ago (he was arrested, and we ended up at Wimbledon police station, with a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court a little later). He was fined, and told to pay me £50 compensation - IIRC, I only ever received a tenner...
I still remember the gasps of astonishment from the other passengers when (a) the malefactor hit me, and (b) when I pulled the alarm handle - what used to be known as the 'communication cord'.
Winter drawers on in Arkland the Gloomy, after yet another chilly morning of Rain. Neighbour T has ordered the next load of Coal, and her husband F will take his trusty trailer to pick it up (2 tonnes) on Friday. Meanwhile, other Neighbours are busy offloading a truckful of Logs, and chopping them up, in order to fit them into what are probably fairly small wood-burning Stoves.
Tess Coe has been visited, because Monday, and lunch is PORK BELLY SLICES, presently cooking in the Dragon.
Thoroughly cold, damp day. About a third of the Art Group had called off for one reason or another. I made it, not so much for the sake of another blotty watercolour, as the opportunity to buy from a good butcher. Freezer now stocked with haggis, saussies, lamb and pork steaks. Plus a steak pie for tomorrow. Which also brings the weekly grocery delivery, and a visit from the Fish Van. So that's us provisioned as for a siege.
It was very enjoyable (her company always is), but also useful, as she gave me the name of a bloke who can either repair or replace my dysfunctional kitchen window. I phoned him when I got home, and he's coming round on Wednesday to have a look at it.
Cold but dry and quite pleasant when I was out.
Glad you had a good time with your friend @Piglet . I always think it's good when Handy Persons come with recommendations.
I have several regular activities which are not every week, but they are all happening this week, plus the weekly ones, plus occasional ones, plus rare ones including my birthday celebrations at the weekend.
I need to rant about that so I’m heading to the AS hell thread.
I went for a walk with the intention of getting some refills at the eco shop. It wasn't open but it was early so I went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some avocados that I though I'd put on today's grocery order but it still wasn't open on the way back, annoying. I did pick up a couple more Christmas decorations, including a rather nice wall hanging that might go in the window if I find a longer string for it.
Now it's late elevenses - cappuccino made in my marvellous bean-to-cup machine which is now ten years old! Mr Boogs was buying a Very Expensive Bike. So I thought 'hmmmm' and bought a Very Expensive Coffee Machine. Both are still going strong. 🙂
An early start for me as I had a meeting booked in for 9am. I am currently using diversion tactics before I start today’s marking. But I am half way through this batch so the end is in sight.
Pilates has been survived - a bit gruelling, so Restage is the Plan for the remainder of the week day.
Having received the usual fearsome list of 'Christmass' services from FatherInCharge, I've spent an hour or so updating Our Place's website. I've even included the Eastertide Coffee Morning (no Easter services just yet!), and resisted the temptation to call it 'Eostretide'...
We had a very nice lunch out with our friends (I had cannelloni and salad followed by profiteroles, since you ask) and caught up on everyone's news. A lot of us have big things going on in our lives at present.
No Cooking For Nen this evening - Mr Nen is out later and will provide himself with Something On Toast before he goes. I need to update my online grocery delivery order for tomorrow morning and intend to enjoy Sole Control of the TV Remote this evening.
ETA: as our thoughts turn to the Festive Season and, perhaps, the forthcoming New Year, is it too early to invite suggestions for the title of The British Thread 2026?
I have brought my Playmobil Nativity Set down from the loft. I have set up Luke 1, 1-4, with one of the shepherds, with a different beard, as Luke. He is holding the feather from a hat as a quill. I am well prepared in advance for the start of Advent.
The Quinie told me that she had told our minister that we have a Playmobil Nativity set because it has the flexibility to add in Romans etc, for extra historical authenticity. To which he replied "I would expect nothing less of your mother" in a tone with the Quinie thought was not complimentary.
I live for moments like that.
I was watching Antiques Road Trip today which was in Aberdeen. I now know exactly what a buttery(sp?) is. They look very yummy but I'm not at all sure that they'd be vegetarian let alone vegan.
Then signed up to sing with my choir at Bletchley Park in mid December, so looking forward to that.
I didn't realise they were made with lard; I'd sort of assumed they'd be vegetarian, but as you say, certainly not vegan! But seriously delicious though.
Cold with the occasional Patch of Treachery™ in West Lothian; work was busy but not scary, despite my having been off for a couple of days. Apparently the file heaps were meeting my colleague at the door yesterday, but she made most of them disappear - well done her!
Supper was pasta with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms, because use-by dates.
Not always lard - the Maternal Knotweed is allergic to pig, so somewhere around Footdee or Mastrick in the 50s and 60s must have done non-lard ones or she couldn't have bought them. The recipe I have passed down from her mother is purely butter as well.
Cold and bright round here as well. Actually managed a busy and productive day at work yesterday and today, finding bugs in the test version of some improvements we're making to the way my team gets its work sent in, and re-writing the team guidance notes on where to find all the work queues! Amazing how I missed some things in the development version, only to spot them in the test one. Just hope nothing gets through to the live...
Captain Pyjamas is pretty much recovered, but signed off school until the end of the week. Today we went to the market in the rain and then to Lidl, thus averting a serious toilet paper shortage.
Talk about taking Christ out of Christmas!
I had a bloody good cackle at it too!
Fortnightly local church group this evening so we ate together there (chilli and baked potatoes). The meeting coincided with a New Frontiers online gathering so we watched that and it was good to hear from some of our sister churches across the world, including Serbia, Ukraine and a small church in Nepal which works with street children. Hearing of the work in Ukraine with hungry and displaced people was heartbreaking, though.
If anyone has a good, trusted buttery recipe, I'd be interested to see it.
During Covid lockdowns Mrs Hare (jill?) experimented with a number of regional buns and cakes, of which Shropshire butter buns were by far the richest and by the same token the most delicious and the most filling. A sweet dough, into which is folded the filling: take equal weights of butter and light soft brown sugar. Beat them together until light and very fluffy. Then add about 20% of the butter sugar mixture total weight of lemon curd and beat well again. In cooking, some of the filling stays in and some oozes out... Baked on a flat tray and traditionally sold in fours. IIRC traditionally eaten around Easter.