Today's purchase was Jameson's, but I like Bushmills as well, and occasionally treat myself to a bottle thereof.
In a spirit of austerity, I eschew the use of honey and lemon...
While contemplating the duty free offerings at the Dublin airport last year a helpful gentleman came up and asked what was my taste. "Lagavulin," I said reflexively. "I think you'll like this," said he, handing me a bottle of the local Teeling's Blackpitts. He was right.
Tea was mutton chops with gravy, with roasted parsnips and carrots. I suspect the mutton chops Pepys ate in chop houses were cheaper, as they were then a byproduct of the wool industry not a novelty item bought by foodies.
Mutton chops as trendy food???!!! gorblimey not in Oz and never trendy. My late granny ( brought up poor first in rural NSW then Sydney) would never serve it.
You’d be pushing to find it anywhere except a halal butcher in these parts. The small Uyghur population are the only enthusiasts I know of: local Lebanese and Syrians less so.
Many years ago a local butcher ( in the formerly rough but now gentrified suburb of Newtown where I spent my early adult years) sold “ baking legs” of hogget for $2. A bloody bargain as you could feed 6 (lived in a shared house of 5 in 1974) with leftovers for sandwiches.
Talking of sheepmeat, I actually made one of the recipes from The Guardian's food mag last night. A few changes - dried herbs for fresh, tomato puree for tinned tomatoes, cream sherry for oloroso and absolutely no kale - and it was very good. I will bulk out the leftovers with more butter beans for lunch.
Tonight is Chicken Braemar (like Chicken Balmoral but with black pudding instead of haggis). It has me speculating on other possible Chicken ScottishPlaceName - Chicken Arbroath, stuffed with herring? Chicken Dundee with marmalade?
Yesterday’s concert went very well according to various friends in the audience
( Mendelssohn’s Elijah), but it was a long and tiring day, with odd meals, in both content and timing. Lunch will be the ready-meal I had in the fridge for when I got home but I didn’t feel like it, so I had a poached egg on toast followed by toast and marmalade.
Today I ache all over, as standing holding a score affects all sorts of muscles.
We are singing Evensong tonight, so this morning after a leisurely start I am catching up with myself.
We went to the early service at Our Place this morning, which seemed like a good idea but it meant we were back home really early and I didn't get coffee with my friends (which usually happens after the main service) so the day now feels really odd and I'm discombobulated.
However, I'm getting on with the domestics I've got behind with following a couple of days out, and the lamb is in the slow cooker for our meal later, so it's not all bad.
... Tonight is Chicken Braemar (like Chicken Balmoral but with black pudding instead of haggis). It has me speculating on other possible Chicken ScottishPlaceName - Chicken Arbroath, stuffed with herring? Chicken Dundee with marmalade?
Chicken Orcadiensis - served with clapshot and a bere bannock.
It's a beautiful late-autumn day here: cold but sunny. So much so, that I had a little amble beside the loch after church and before brunch.
Laundry has laundered, and is waiting for the tumble-dryer to be free; I arrived at the laundry just as someone else was putting her washing in, so I've set a timer to go and put mine in.
If it stays nice, I might amble down to Tessie's to stock up. Two ambles in one day!
I noticed that the river is higher than normal, and there is a bit of flooding on the fields down by the Marina on my way to church, but otherwise we seem to have escaped the worst of Storm Claudia. Hopefully the forecast snow for later in the week won't actually happen, as it would be good to have a winter without a sodden garden.
My intention this afternoon is to catch up with a couple of emails and do a load of knitting. I really need to finish a cushion that has been hanging about for ages so I can give it to my sister-in-law for Christmas.
A little less damp and dull in Arkland the Overcast, with the promise of some Sun-Shine tomorrow!
It's noticeably cooler, and my Spy tells me that the church heating was not on at Our Place. FatherInCharge is very worried about the huge heating bills, and has (in effect) told the congregation that they have two options - either to Pay Up, or to Wrap Up Warm!
I have suggested that there is a third option, which is to use the Hall for Sunday Mass and the Vestry for weekday Mass. The Hall is used by a pre-school Nursery every day during the week, and by us on some Saturdays, so the heating (far more economical to run than that in the church) is on for a good part of the time. New double-glazed windows are now helping to keep the heat in, too.
FInC isn't too keen on using the Hall on Sundays, though we have done it on the odd occasion in the past. It would mean a bit more work setting up, but Our Place's people are quite good at coping with such challenges.
People also have a fourth option, of course - not to come to church at all, if it's too cold and unwelcoming...
Grey here and cooler. We changed over to our winter wool duvet yesterday and today some new pillows arrived which are made from shredded memory foam, which is softer than normal memory foam. I am a side sleeper and get sore ears from pressure so I am hoping these will be more comfortable than our previous lumpy pillows.
Nothing much doing here other than some tidying and laundry. Mr Heavenly is currently fitting a security light outside my garden office so I am not having to lock up in the dark. Church this evening as usual.
The long, dark, winter evenings are Not Enjoyable if one has to go out, which I (happily) don't. They are the time for sitting by the fire, grazing on CHEESE or whatever, reading Ghost Stories, and having the odd nip of WHISKEY in order to keep up one's courage...
It's been a long while since I went out in the Dark, whether to church or elsewhere. My loss, perhaps, as evening worship can be quite atmospheric IYSWIM - 'Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord...'
Sadly I forgot the reheating lamb casserole and ended up with a highly carbonised saucepan - and celery and dips for lunch.
However, after the magic of bicarbonate, salt and vinegar and a lot of scrubbing, the saucepan is Back.
I have been reading the (sadly posthumous) essays of Laurie Colwin on food and cooking - with the result I felt compelled to go prep dinner an hour early.
I agree about winter evenings being times for being cosy with a book or the TV and Something Alcoholic and Comforting and I don't go out in them unless I have to. Having said that, we did have a good evening with our friends last night.
This evening, Roast Lamb has been Most Heartily Enjoyed chez Nen - we have it occasionally as a treat, the usual roast being chicken - and partaken of quite early, with the result that it's not yet 8.30 and feels like bedtime. Who am I kidding... 8.30 usually feels like bedtime.
I am off shopping with a couple of friends tomorrow and hope to do a major part of what's necessary for the forthcoming festive season in the way of gifts. We are a small family so there aren't a huge number to get, to be fair.
I'm supposed to be travelling tomorrow, and I'm a little bit worried that flooding will have affected the trains - there's no information on the National Rail website about whether there's a replacement bus service, so I'll just have to turn up at the station tomorrow and hope for the best!
Hope your journey isn't disrupted today @Eigon. Hope the pillow was comfortable @Heavenlyannie. I'm very fussy about pillows and always take what my husband calls my 'dead pig' away with me when travelling. I only like very squashy down pillows.
Cold but sunny here. I haven't been feeling too great with general aches and pains so decided not to go to Pilates this morning in case it makes me feel worse. Instead I'm heading out to forage something for tea tonight. Probably a stir-fry.
A bright, cold day. Up betimes and taxi to Waverley for our Winter jabs - flu and COVID. Then to a cafe for breakfast on a very large bacon roll. Lunch will be a minimal affair of green soup (lettuce and broccoli).
Finished cutting and printing another linocut.
Afternoon of reading, knitting and, I expect, napping before a dinner of chilli con carne.
Usual Monday morning of emails and admin and now I am having a break before delivering a study skills tutorial (mostly on referencing). Mochi is on my lap and I suspect she thinks I am here to keep her company for the afternoon.
I was awake for a couple of hours in the night. I could have started my day at 6.10 but I fell asleep until 9.30! Just as well as I’ll be out tonight.
Sunny day here, windy but not too cold, so after tidying up and sorting out some photos I have walked into town to collect my prescription. Choir tonight, leaving home at 6, so I will be cooking shortly. I expect our MD will be full of praise for Saturday’s performance of Elijah which was exceedingly good, according to various knowledgable singing friends in the audience.
A pearl of a day here in Arkland the Draughty - lots of Sun-Shine, pale blue Sky, and a brisk northerly Wind. It's chilly, but dry, which suits me very nicely, and the wind direction means that I can enjoy the Sun-Shine whilst sitting in the Wheelhouse and quaffing BEER.
Tess Coe has been visited, because Monday, and, although it was quite busy, the Nice Lady on the self-service checkouts came to my assistance, and saw me through very quickly. Xmass (or whatever) is coming, so there's a lot of appropriate (or not) Tat on display. The various CHEESES look very tempting...
Lunch will be SOSSIDGES with ROAST SPUDS and GRAVY, which I admit is an odd combination, but which can be classified as Comfort Food™.
Restage is called for this afternoon, as tomorrow is Pilates day.
I have one of those teddy-fleece thingies that go between the mattress and the lower sheet, and find I don't need an electric blanket - it keeps me as warm as toast (with the help of a couple of actual teddies).
It's decidedly chilly here; gloves have been sought, found and applied. I didn't even need to turn the heater off in my office; in fact at one point I turned it up!
It was sufficiently un-warm that I had a little amble along the street to a cafe at lunchtime and brought back a container of lentil SOUP (I'd brought oatcakes and CHEESE in with me, but decided I needed heat), and very nice it was too.
I was nicely busy, and finished my last voice file just before 5, which always pleases me.
Pasta with prawns, veggies and smoked salmon (there was a lonely slice left in the pack that needed to be used) for supper.
Turning chilly here, the gritter went round a few hours ago.
Tea was braised beef rib which was a new cut for me and nice enough. Would have been better cooked with wine rather than beer though.
I'm very fussy about pillows and always take what my husband calls my 'dead pig' away with me when travelling.
Mr Nen always takes his pillow away with him. It's a memory foam one and I call it his "lump of dough."
I had a fairly successful shopping trip, once I'd got over the frustration of not finding what I wanted in the first couple of shops I went into. When that happens I lose patience and decide that I'm not going to be able to find anything, ever.
The sun tempted me outside a few times today. Not for anything particularly exciting, but at least I got a few things done.
Two loads of washing dried on the line (well, almost, a towel and bathmat from the second load ended up on the radiators to finish drying).
I found a couple of ripe tomatoes on plants that I hadn't got round to pulling up, and one plant still flowering. It's been funny weather for the time of year!
I'm off to city to the west for a follow-up appointment about my new hearing aids. I'm going to try out some different fittings for them as the ones I have currently aren't that comfortable. I'll also be calling in to John Lewis for a cushion pad for the cushion I'm knitting. I think it's come up to the size in the pattern!
A sharpish Frost this morning in Arkland the Chilly, even though the Wind is from the west. Dry enough to put out some Wash Ing, and enough Sun-Shine to enable comfortable sittage (and quaffage of BEER) in the Wheelhouse - at least for a few minutes, as the Sun is now hidden by Clouds.
Pilates today, because Tuesday, and a very gentle session, as I was feeling somewhat tender and achy, especially in my Legs. Some breathing exercises helped, along with the suggestion to try to relax (and do nothing!) more...
Lunch is a Greek thingy - one of a new range at Tess Coe - consisting of Pasta, Beef Mince, and Bechamel Sauce. It sounds to me rather like Lasagne, which is quite OK, as I'm very fond of Mediterranean cuisine. There are Sossidges for later, though - good English fare.
With the weather turning generally colder (and more seasonable), it's time to stock up on such things as Irish Stew, SOUP, Meat Puddings etc., to ensure a good intake of Hot Food.
O - I like a nice piece of Liver, preferably with Bacon...I must remember to get some, next time I go to Tess Coe (probably tomorrow, if my Legs have stopped aching).
My washing may have to stay out until tomorrow, though I could bring it in, if it's stopped dripping, and let it dry by hanging it close to the Dragon. Another chilly Night is forecast.
I'm delighted to say that Transport for Wales must have been working very hard behind the scenes, because my train was on time, and I've been having a wonderful time in Manchester
Perfectly vile weather imo, wet and cold. I wouldn't have left the house but for meeting a friend in town. The nominated coffee house (sight unseen but chosen on reviews) turned out to be a cramped cellar with a restriction on occupancy. Fortunately we found a nicer and more civilised one further along George St. The westward third of that thoroughfare is being turned into some sort of Winter Wonderland with a couple of very large marquees under construction. We couldn't get right up to our vaccination station on Monday because Waverley Bridge is also commandeered for Christmassy stuff.
Even with the CH and the blinds down I never really warmed all afternoon. Just about comfortable now post dinner (and wine) and with two jumpers. May have to think of a bot hotter wattle.
The usual slog through a heap of work and a pile of marking today. But another load has been returned to students and I’m over half way through November’s trials. Tomorrow I move on to public health essays (and an evening lecture on mental health models).
Mr Heavenly made dinner as I only had a short period of time between finishing marking and attending a history lecture. It was hunter’s partridge, which he thought was a more reasonable dish than hunter’s chicken. Who hunts chickens?
Hearing aid appointment went well and the new fittings seem better. The only problem being that one of my hearing aids seemed to have developed a problem with the on off switch. It has been sent off for a replacement and I'm wearing temporary ones instead. They are set up for my hearing loss, just not a colour I'd choose. The city was heaving. I dread to think what the place will be like on Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
No luck on getting a cushion pad. I'll have a mooch round town tomorrow to see if somewhere here might have one.
Yesterday afternoon's Pilates class was particularly taxing on the Nen Back and Knees; I don't think it helped that I'd been shopping that day and carrying heavy bags, followed by helping Mr Nen rake and cut our very wet lawns. So trying to be a bit easy on the joints today.
Mr Nen, rather last minute, invited a friend to tea and I rustled up a most delicious lamb casserole (the leftover lamb augmented with Many Vegetables to make it stretch to three people rather than two) washed down with some leftover wine from Sunday and it was all most delicious. Good job Mr Nen married a Domestic Goddess.
Mr Heavenly made dinner as I only had a short period of time between finishing marking and attending a history lecture. It was hunter’s partridge, which he thought was a more reasonable dish than hunter’s chicken. Who hunts chickens?
My husband volunteers on a community farm so I've spent the morning turning some green tomatoes into a soup base while making notes on Jeremy Bentham for my philosophy group on Friday. Soup bases heading for the freezer and I've typed up my notes. I'll check them tomorrow before printing them off but at least I'll be more or less prepared for the session. The good thing is I know everyone will have their own opinions so I just need to get them going.
Nice and sunny but rather cold and windy here. I'm going to head out to buy some vegan mayonnaise shortly and maybe have a mooch round the market. It depends how cold I feel when I get to the end of our road.
Cold and windy here but the rain has stopped. I’ve had the usual busy morning and am psyching myself up for an afternoon of marking. I am also lecturing this evening but my co-tutor has just gone off sick so am I having to cover her part of the lecture too.
Cold Rain and a keen North Wind this morning in Arkland the Frore, though it's dry now. Despite achy Legs, I went to Tess Coe, to stock up on Essentials such as Bagels, BEER, and BAKED BEANS, along with one or two other items not beginning with B.
I noticed that my stack of Coal Bags is diminishing rapidly as I try to keep the Dragon at an even (to wit, Hot) temperature. Memo to self: ask Neighbour T if she intends to order some more in the next few weeks. I have no fear of running out, as Neighbour S deliberately keeps more in stock than he needs, so as to have sufficient to tide me over in emergency. Any Bags from his stock are replaced by my following order.
Alas! one of the drawbacks of being Old and Feeble is the inability to move around as much as one used to do, hence the need for more warmth in one's living-space. Fortunately, I don't have to worry too much about fuel bills, but I sympathise with those who do.
Apparently we had snow this morning too, as reported by our Sainz Breeze delivery person. We didn't see it and it was all gone by the time we were up. Our son-in-law has posted on our family WhatsApp a picture of snow on their car, though - they live around 40 minutes away, but at a higher altitude than us. They also live within striking distance of a city and never go there on a Saturday at this time of year as it is (to use Nenlet1's phrase) "absolutely rammed" - and they avoid it completely during the forthcoming fortnight of Christmas Markets.
I met a friend for coffee this morning - one I don't see that often but I always cherish our conversations as she has a good listening ear and speaks Much Wisdom. It was very cold and I got thoroughly chilled on the walk home. There's something I want to go out to this evening at our local parish church, but whether I can face the cold again - in the dark too - remains to be seen.
Back home after much to-ing and fro-ing. After church on Sunday we drove to Mum's. On Mon morning we drove Mum to our house. On Mon afternoon my cousins came round to see Mum. On Tues morning we took Mum to visit more cousins, then we drove her to her home, stopping for lunch on the way. And we drove home this morning. The plan was to have lunch with Mum today, then drive back this afternoon, but with snow falling we wanted to make sure we got home in daylight.
I hope we don't get any Sn*w in Arkland - though it's not unknown, albeit usually in bloody January (to quote Flanders & Swann). My Neighbours would, I'm sure, make certain I was supplied with BREAD and SOUP if I couldn't get to the shop myself...
The steep hill which leads up from Arkland to the village street can get tricky in really wintry weather, even though the Council keeps it gritted, but Neighbour F's Jeep thingy has not yet been defeated...
Cold but dry, with a blustery wind today. My wife had a (successful) orthopaedic appointment this morning, this afternoon we went to see "The Christmas Carol That Goes Wrong" - excellent and a packed house too!
Comments
While contemplating the duty free offerings at the Dublin airport last year a helpful gentleman came up and asked what was my taste. "Lagavulin," I said reflexively. "I think you'll like this," said he, handing me a bottle of the local Teeling's Blackpitts. He was right.
Mutton chops as trendy food???!!! gorblimey not in Oz and never trendy. My late granny ( brought up poor first in rural NSW then Sydney) would never serve it.
You’d be pushing to find it anywhere except a halal butcher in these parts. The small Uyghur population are the only enthusiasts I know of: local Lebanese and Syrians less so.
Many years ago a local butcher ( in the formerly rough but now gentrified suburb of Newtown where I spent my early adult years) sold “ baking legs” of hogget for $2. A bloody bargain as you could feed 6 (lived in a shared house of 5 in 1974) with leftovers for sandwiches.
Tonight is Chicken Braemar (like Chicken Balmoral but with black pudding instead of haggis). It has me speculating on other possible Chicken ScottishPlaceName - Chicken Arbroath, stuffed with herring? Chicken Dundee with marmalade?
Chicken Edinburgh stuffed with Edinburgh ro... no, don't even go there!
( Mendelssohn’s Elijah), but it was a long and tiring day, with odd meals, in both content and timing. Lunch will be the ready-meal I had in the fridge for when I got home but I didn’t feel like it, so I had a poached egg on toast followed by toast and marmalade.
Today I ache all over, as standing holding a score affects all sorts of muscles.
We are singing Evensong tonight, so this morning after a leisurely start I am catching up with myself.
However, I'm getting on with the domestics I've got behind with following a couple of days out, and the lamb is in the slow cooker for our meal later, so it's not all bad.
It's a beautiful late-autumn day here: cold but sunny. So much so, that I had a little amble beside the loch after church and before brunch.
Laundry has laundered, and is waiting for the tumble-dryer to be free; I arrived at the laundry just as someone else was putting her washing in, so I've set a timer to go and put mine in.
If it stays nice, I might amble down to Tessie's to stock up. Two ambles in one day!
My intention this afternoon is to catch up with a couple of emails and do a load of knitting. I really need to finish a cushion that has been hanging about for ages so I can give it to my sister-in-law for Christmas.
It's noticeably cooler, and my Spy tells me that the church heating was not on at Our Place. FatherInCharge is very worried about the huge heating bills, and has (in effect) told the congregation that they have two options - either to Pay Up, or to Wrap Up Warm!
I have suggested that there is a third option, which is to use the Hall for Sunday Mass and the Vestry for weekday Mass. The Hall is used by a pre-school Nursery every day during the week, and by us on some Saturdays, so the heating (far more economical to run than that in the church) is on for a good part of the time. New double-glazed windows are now helping to keep the heat in, too.
FInC isn't too keen on using the Hall on Sundays, though we have done it on the odd occasion in the past. It would mean a bit more work setting up, but Our Place's people are quite good at coping with such challenges.
People also have a fourth option, of course - not to come to church at all, if it's too cold and unwelcoming...
Nothing much doing here other than some tidying and laundry. Mr Heavenly is currently fitting a security light outside my garden office so I am not having to lock up in the dark. Church this evening as usual.
The long, dark, winter evenings are Not Enjoyable if one has to go out, which I (happily) don't. They are the time for sitting by the fire, grazing on CHEESE or whatever, reading Ghost Stories, and having the odd nip of WHISKEY in order to keep up one's courage...
It's been a long while since I went out in the Dark, whether to church or elsewhere. My loss, perhaps, as evening worship can be quite atmospheric IYSWIM - 'Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord...'
However, after the magic of bicarbonate, salt and vinegar and a lot of scrubbing, the saucepan is Back.
I have been reading the (sadly posthumous) essays of Laurie Colwin on food and cooking - with the result I felt compelled to go prep dinner an hour early.
This evening, Roast Lamb has been Most Heartily Enjoyed chez Nen - we have it occasionally as a treat, the usual roast being chicken - and partaken of quite early, with the result that it's not yet 8.30 and feels like bedtime. Who am I kidding... 8.30 usually feels like bedtime.
I am off shopping with a couple of friends tomorrow and hope to do a major part of what's necessary for the forthcoming festive season in the way of gifts. We are a small family so there aren't a huge number to get, to be fair.
Cold but sunny here. I haven't been feeling too great with general aches and pains so decided not to go to Pilates this morning in case it makes me feel worse. Instead I'm heading out to forage something for tea tonight. Probably a stir-fry.
It's 'take your own pilot day' 😂
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SCRpnxDgkpLbXHfV8
(My son had just flown in from Belfast so joined us for a coffee)
Biggles flies undone?
Finished cutting and printing another linocut.
Afternoon of reading, knitting and, I expect, napping before a dinner of chilli con carne.
Usual Monday morning of emails and admin and now I am having a break before delivering a study skills tutorial (mostly on referencing). Mochi is on my lap and I suspect she thinks I am here to keep her company for the afternoon.
Sunny day here, windy but not too cold, so after tidying up and sorting out some photos I have walked into town to collect my prescription. Choir tonight, leaving home at 6, so I will be cooking shortly. I expect our MD will be full of praise for Saturday’s performance of Elijah which was exceedingly good, according to various knowledgable singing friends in the audience.
Tess Coe has been visited, because Monday, and, although it was quite busy, the Nice Lady on the self-service checkouts came to my assistance, and saw me through very quickly. Xmass (or whatever) is coming, so there's a lot of appropriate (or not) Tat on display. The various CHEESES look very tempting...
Lunch will be SOSSIDGES with ROAST SPUDS and GRAVY, which I admit is an odd combination, but which can be classified as Comfort Food™.
Restage is called for this afternoon, as tomorrow is Pilates day.
Likewise here: a good Drying Day - sheets have been washed, also mattress protector (which has been replaced on the bed with the electric blanket).
It's decidedly chilly here; gloves have been sought, found and applied. I didn't even need to turn the heater off in my office; in fact at one point I turned it up!
It was sufficiently un-warm that I had a little amble along the street to a cafe at lunchtime and brought back a container of lentil SOUP (I'd brought oatcakes and CHEESE in with me, but decided I needed heat), and very nice it was too.
I was nicely busy, and finished my last voice file just before 5, which always pleases me.
Pasta with prawns, veggies and smoked salmon (there was a lonely slice left in the pack that needed to be used) for supper.
Tea was braised beef rib which was a new cut for me and nice enough. Would have been better cooked with wine rather than beer though.
I had a fairly successful shopping trip, once I'd got over the frustration of not finding what I wanted in the first couple of shops I went into. When that happens I lose patience and decide that I'm not going to be able to find anything, ever.
Two loads of washing dried on the line (well, almost, a towel and bathmat from the second load ended up on the radiators to finish drying).
I found a couple of ripe tomatoes on plants that I hadn't got round to pulling up, and one plant still flowering. It's been funny weather for the time of year!
Pilates today, because Tuesday, and a very gentle session, as I was feeling somewhat tender and achy, especially in my Legs. Some breathing exercises helped, along with the suggestion to try to relax (and do nothing!) more...
Lunch is a Greek thingy - one of a new range at Tess Coe - consisting of Pasta, Beef Mince, and Bechamel Sauce. It sounds to me rather like Lasagne, which is quite OK, as I'm very fond of Mediterranean cuisine. There are Sossidges for later, though - good English fare.
With the weather turning generally colder (and more seasonable), it's time to stock up on such things as Irish Stew, SOUP, Meat Puddings etc., to ensure a good intake of Hot Food.
Nice sunny day mostly - except it started to rain just as I was about to get in the washing. It didn't really get wet though.
My washing may have to stay out until tomorrow, though I could bring it in, if it's stopped dripping, and let it dry by hanging it close to the Dragon. Another chilly Night is forecast.
Quiet day at work; although everybody was in, nobody seemed to be producing very much for me to do. I've no doubt this won't last ...
Supper was risi e bisi, which I decided to rename as greasy e bisi, as I put in too much butter*.
It still wasn't bad though.
* I know - I didn't think such a thing existed either, but I was halving the ingredients from a recipe, and may have forgotten to halve the butter ...
Even with the CH and the blinds down I never really warmed all afternoon. Just about comfortable now post dinner (and wine) and with two jumpers. May have to think of a bot hotter wattle.
Mr Heavenly made dinner as I only had a short period of time between finishing marking and attending a history lecture. It was hunter’s partridge, which he thought was a more reasonable dish than hunter’s chicken. Who hunts chickens?
No luck on getting a cushion pad. I'll have a mooch round town tomorrow to see if somewhere here might have one.
Mr Nen, rather last minute, invited a friend to tea and I rustled up a most delicious lamb casserole (the leftover lamb augmented with Many Vegetables to make it stretch to three people rather than two) washed down with some leftover wine from Sunday and it was all most delicious. Good job Mr Nen married a Domestic Goddess.
Now heading for Bed and Book.
It is rather like shooting fish in a barrel.
Nice and sunny but rather cold and windy here. I'm going to head out to buy some vegan mayonnaise shortly and maybe have a mooch round the market. It depends how cold I feel when I get to the end of our road.
I noticed that my stack of Coal Bags is diminishing rapidly
Alas! one of the drawbacks of being Old and Feeble is the inability to move around as much as one used to do, hence the need for more warmth in one's living-space. Fortunately, I don't have to worry too much about fuel bills, but I sympathise with those who do.
I met a friend for coffee this morning - one I don't see that often but I always cherish our conversations as she has a good listening ear and speaks Much Wisdom. It was very cold and I got thoroughly chilled on the walk home. There's something I want to go out to this evening at our local parish church, but whether I can face the cold again - in the dark too - remains to be seen.
The steep hill which leads up from Arkland to the village street can get tricky in really wintry weather, even though the Council keeps it gritted, but Neighbour F's Jeep thingy has not yet been defeated...