Monday 29 February 2016

Feeling lazy



I feeling lazy today. There’s a distinct reluctance to do anything.

Part of it is that I’ve been distracted by my jigsaw – a boating regatta scene, shades of Henley. I’ve never been to a regatta & I’m not sure of the appeal. Perhaps it’s just that I’m not part of the public school set, nor do I particularly want to be. The idea of sitting, watching rowers go by, sipping champagne & having a fancy picnic doesn’t do much for me –  except perhaps for the champagne.

Usually I start the day with some food prep for dinner but today there is nothing to prepare. We’re having a simple chicken salad. The chicken will be hot, just fried. I’ve not even bought the chicken yet so there’s nothing I can do for that. We’re going to have hot jacket potatoes but they take next to no time in the microwave. As for the salad itself that is just a case of washing the lettuce, frying up a few croutons, adding some dressing a maybe a bit of beetroot & some tomatoes (I’ve got to have them!) All this adds up to no preparation.

The day is a bit grey too, which doesn’t help. It feels as though it is waiting, to do what I’m not sure, but waiting. It certainly doesn’t encourage me to get off my backside & do something. Instead I’m more inclined to join the wait. I’m hoping that having dragged myself to the computer to write this will get me cranked up to do something with the day. Or maybe I’ll just shut my eyes & doze off for a while.

Saturday 27 February 2016

A lovely week



We’ve had a lovely week. It’s been very cold. In the morning the world has been white, with frost though sometimes an odd bit of snow. But what has made it so special has been the glorious blue skies, so cheery.

As a result of all the sunshine the spring flowers have opened up. Now in our garden, both back & front clumps of snowdrops bloom. In the front they are joined by a large clump of golden crocuses, a smaller ones of pale purple & gold mixed crocuses & a few purple striped & pure white with a golden heart crocuses. In the back garden, a colder area, more of a frost pocket, the crocuses haven’t actually opened but their buds are appearing, deep rich purple & gold. Some baby daffodils are also starting to open up & show their sunny faces.

The cold has brought the birds more to our bird table. Normally they are happy enough finding their own food in the garden – we’ve put in plenty of seed-/berry- bearing plants. They enjoy a good rootle in the lawns for worms etc. But with the ground being frozen solid part of the day they’ve had to resort to the food table with its unfrozen seed, food scraps etc. It’s been lovely to see the blackbirds, wood-pigeons, collared doves, starlings, robin etc. nearer the house, where they are easier to watch while staying warm inside.

All of our local friends seem to have been in good humour & improving health. Our only concern lies with our very good friend in Harrogate, who we visit occasionally & who seems to be going through a bad spell healthwise.

We got along to the travel agents this week & started the process of organising a September holiday in the French Alps. The hotel overlooks a lake & looks fabulous. Our only concern is that it is with the same company we went to Austria with last year. Getting booked seemed to take weeks as they were very dopey about sorting a wheelchair accessible room & airport assistance. However, when they finally managed to get themselves organised, all went well & it turned into a wonderful holiday so here’s hoping.

Thursday 25 February 2016

Tomato mad



I’ve just been preparing dinner. We’re having pancakes stuffed with a homemade minced beef ragu, topped with a crème fraiche & cheese sauce. Anyhow I was filling the pancakes with this very tomatoey ragu mix, when it struck me just how many tomato based meals I’ve had of late.

Yesterday we had lemon sole braised in a tomato, garlic & lemon sauce.  Tuesday’s dinner was a very Italian basic bacon & tomato sauce with macaroni, using passata. Monday we had bacon flans, served with baked beans (in tomato sauce). Sunday was a day off, but Saturday I had spicy prawn pappardelle as my main course. Friday I’d had a spiced prawn starter. Both were in a spicy tomato sauce. Thursday I’d had a tomato sandwich for breakfast. Wednesday the Fox made us a delicious Cheese Pasta Medley, served with tomatoes for veg. Tuesday had been another day of bacon flans with baked beans.

Even looking forward I’m aware I’m putting some cherry tomatoes into Saturday’s dinner & the Fox is intending to serve tomatoes with the Kipper & Egg Kedgeree he’s making for Sunday. I’ve still got a few tomatoes left to put into sandwiches for breakfast.

I’m beginning to think I’m going to turn bright red - the first stage to turning into a tomato?? But I still enjoy eating tomatoes for all this glut of tomatoey food.