If I live long enough to write an epitaph on Mr N`s gravestone it shall be thus " What`s for afters?" He is the eternal naughty school boy in my eyes always wanting some more , woe betide anyone who might offer him a piece of fruit or a yoghurt- don`t be bloody stupid! It is not enough that I have taught all day made him homemade soup and a roast, unless there is something lovely and gooey,custardy or squirty for afters I have failed to be a good wife. It matters not if I have drawn him a luxurious bubble bath and have slipped in there myself rubber ducky and sponge in one hand bath oil int`other unless Matty can smell the Sticky toffee all prospects of him scrubbing my back are scratched!
I know I am mean about old Ebenezer Neal in this blog and he`s not such a troll really, waiting for James,Jem and Lily Goats gruff to coming trip trapping over his bridge infact he is the bridge that enables us all to go on to greener pastures to be the best we can be. He is a brilliant Daddy , encouraging, ambitious, tenacious and kind. The ping pong and football years are whizzing past and he never misses a match or a training session often appearing last minute on two wheels from some very important cabinet meeting to get to the really important business of the day- his family. It was the same at my graduation , he had just been to a final law exam and so as I walked out of the great hall he was there chaining up his bike blonde hair and big grin flashing in the sunshine. He is my sunshine- masquerading sometimes as a big black cloud but once he is home, gets his suit off and has his pudding he is my lovely Matty again and I don`t begrudge him a little sweetness as being a grownup and a parent can be rather bitter at times.
So what`s for afters I wonder.Hopefully a good few more years of ping pong, naked decorating and lots more sweet times together.
Pannetonne pudding
I got a big panettonne for Christmas and noone wanted it but then...
I Sliced and buttered it. Then you...
Line a pudding dish with it. Mix a carton of single cream, 2 eggs and a tablespoon of sugar together and pour over it. Bake in a medium oven until set, serve with clotted cream or squirty then get the bath on for your happy husband-delicious! Happiness rests on such little things.
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Christmas in the workhouse.
I am still hopelessly wrapping parcels and am feeling a bit of a one woman band. Mr N is snoozing on the sofa wearing a cockeyed santa hat and my pyjamas with match of the day in the background and a log fire in the grate. Lily and Jemima are little sleeping beauties in our bed as they fell asleep watching Christmas movies there. Jimmy is snuggled in his Man utd. pyjamas with visions of touch screen iphones dancing in his head.We had our favourite meal tonight shepherds pie and Champagne with toffee pecan pavlova for pud- no wonder the little piggies are all asleep.
I know it is Christmas but really everyday should be a special one. You cannot gift wrap a loving family,a child`s first steps or a winning goal. This year has dealt a fair deal of sadness with the loss of some much loved ones, into everyones lives a little rain must fall.But some days have seemed unbearable.Through the seasons of tears and laughter I have always had hope that next year will be a better one for us all. It is the only way to conduct ones life...counteract the bad days with some glorious ones.Birthdays, fridays, Wedding days, Christmas day -all a bloody good excuse to share fabulous food and drink with those that we truly care about. So I don`t mind this mammoth wrap up really (I may have to buy some more Baileys before the big day though!)as it is necessary to set the scene for the celebrations. When the phones are switched off and senses are switched on and we can revel in all the Joy , are allowed to shed a little tear and raise a glass to absent friends and Nannas. I still have Christmas cards from both of my late Grandmothers and I`m not ashamed to admit that I kiss the names that they signed. I don`t put flowers on their graves for they aren`t there- not at Christmas. You get eternal life through your children you see, I see the light that they ignited in my own children`s eyes when they rip open all their presents on Christmas morning.
So Baileys in hand I better get back to the wrapping...this life is such a beautiful gift.
Happy Christmas O gorgeous ones.xxx
Shepherds pie and Champagne.
1onion
1 1/2 lbs steak mince
1 stick celery
1 carrot
2 cloves garlic
1 pint beef stock
1 glass dry cider
mixed herbs
Potatoes
butter
warm milk
1tbs condensed milk
Fry the onion,garlic,celery and carrot in a little olive oil and butter.Add the mince and cook until brown, Add the herbs,stock and cider and reduce until a yummy gravy forms. boil the potatoes in a little seasalt until soft. Mash with plenty of butter, s&p, a little warm milk and a spoon of condensed milk- sounds mad but tastes divine.
Top the mince with the potatoes and put a little butter on the top and warm through in a medium oven.
Eat by the fire with no decorum and a big glass of champagne(there`s happiness in each one of those bubbles!)
Cheers to my angel Nannas who are on the top of my Christmas tree all year round.
I am still hopelessly wrapping parcels and am feeling a bit of a one woman band. Mr N is snoozing on the sofa wearing a cockeyed santa hat and my pyjamas with match of the day in the background and a log fire in the grate. Lily and Jemima are little sleeping beauties in our bed as they fell asleep watching Christmas movies there. Jimmy is snuggled in his Man utd. pyjamas with visions of touch screen iphones dancing in his head.We had our favourite meal tonight shepherds pie and Champagne with toffee pecan pavlova for pud- no wonder the little piggies are all asleep.
I know it is Christmas but really everyday should be a special one. You cannot gift wrap a loving family,a child`s first steps or a winning goal. This year has dealt a fair deal of sadness with the loss of some much loved ones, into everyones lives a little rain must fall.But some days have seemed unbearable.Through the seasons of tears and laughter I have always had hope that next year will be a better one for us all. It is the only way to conduct ones life...counteract the bad days with some glorious ones.Birthdays, fridays, Wedding days, Christmas day -all a bloody good excuse to share fabulous food and drink with those that we truly care about. So I don`t mind this mammoth wrap up really (I may have to buy some more Baileys before the big day though!)as it is necessary to set the scene for the celebrations. When the phones are switched off and senses are switched on and we can revel in all the Joy , are allowed to shed a little tear and raise a glass to absent friends and Nannas. I still have Christmas cards from both of my late Grandmothers and I`m not ashamed to admit that I kiss the names that they signed. I don`t put flowers on their graves for they aren`t there- not at Christmas. You get eternal life through your children you see, I see the light that they ignited in my own children`s eyes when they rip open all their presents on Christmas morning.
So Baileys in hand I better get back to the wrapping...this life is such a beautiful gift.
Happy Christmas O gorgeous ones.xxx
Shepherds pie and Champagne.
1onion
1 1/2 lbs steak mince
1 stick celery
1 carrot
2 cloves garlic
1 pint beef stock
1 glass dry cider
mixed herbs
Potatoes
butter
warm milk
1tbs condensed milk
Fry the onion,garlic,celery and carrot in a little olive oil and butter.Add the mince and cook until brown, Add the herbs,stock and cider and reduce until a yummy gravy forms. boil the potatoes in a little seasalt until soft. Mash with plenty of butter, s&p, a little warm milk and a spoon of condensed milk- sounds mad but tastes divine.
Top the mince with the potatoes and put a little butter on the top and warm through in a medium oven.
Eat by the fire with no decorum and a big glass of champagne(there`s happiness in each one of those bubbles!)
Cheers to my angel Nannas who are on the top of my Christmas tree all year round.
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