...as Ruth has said on several occasions to one of our neighbours when asked how she is.
Good evening Ladies (and any gents reading too). I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sun. I have had a great, if a little tiring, weekend of fun and frivolity! On Friday night I went out for a curry with a group of friends to celebrate 2 friends' 40th birthdays. We had champagne at a friends house before going over the road to the curry house for a lovely meal and chat and wine. Then yesterday morning (feeling a little weary, but not hungover...unlike someone I could mention - you know who you are, lightweight!!) Grace and I went to the Brownie jumble sale where we got some books, a Barbie swimming pool and this little selection...
Not bad for the sum total of £1! I just love the message inside the lid of the recipe tin...it reads as follows (click on the photo for a larger view of the text):
Then in the afternoon I went to see Ian Hislop as part of the Cheltenham Literature festival, and laughed the whole time. He is so hilariously funny whilst making very serious points about very serious issues, and manages to do it without taking away any of the seriousness (if you know what I mean).
Last night we had aforementioned lightweight and her husband and children round for dinner, and the kids all had a sleepover. I made Nigella's post-night-on-the-lash caramel croissant pudding which was fab (and I ate the rest for breakfast, but don't tell Andy! Not good for the diet), and we had a very lovely evening. The girls woke up very early as they had friends staying, so it has been a long day...too much for the earliest riser, who arranged herself like this while no-one was looking and then promptly started snoring.
We did a quick hike through the wood with Bodie, then had lunch before waving goodbye to Andy who is away tonight. Although I do miss him when he is away, I do also kind of like having a whole night to myself. I always change the sheets on the bed and potter around at night far more than I normally do. He used to be away 4 nights a week when we had Grace, so I am glad he's not still doing that, but the odd night here and there is quite nice. (I can't be too enthusiastic in case he reads this and is offended that I am not pining away!).
Well, I am now feeling slightly sick from having eaten too much of last night's left over Greek Lamb stew, so I am off to put my feet up in peace. I should be reading my book club book but I can't be bothered to go all the way upstairs to get it, so I will read this instead...
...It is the best book in the world - I love the illustrations and the recipes, and everything about it. My Mum had a copy and I had to buy my own when I left home as I still read it at the start of every new season. It is very similar to 'The Magic Apple Tree' , also by Susan Hill (another of my fave books), but shorter and with pictures. Perfect for a night when I can only summon up enough energy to look at the pics in magazines...not even read the articles!
Well, tomorrow is going to be 'taking photos for the website' day if the sun is shining, so hopefully I will be able to show you some work soon. I know that some of you are worrying about having enough stock for Christmas, and I too am having sleepless nights about it, so this week is action plan week. My fingers will be worn to the bone by Friday! Watch this space!
Cathy XX