Diary > Tuesday 20th October

[louisa maud]

Good for you Judy

LM

[Viktoria]

How about Christmas pudding Ice cream?
Let me know if you want the recipe.

Pootled around today, lots if” bits” done.

Son phoned to see how I was  which is  that I am OK.
Likewise daughter who was going to phone but I phoned first to thank her  for  the card she sent .
It is a bouquet if creamy white roses ,and a message on the back but the stamp was my husband’s photograph ! How do they do that?
Taken the day before we first went out .
It is his anniversary tomorrow ,that is why she sent the card.

Eyes a bit sore, mostly round the eye sockets ,but they wanted a degree of inflammation which seemingly stimulates the eye .
Not complaining.

Defrosted a mystery pie-?
Turned out to be chicken and vegetable ,now I am not a fan of re heated cooked chicken.
This was no different.

Freezer all tidy though , ready for the sauce I will make with my Bramleys .

Up with the lark this morning !seven, so tired now .
Did a bit more hand sewing ,must get the machine business sorted .
I ought to have got it done,or get another but waiting  for THIS to  end!
Well Christmas ,I am making no plans so won’t be too disappointed .
That  is a lie as you all well know 

No Christmas cake this year but a lovely River Cottage  Dundee cake.
I have really gone off the dark treacley heavy traditional type.

Boris , can’t  do right for doing wrong .
Andy, self interest or the greater picture .?

I might hibernate!

Lots of interesting walks you  ladies  do, and if only the weather here was reasonable I too would be gardening .

Some loose cover,well quilted protectors for my suite arrived tioday,darker than in the catalogue but throws look so untidy I think ,Just supposing-!
It is ever possible to have visitors again these will be tidier.
It never sees the light if day.!
Cheerio folks ,look after yourselves .
Be in touch again soon.
Corrie calls .
Viktoria.

[louisa maud]

21st, Viktoria
Thinking  of you on your husbands anniversary, hope you reminisced on the good times and happy memories, isn't  easy though, as I always say, no one can take away the memories

Take care

LM

[Viktoria]

Thanks very much , it was a good marriage ,he was pretty reasonable in most things.
And a good character .
My daughter said” I  know  grandma could be nasty but she brought her sons up  very well ,“.
We get by and I was fortunate to have him until  almost 83 .
Many are not so lucky .
Thanks again ,it is kind to think of me.
Viktoria.

[Roobarb]

Mowsehowse, I'm reading (almost finished now) Cruel Acts by Jane Casey. It's a crime thriller, not a genre I read much of although I do read a lot of psychological thrillers. I'm also reading (in the bath!) a paperback, The Familiars by Stacey Halls. I'm only halfway through that one but I'd definitely recommend it, it's so well written.

Caroline, Another busy day for you, I bet you'll be finding silver stars for some time yet! Hope you've been able to relax and enjoy some sewing.

IgorStrav, I'm pleased that you find the diaries interesting.

Candleflame, sorry to hear your friend has had such trouble. Has he spoken to the practice manager at his GP surgery? Might be worth a word with them if the receptionists are being obstructive.

Ankerdine, what a good idea to make additions to a bought greeting card, it makes it so much more personal. So many of you are creative with cards.

LM, I've never made a Christmas pudding in my life. Despite my recent foray into the world of soup making I won't be extending that to Christmas pudding! I do love CP but usually buy mine from M&S, although that won't be happening this year, I'll have to get it in my supermarket order unless I ask a friend who shops at Aldi to get me one there, theirs are pretty good.

Viktoria, glad you're okay after the op, hope the soreness soon wears off. Sleep well

[louisa maud]

I have a home made Christmas pudding 2 years old, not sure if it is safe to eat it, can't understand how it was eaten long before

LM

[ankerdine]

I wouldn't hesitate to try your Christmas Pudding. Can I have the recipe to try please? I would recommend to anyone to try making your own mincemeat. It's so much better than the bought stuff and very simple to make. I have some left from last November and it smells very good. It 's a Delia recipe of course.

Judy

[Viktoria]

I have a really delicious recipe for mincemeat, very orangey , with Cointreau !
Orange zest and juice .
Recipe available on request.

I think the worst that could have happened to the pud us if there are nuts in it whole almonds for example, they can be a bit of an odd taste when a bit old.
Suet too, I sometimes use frozen butter grated ,then frozen again before mixing in but they have to be cooked straight away or not much lift to the mixture ,but otherwise use vegetarian suet .

Christmas pud ice cream recipe available also on request.
But you can’t go wrong with big creamy  Sherry  and amoretti Infused trifle .
Viktoria.

[IgorStrav]

Just to add re the Christmas Pudding - my parents were very fond of the little Christmas Puddings you can buy from the shops more or less all year round.

They enjoyed them sliced, and fried in butter!

It's certainly a way of ensuring that they are fully heated all the way through, if you've got a pudding which is rather older than you'd like.