Saturday 12 December 2015

Bleak mid winter indeed.

It began to snow at nine o'clock this morning and has snowed almost all of the day.   For a while it turned to sleet but now it is very cold and looks set to freeze tonight.

The farmer, not to be put off by the snow, walked with his walking group, way up in the Pennines and thoroughly enjoyed it.   The only nuisance was the journey home when so many drivers were playing silly 'B's on the road - driving in the wrong gear, getting stuck on hills, getting stuck cross ways on of the road.  It took him an hour to do a journey which usually only takes half an hour - but I had lunch all ready.

For lunch I did a favourite of his - I can't remember what it is called but perhaps someone can enlighten me - a Dutch recipe which entails a round of toast, covered by a nice layer of tasty cheese, covered by a slice of cooked ham and topped with a fried egg.   In the farmer's case he had this double.   I had a single helping.   It really is delicious and very filling.  Try it sometime.

Tomorrow we are (three of us) set to have Christmas lunch in Hawes, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get through.  It will be such a disappointment if we can't, especially after last week's fiasco owing to flooding.

Keep snug and warm.

27 comments:

angryparsnip said...

I hope the weather lets you go out to lunch.
Remember your camera if you can. I enjoy looking at your Christmas Lunch photos.
We are having our February weather today ? what a mess. Some rain, hail and some snow on the mountain tops.
So not our December warm weather.

cheers, parsnip

donna baker said...

Sounds like Croque Monsieur? Good day to stay in. Your farmer is made of strong stuff. I applaud him.

Rachel Phillips said...

Bad weather here too but no snow. The house is rattling in the wind and the rain and sleet. I hope you are able to go out tomorrow.

Derek Faulkner said...

Could do with some proper winter cold down here in Kent, it's so mild all the time, it's like having permanent autumn. I've dug over some heavy clay in the garden and could do with some nice frosts to break it down.

Yael said...

It is called "Uitsmijter", usualy for breakfast.

Yael said...

but you can eat it also for lunch.

Virginia said...

Those men are certainly keen, aren't they!! Yael is probably correct - we have Croquet Monsieur which is ham (and mustard) layered with cheese and grilled, and called Madame if an egg is added. Much the same thing. In some restaurants they add a heavy cheese sauce, which probably makes sure the whole stays moist when it needs reheating. It is delicious - and filling!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Just mild and mucky down here today; rain, drizzle and this evening I can hear the wind whipping around the windows. There's something very invigorating about a good walk on a cold day, especially if there's a warm fire and a big meal waiting at home.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Just rain, wind and mucky weather down here. I hope you don't need a boat to get to your lunch tomorrow!

Joanne Noragon said...

A beautiful early fall day here, except no more leaves on the trees. It must be 50 (I didn't look).

Frugal in Derbyshire said...

It has been dire here all day with constant rain. David and I have been Santa and his elf on the canal boat from 11 until 3.30. The children didn't seem to notice how cold and wet it was though!

Tom Stephenson said...

Don't know about the Israeli version, but I too would call that Croque Monsieur.

Bovey Belle said...

I have cheese on tomato on ham on toast and I just call it Lovely!

We had steady rain here most of the day, and quite a gale blowing again too, but it didn't stop us sweeping and washing the front part of the drive, pre-house-viewing. Tomorrow it will be scrubbing the back wall of the woodshed!

I'm glad that the Farmer was able to get out with his friends anyway, despite the weather. It's still fairly mild here, but WET and WINDY.

Jennyff said...

Very wet here in Wharfedale with some local flooding today. Keep safe.

Wilma said...

I know it as Croque Madame - the egg on top (especially with 2 for the Farmer!) make it look like breasts. Without eggs I know it as Croque Monsieur. Hope your frozen stuff clears out soon.

Mac n' Janet said...

Stay safe and warm, they're saying we'll be having cooler weather by next weekend, but for now we're still in the upper 70's.

Cro Magnon said...

I'd plump for Croque Madame. Perfect lunch for a cold day.

thelma said...

There is snow on the North York moors as well, with treacherous driving conditions, I suppose it must be the edge of the snow in Scotland. Flooding along the Caldervale road, between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, what wretched weather, do stay safe.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Crisp frost this morning and snow still lying. As the farmer drew back the bedroom curtains this morning a barn owl flew past close to the window. It is a cold but sunny morning and the temperature only just on freezing, so hopefully it will be a good journey - only fifteen miles.
Thanks for calling in. I shall call it Croque Madame in future.

Linda Metcalf said...

Topped with the egg it becomes a Croque Madame...without egg it's Croque Monsieur. Yummy! We have been having warmer than usual weather for this time of year....but constant rain for the last two days. I would love to see a little snow for Christmas!

Frances said...

Weaver, I also love sandwiches that involve ham and melted cheese.

It's still so strangely mild around here, that I almost envy you that ice and snow across your lovely landscape. However, It's good that you will be able to meet up with your friends for the postponed lunch. Your description of seeing the owl fly past the bedroom window was very striking. Thank you for the image from a winter morning. xo

Coppa's girl said...

A nice mature cheddar, melted over a dollop or two of Branston pickle on toast, is our perfect lunch snack on a miserable day.

Anonymous said...

Mild as anything here. I am missing the chillness of the winter air and the crispness of frosts. Hope you make your lunch OK x

potty said...

Here it's fun seeing a steak with an egg on top being called 'steak á cheval' and thought to be horsemeat, I'd go with Madame as well for the cheese, ham and egg. In fact, I'd go for it later today.

Rachel Phillips said...

I''d go for a doctor's croque.

GillyK said...

Leyburn Band was asked to play at the wedding of two Band members on Saturday. We started playing at 12.30 and the wedding was due to start at 1pm. We played, and played, no bride. Got to 1.30, still no bride. She was travelling from Richmond (North Yorkshire) to Leyburn, a distance of eleven miles. Unfortunately she was in a vintage Rolls Royce, not good in snow. They got stuck several times and tried different routes. Meanwhile we carried on playing, eventually taking requests from the congregation for their favourite carols. The traffic outside the Church was at a standstill, cars getting stuck on the hill in the covering of snow.
We carried on playing until the poor bride arrived - 90 minutes late! She looked a little flustered, but beautiful with it. The service was lovely, possibly helped by the feelings of relief that she had finally arrived. Altogether we played over three and a half hours. I think that will be a day that the bride and groom will not forget!

Hildred said...

Long time since I've had Monsier Croque - thank you for remind me! I am doing a ham for the family on Christmas Eve, along with oyster stew, and a Madame sounds just right for Christmas morning!