Sunday 17 December 2017

Sunday

A lethargy descended upon me after my Spa day on Friday and it hasn#t altogether lifted yet.   After a large lunch at our usual place today, I have come home and am trying hard to type this without falling into a deep sleep.
 
I had to nip into town this morning as I have a very busy day tomorrow and was going to run out of mince pies (no I don't bake them this year).  It is my turn to host our Book Club in the morning (my cleaner is coming early - at 8.30am - so that she can be finished before they arrive at 10.15) and straight after lunch other friends are calling to see me and to look round the bungalow.   In the evening I intend to make my red cabbage dish for Boxing Day and when it is cooked and cooled I shall freeze it.

This may well be the last year I cater for a Boxing Day party.   I love to have them all but whether I can cope with them all remains to be seen.   Time will tell - certainly the freezer is bursting with food.   My main worry is that I have only used my electric fan oven once after twenty years of using an Aga.   It can't be that difficult can it?

Today we have all four friends been out to Sunday lunch as usual - and delicious as usual.   I had one of the starters as a Main Course - Salmon Goujons with sweet chilli sauce, served with chips and a good salad and I followed this with a delicious Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce.   Indulgent.
I came home, immediately took Tess round the block and now intend to sit quietly and relax.   Hope you are able to do the same.

20 comments:

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

Our Christmas day will be quiet. Boxing Day will be when we are all together. I've made lots of things for the freezer. Not much shopping to get so all is good.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Perhaps you can organise your guests to each bring a contribution to the meal in future. I'm taking a leaf out of your book - I'm eating out in a nice pub on Boxing Day.

Kathy said...

Just catching up with your blog, often pop in but haven't since you moved to a new home. I hope that you will be very happy there, big changes for you but with your friends and family popping in to see you I am sure you will soon settle. Love the your new curtains, after a few days of warmth I am sure they will hang out nicely. Very interested to know your recipe for the red cabbage, I made some once and hubby and I didn't like it as much as like what our favourite restaurant make. Have a Peaceful Christmas I will keep you in my thoughts, hubby and I lost both of our Mum's this year within a week of each other, they always came and spent Christmas with us, they will be sorely missed, but we must be thankful that they and your dear Farmer are no longer suffering. Take care.

justjill said...

Christmas will be quiet for us. Just us. I admire you for doing all that you have. Fan oven we have, my biggest problem was remembering to lower the temperature to lower than conventional oven.

angryparsnip said...

I just love all the Christmas and Boxing Day things you do.
I changed how family celebrates Christmas after the divorce. I find I just can not do the things I used to but I have to say I Love Love Love my family new traditions sand you will too. I think my Monday or Wednesday post will be about this.

cheers, parsnip

Kathy said...

Just catching up with your blog, often pop in but haven't since you moved to a new home. I hope that you will be very happy there, big changes for you but with your friends and family popping in to see you I am sure you will soon settle. Love the your new curtains, after a few days of warmth I am sure they will hang out nicely. Very interested to know your recipe for the red cabbage, I made some once and hubby and I didn't like it as much as like what our favourite restaurant make. Have a Peaceful Christmas I will keep you in my thoughts, hubby and I lost both of our Mum's this year within a week of each other, they always came and spent Christmas with us, they will be sorely missed, but we must be thankful that they and your dear Farmer are no longer suffering. Take care.

jinxxxygirl said...

I have had company staying with me for a month... in a few days they will leave and THEN i fully intend on relaxing... and playing in the craft room which has been sorely neglected... oh! and i'm not cooking for a WEEK! so tired of cooking and doing dishes...uuughh.. Hugs! deb

Rachel Phillips said...

I inherited a fan oven when I moved in here and the first night I cooked my lamb chops as usual and I burnt them. Fan ovens run hot and don't need to go so high as you think. Don't overdo the racing about for mince pies, I am sure they will have as much pleasure with a coffee and whatever you have in the house, your company and a biscuit. My red cabbage is made in dry brine, placed in layers of foil (I have just done it) and then tomorrow I will jar it up in vinegar with a few black peppercorns. Maybe not the same as your red cabbage but ready for the cold turkey. Enjoy, relax and an early night.x

Sue said...

Christmas time can involve a lot of time preparing food - that's why I always enjoy Boxing Day when it's just cold cuts, jacket potatoes and salad. Perhaps next year you should get your family to take you out for a meal.

Joanne Noragon said...

I think it all sounds cozy, Aga, or no. Have a good time.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I've been feeling shattered myself, very very tired, no nergy at all. Great time of the year for it too.

Sarah Dee said...

Lower the temp by 20 deg. for fan oven and check timings, usually shorter.

John Going Gently said...

Yes, our day was similar

Barbara said...

I truly love reading your descriptions of food!
Best wishes in your endeavors to work without your tried and true Aga.

Cro Magnon said...

I always turn the fan off on our cooker; I've never known what the advantage is supposed to be!

Librarian said...

The fan is mostly useful when you want to make, say, two trays of cookies at the same time. It is supposed to distribute the heat evenly, so that it does not make a difference whether the baking goods are on the upper, lower or middle level of your oven.

As for the lethargy after your Spa day, Pat: It made you relax deeply, and now your body and mind say "hey, that was good, I needed that!" and wants to keep the relaxed status for a little while longer. If the weather and your health allow for it, try a walk in cold, fresh air and breathe deeply while out. That usually helps shaking off unwelcome lethargy.
On the other hand, you have been through such a lot and done so much this year that you certainly deserve the "time out" your body seems to insist on.

Heather said...

Lethargy seems to be par for the course for those in our situation. I have one good day when I can get things done and then the next two trying to stay awake! I am being very idle this Christmas and have been invited to my son and daughter-in-law on Christmas Day and to my youngest daughter and son-in-law on Boxing Day. That will be utter luxury.

Derek Faulkner said...

I used to have regular Reflexology, and still would if there was still someone in my area any good at it. It is the ultimate in relaxation (I used to sleep for three quarters of the hour's treatment)and is good at identifying and easing the hidden problems in your body. The day after it is normal to feel almost as if you have flu starting, as the toxins begin to leave your body.

Maria said...

I too don't know what the fan in an oven is for and, like Cro, I also turn it off.
Greetings Maria x

Gwil W said...

Spa water is usually too hot. That's why you get lethargic and feel wiped out for a few days. It happened to me. I hadn't seen the sign which said: 15 minutes max.