Thursday 27 August 2020

Friends for lunch

My dearest and oldest friends for lunch today - over from Windermere.   I have to plan carefully these days when I am entertaining, but I have always loved entertaining and want to continue doing it as long as I can.   I tried my Soup Maker out for the first time with Tomato and Basil Soup and it was easy to follow the instructions - it was delicious we all three agreed.   I followed this with a  plate of various salamis, some just-cooked Cumberland Sausage and some Mushroom and ham quiches and a bowl of roasted new potatoes - plus various salads.   And what was left finished off at tea time with fresh bread rolls and then Wensleydale cheeses and fruit cake.   Now my friends have gone, the dish washer is on and outside the rain is coming down quite heavily again.   Nothing changes there then.   It is important to me that I keep going with entertaining - I have always done it and once I stop I don't suppose I shall start again.   We had a lovely day.   Until tomorrow.

16 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

Wow, that was a cracking selection of food, that'd do me anytime. And more rain!

Sue said...

Sounds like you put on a wonderful spread Pat. Well done, I'm sure your friends appreciated it.

Jan said...

That sounds wonderful!

Bonnie said...

You are obviously a suburb hostess! That was a wonderful and varied selection of food that sounds delicious. It sounds like the soup maker was a success too. Now you can rest and enjoy your evening!

justjill said...

Wish I was nearer - all my favourite food! Glad the soup machine is ok.

Heather said...

Your food sounds delicious and I am pleased that the first run with the soup maker was such a success. Shame about the weather but we can't have everything. We were supposed to have passing showers today but instead we had one passing dry bit!

The Feminine Energy said...

What a beautiful spread of food it sounds like you served. How lovely! I did look up a "soup maker" on Amazon and was surprised to see the various models come up. I honestly had never heard of such a thing in all my 64 years. I might entertain the thought of getting one too. It sounds like you plug it in and forget about it. Convenient, for sure. So glad you had a nice visit with your friends. ~Andrea xoxo

Chris said...

So lovely to be able to have friends visit again. I'm sure you all enjoyed getting together.

Susan said...

Your homemade tomato basil soup with all the side dishes sounds outstanding. Entertaining is an art and you certainly have mastered this skill! Gathering with good friends and sharing a meal is good for the heart and soul.

Joanne Noragon said...

How totally I agree. Do not stop, for fear of not restarting.

Marilyn Bennett said...

I’m with you on the entertaining front. I’m in my mid 70’s now and some things are getting difficult to do but I can still cook and thoroughly enjoy it. The planning, shopping and the actual cooking keep my mind and body active and it needn’t cost a fortune. Even setting the table nicely and using my good crockery and cutlery make me feel good.
I am known for my scones, jam and cream and these cost little in time and money and are always well received.
I think we need to keep up with entertaining, especially as we get older. It is so easy to become isolated.
I love your selection of goodies, you have given me some good ideas. Thank you.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

That is a wonderful selection of food for you and your guests! I'd happily pull up a chair and join you, but might take a pass on the fruitcake ;) . We had pouring rain for hours and hours yesterday and last night. -Jenn

Cro Magnon said...

Your meal sounds delicious; I say that as an avid eater of charcuterie and meats in general. Good to hear the machine was a success.

Librarian said...

What a sumptuous feast you have put in front of your dear guests! You do well to keep entertaining at a level that is still manageable for you; it need not be the whole house full of people, just a couple of friends and you can enjoy each other's company without being totally washed out from all the preparations by the time they arrive.
Good to hear the première of the soup maker went so well!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for your comments. Two things you need to know - I have a helper who has made a good job of shopping for people during lockdown - a small charge but it has created a job for her and helped a lot of people out. She intends to keep it going. Also we have an excellent Deli - a family-owned business which has been going for a few generations - all the things like quiches are made on the premises - mine were still warm when my shopper brought them for me - same goes for bread rolls. Cooking - well my soup maker made the soup and I roasted the sausages and the new potatoes - that;s all. And I set the table the night before and my soup maker has a cleaning programme!

Maudie said...

Sounds lovely! and delicious :)