Monday 24th November 2014

One month to Christmas

30 shopping days until Christmas.

Just so you know.

Sunday.

Jools' birthday: I am too much of a gentlemen to say how old she is, but a year on after her 50th, this one promised to be a little less hectic, not that it was that bad last year, just getting the whole familiy together, and arranging everything, whilst being out of the country most of the time, was tricky. So this year, I just thought of asking Mike and Jane round for dinner, and that I should cook the bejeweled fruit stuffed crown of lamb again, after it being a near triumph on that occasion.

It was forecast to rain all afternoon, so any activity outside would have to be before lunch. And clearly after MOTD, as it is always good to laugh at Arsenal lose from a winning position, which they did against Man Utd Saturday evening. The sunrise was glorious, but clouds soon swept in, so that by the time Gary was wrapping up the show, walking to take shots was out, really, and anyway, Jools had chores in the garden planned. Whilst she planted some new bulbs and plants, I pruned the bushes alongside the drive. A pleasant enough task, as long as I ignored the thorns ripping my hands to pieces. There's always gloves next time, said Jools.

At then I began the preparation of the lamb, well, preparing the stuffing, cooking the onion, adding the spices, almonds and fruit, and then putting the stuffing in the crown to infuse the meat. Lovely. The kitchen smelt wonderful. Ian Dury filled the house as I had bought Jools some CDs to replace ther worn out records. They have just been reissued on vinyl, but at £145 for the set, it was a little too much for our pocketses.

Mike and Jane arrived at midday, so in wrnt the meat, smelling even better now, and so by quarter past one, all was ready, done to a turn, and amazing even if I say so myself. Lunch was accpmpanied by the last Grand Prix of the season, a sport which bores me rigid now, but Mike likes it, and it was OK. Hamilton won, and so the championship, so we all were happy. Mike and Jane left at three, so Mike could unload a ship of bananas, as you do. And Jools and I snoozed through the afternoon and into the evening.

And somehow the weekend slipped through our fingers again, with Monday on the horizon. Best hide under the duvet where it can't find us.....