Saturday 17th December 2016

The weekend arrived, although for the most part, it was hidden in fog banks.

Dawn was clear, but soon after sunrise, just as the red ball of our nearest star just showing above clouds lurking over France, mist began to rise, forming thick banks of fog, hiding the rest of the world from us.

And although Jools had done some shopping on Friday, I went out to Sainsbury's to buy something for dinner. Turned out we wanted party food, although we were not having a party. Meaning we would not have to share the party food with anyone else. So I fill up on breaded stuffed jalapenos, tempura prawns, some Spanish tapas, prawn toast and so on. Turned out there was enough for a party at lunch AND dinner.

Which was nice.

There isn't much to do, and yet I seem to what to do things. Things such as make a batch of mince pies. I have a easy recipe for the pastry, and have already bough two jars of mincemeat. So, get mixing, pop into bun tin, put in the mincemeat and on with the cap. Cook until golden brown and then wait until they have cooled down enough to be able to get out of the tin without falling to pieces.

Jools' sister, Kath, comes round to distribute presents and share the news she has. She has a new job, helping retain unemployed people, and is enjoying it, and I have not seen her smile so much. Really pleasing to see.

Kath leaves, so we can have a cuppa and two mince pies each. Not that we did not want to share, Kath doesn't like them. About the only aspect of Christmas she doesn't. Oh well, non nom nom.

There is football on the wireless all afternoon, so I bottle up the sloe gin that has been fermenting since September, making sure there is enough to quality check. I saw last year that with the left over berries I could make sloe port with them, so I gather the ingredients, add them to the berries in the demijohn, and shake baby shake. It is done. Just have to wait another six weeks before bottling.

The day fades outside, mist thins before getting thicker again. Best stay inside and keep warm.

I cook the second round of party food of the day, served with cider and the first bottle of home brew that is actually ready for drinking. It is good.

A quiet day for sure, but one we appreciated, batteries recharged, maybe we can do exciting things in the morning. Maybe.