Never listen to triskadekaphobics; the thirteenth has been delightful. We had a pretty pink dawn which, in spite of gurning shepherds, simply heralded a bright and breezy day. We were up, bacon sarnied and out with the dog before Jack Robinson could be declaimed. Down in the woods, the worst of the mud had dried and we ambled round peering in as far as we could in hope of deer but there was nothing but deep drifts of leaves and tangled branches. Later, over lunch, Judy who lives just up the road from where we were walking, mentioned she’d had two in the courtyard recently – which hardly seems fair! All we spotted by way of wildlife was a solitary heron in the wheatfield. We had a heron hanging around our ponds a month or so ago, and I have rather mixed feelings about seeing one so close. If the silver lads from the bottom pond are nowhere to be found in the spring I may have to take anti-heron defensive measures, however elegant they may look.
Back home again, I had a quick spin around the garden. We still have a few roses and some chrysanthemums out! I am wondering now whether they will hang on just long enough for the Christmas table. I suspect not, but maybe, with a bit of Chelsea chopping, I can get them to last longer next year. It has to be worth a try. Anyway, after that it was a quick change into something borderline respectable for a lunch party. Well I was respectable, Keith wore his indestructible Christmas holly jumper which offends my artistic sensibilities. Though, interestingly, either it has muted in the course of washing to a slightly less migraine inducing green or I am softening. We had a splendid time in any event, with excellent mulled wine, good food and much interesting chat. I have found at least one other neighbour willing to lend weight to project pig.
Back from lunch, doubtless buoyed up by the mulled wine and coffee with real caffeine, I marzipanned all my cakes whilst Keith read the sports reports. The pistachio stuff worked perfectly. I had hoped for some leftovers, but it’s all used up. However, I do have just over half of a bag of pistachios left so I’m wondering if pistachio stollen would work. Also if you can make pistachio marzipan – what about walnut or pecan??? These are weighty matters requiring further thought. The solitary jumper presses on – I’m within a couple of audio book chapters of the start of the front raglans now. As the kitchen fitter has baled out of tomorrow I should have a clear day to get to work on a bit of icing and the presents for posting, but it doesn’t do to get ahead of yourself, so I shall just cross my fingers for now.
Today’s quiz question: What is the butterfly below?
Yesterday’s answer: Strawberry Leaves
