Family Visit

[poliphilo]

My mother, sister and brother-in-law are coming all the way from Kent to visit us. This sort of thing doesn't happen very often. Usually, when my family gets together it does so on the far side of London. When you've always lived on the far side of London (as my family has) the North West of England seems a very foreign sort of a place.

The house is as clean and tidy as it's ever likely to be. I have fetched the fancy wineglasses my in-laws gave us out of the far recesses of the tallest cupboard in the kitchen- I had to employ a step ladder- and cleaned them of the accumulated grease and dust of years. I have made a batch of mince pies. Now I will have a sit down and read The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side and wait for Jenny to phone through their estimated time of arrival. Then I will have to start thinking about cooking tea.

Comments

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I love that book! I think it's one of her best.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've just finished it. And, yes, I like it a lot- as much for the characters and the setting as for the mystery. it contains a very accurate picture of English provincial life in the early sixties- the world of my childhood. I don't think Christie gets nearly enough credit for her acute observation of social customs and social change.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

It does the sountherners good to venture north from time to time! A Londoner I know was certain he would have to drive through Yorkshire to get from Muswell Hill to North Wales. Enough said!

Have fun with the relatives. I like your recent penchant for the mince pie.

[shullie.livejournal.com]

ooOoo whats for tea!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Chicken and mushroom risotto, followed by plum crumble.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I grew up thinking the north of England was all dark Satanic mills and Tom Courtenay having a hard time of it.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you were really "up" for your family's visit. I hope you and Ailz, and your family enjoyed yourselves and your wonderful cooking.
I didnt tell you, but I bookmarked bbcgoodfood.com, and have been using some of their recipes.
I think I'm going to start experimenting with steamed puddings (never have done this before), and if results are good, then Christmas is coming.......

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I do basic jam and/or syrup puddings in the microwave. Five minutes to prepare, three and a half to cook.

I'm glad you're enjoying the BBC site.

our visit

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for all your preparations and mince pies. It was a really enjoyable weekend - we loved seeing you and Ailz and then Alice and James. Fab! Mince pies were delish and stood by us all night until your lovely breakfast. I've uploaded the photos; I can post them so that you can look.
Back to work today, which was certainly an anticlimax.
jenny xxx