Back from the farm shop with the cockerel ... just a chocolate marquise to make now and that's it.
But first I need a coffee ........
We've got two robins taking turns on the feeders - not sure if it's a pair or parent and one of last year's offspring ... there were a lot of them in the summer ... there's another one using the garden opposite. We watched bluetits popping in and out of the nestbox in the garden opposite the other morning ... is spring on it's way?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lots of little jobs to do today but I'll also lay the table for Sunday dinner, make the giblet stock and arrange the greenery which has been in a bucket outside the back door since last weekend.
For all you cooks out there. Do you think it will be ok to make cauliflower cheese for tomorrow's dinner more than 24 hours ahead? Thought I'd slightly undercook the cauli and let it cool completely before I put over a slightly thicker than usual cheese sauce. Final topping of breadcrumb and grated cheese topping can be made up and sprinkled over tomorrow. Do you think that will work? Can't be done with soggy cauli cheese but I suspect MIL won't like it if it has too much bite to it.
Hope all those up north and everybody travelling stay safe and warm.
OH finishes work at 9.30pm tonight and will then drive from Norwich to his parents in Yorks ready to bring them down tomorrow. Hopefully today's forecast traffic queues will have disappeared by then..
Last edited: 23 December 2016 10:41:44
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I steam cauli for cauliflower cheese rather than boil it - saves the problem of watery stuff in the bottom.
I cook ahead but I do put the sauce on before popping in the fridge, but I make sure the sauce is thick, and top with lots of breadcrumbs and grated cheese before reheating in the oven.
Have you heard the news? The suspect for the German Market attack has been shot dead by Italian police in Milan.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks B3 and Dove. I usually drain the cauli onto kitchen paper to get it really dry - but steaming may be a better way to go. It's the watery residue and thin sauce I'm really keen to avoid.
I'm not sure if that's good news about the suspect or not. Good news I suppose if it is him and he was the perpetrator and that's one more extremist we don't have to pay to keep locked up. Bad news if it isn't either of those first two....
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I'd never go back to boiling the cauli now - steaming takes longer but it really works, particularly if you're cooking ahead.
As you say, hopefully it's the right man - the BBC news site seems certain - he drew a gun on the police when he was challenged and they shot him immediately http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-38416137
The problem is the prospect of being shot doesn't deter those intent on being martyrs.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There is always some light at the end of the tunnel [ even if it is only a train coming the other way ]
Wandering round the garden just now, when 4 ducks flew off the pond, not had any for a while, so it was rather joyous.
Came in and opened todays cards and there was one from Turkey. I don't know anyone there, but I noticed it had been redirected via MSF. I can only assume it was from someone in the hospital in Syria. How amazing that anyone going through the traumas that they are, would take the time to wish me the best, for a festivity they don't even celebrate. Despite all the s##t, there is still so much goodness, it is just sometimes hard to see it.
My mood has been elevated so much by these two simple things.
Can't remember who asked, but we are going to Grenada.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
You're certainly right that it's sometimes the smallest or simplest of gestures that can be the most effective. I had a (totally unexpected) Christmas card from my niece who very suddenly and unexpectedly took herself off to Australia for a year or two just a few weeks ago. Took everybody by surprise - not least her parents and siblings. Her card was full of news and contact details and I was very touched to be remembered by her when she is very busy and has so much going on in her life.
As you say - instant mood elevation.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Good to see you Pdoc - hope you have a lovely peaceful Christmas - we're at home too - son is coming over for the big meal - but otherwise it'll be just we too and we'll enjoy it
And you're right, the little things are soooooooooooooo important
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Cheerful news Punkdoc so I'm glad you got the card and that you have been appreciated. Best wishes for your warm holiday.
we had a good laugh yesterday. We could hear a Willy Wag Tail chittering away for ages outside, so I had a look and there he was, yelling at a Kookaburra (a bird very much larger than him). The Kooka was totally ignoring him, so the Willy WT started dive bombing its tail. This went on and on, with him flicking the tail of the Kooka, long enough for me to call Hubby to come and have a look. We stood at the window for several minutes watching this pantomime, until the Kooka eventually casually spread his wings and glided off. He showed a total uncaring reaction to the little tormenter.
Posts
Back from the farm shop with the cockerel ... just a chocolate marquise to make now and that's it.
But first I need a coffee ........
We've got two robins taking turns on the feeders - not sure if it's a pair or parent and one of last year's offspring ... there were a lot of them in the summer ... there's another one using the garden opposite. We watched bluetits popping in and out of the nestbox in the garden opposite the other morning ... is spring on it's way?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Morning
Lots of little jobs to do today but I'll also lay the table for Sunday dinner, make the giblet stock and arrange the greenery which has been in a bucket outside the back door since last weekend.
For all you cooks out there. Do you think it will be ok to make cauliflower cheese for tomorrow's dinner more than 24 hours ahead? Thought I'd slightly undercook the cauli and let it cool completely before I put over a slightly thicker than usual cheese sauce. Final topping of breadcrumb and grated cheese topping can be made up and sprinkled over tomorrow. Do you think that will work? Can't be done with soggy cauli cheese but I suspect MIL won't like it if it has too much bite to it.
Hope all those up north and everybody travelling stay safe and warm.
OH finishes work at 9.30pm tonight and will then drive from Norwich to his parents in Yorks ready to bring them down tomorrow. Hopefully today's forecast traffic queues will have disappeared by then..
Last edited: 23 December 2016 10:41:44
Misread your post Tb. Thought you'd had the giblets in a bucket outside the back door for a week - nice!
I would keep sauce and cauli separate until you're ready to reheat. I would also drain cauli as well as possible.
I steam cauli for cauliflower cheese rather than boil it - saves the problem of watery stuff in the bottom.
I cook ahead but I do put the sauce on before popping in the fridge, but I make sure the sauce is thick, and top with lots of breadcrumbs and grated cheese before reheating in the oven.
Have you heard the news? The suspect for the German Market attack has been shot dead by Italian police in Milan.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks B3 and Dove. I usually drain the cauli onto kitchen paper to get it really dry - but steaming may be a better way to go. It's the watery residue and thin sauce I'm really keen to avoid.
I'm not sure if that's good news about the suspect or not. Good news I suppose if it is him and he was the perpetrator and that's one more extremist we don't have to pay to keep locked up. Bad news if it isn't either of those first two....
I'd never go back to boiling the cauli now - steaming takes longer but it really works, particularly if you're cooking ahead.
As you say, hopefully it's the right man - the BBC news site seems certain - he drew a gun on the police when he was challenged and they shot him immediately http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-38416137
The problem is the prospect of being shot doesn't deter those intent on being martyrs.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There is always some light at the end of the tunnel [ even if it is only a train coming the other way ]
Wandering round the garden just now, when 4 ducks flew off the pond, not had any for a while, so it was rather joyous.
Came in and opened todays cards and there was one from Turkey. I don't know anyone there, but I noticed it had been redirected via MSF. I can only assume it was from someone in the hospital in Syria. How amazing that anyone going through the traumas that they are, would take the time to wish me the best, for a festivity they don't even celebrate. Despite all the s##t, there is still so much goodness, it is just sometimes hard to see it.
My mood has been elevated so much by these two simple things.
Can't remember who asked, but we are going to Grenada.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Good to see you Doc
You're certainly right that it's sometimes the smallest or simplest of gestures that can be the most effective. I had a (totally unexpected) Christmas card from my niece who very suddenly and unexpectedly took herself off to Australia for a year or two just a few weeks ago. Took everybody by surprise - not least her parents and siblings. Her card was full of news and contact details and I was very touched to be remembered by her when she is very busy and has so much going on in her life.
As you say - instant mood elevation.
Good to see you Pdoc - hope you have a lovely peaceful Christmas - we're at home too - son is coming over for the big meal - but otherwise it'll be just we too and we'll enjoy it
And you're right, the little things are soooooooooooooo important
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Cheerful news Punkdoc so I'm glad you got the card and that you have been appreciated. Best wishes for your warm holiday.
we had a good laugh yesterday. We could hear a Willy Wag Tail chittering away for ages outside, so I had a look and there he was, yelling at a Kookaburra (a bird very much larger than him). The Kooka was totally ignoring him, so the Willy WT started dive bombing its tail. This went on and on, with him flicking the tail of the Kooka, long enough for me to call Hubby to come and have a look. We stood at the window for several minutes watching this pantomime, until the Kooka eventually casually spread his wings and glided off. He showed a total uncaring reaction to the little tormenter.