Twenty nine is quite a big number, isn't it? I haven't been counting for a while, just looking at months. But I had a look tonight, and it's unexpectedly flummoxing to put a number on it. Twenty-seven of those Saturdays have been spent where I am now, on my sofa (Cocktails at 7pm, for anyone who's around). Nothing terrible has happened to me, or my loved ones, although the sheer number of covid surveys I'm now in make me feel a bit apologetic that I've nothing much to report. But it's still a big number.
I've been struggling with the approaching dark times for a bit, even before this week when the news cycle has become a bit extra. But I've also started to try to take some steps towards comfort. Extra slippers and a new blanket. A nearly-daylight lamp (which is its own rather dull saga I shall spare you). Betty's order (parkin ahoy). And to remember some of the good things about the darker days.
One of which is, it's worth putting on fairy lights now. These are above my sofa, and they make me smile every time I look at them.
One good thing about them being mostly behind my head is the wonkiness doesn't annoy me except in pictures. (The battery pack is sitting on the table to left.)
But of course autumn is a much better time for cooking than the warm days. Produce is plentiful, and a bit of extra warmth is a pleasure. Yes, it means frying onions again, but I've got out grains and stock cubes, roasting veg, warmer spices, soups (we've had some cracking soups lately on the blog), mushroom joys (if you missed Kate's epic this week, check it out)... and even baking seems like a plan.
If you missed the first mention, #ConfinedCocktails on 17 October will be preceded by a #ConfinedCookalong, where from about 3.30pm those who fancy it make some brownies/blondies/other baked goods of choice, a la facon de chaque maison, even if that's mainly with chocolate and some kind of texture. Consider this a reminder to get looking out a recipe, and ordering ahead if you're getting deliveries. Consider it also a positive encouragement to eat chocolatey cakes in the middle of October. For community.
And thank you, for 29 weeks of boggling and baking. I'll be on the fig leaf wine and crisps tonight. See you on twitter if you do.
TWENTY NINE? Twenty. Nine. Yeah, that's. Well, isn't it? Love the fairy lights!
ReplyDeletePS Just decided to join in #ConfinedCocktails with a #JacobinDay monstrosity based on the ginger cordial. Only... it's not Saturday any more, is it? Time. What even is time?
DeleteYes. Two. And nine. No wonder we're all a bit chronologically confused these days.
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