Monday, December 10, 2007

. Monday Mutterings

Aside

Oh Praise be! Just four letters to write, the Sussex presents to wrap – which we’ll take with us, DV, and that’s Christmas preps over and done with. Now I can relax and think of the true meaning of Christmas. Time is rushing by – our eldest grand-son about to join the army, the next eldest – he of ‘Anything to do with Super Heroes’ has just passed 18 and also his driving test.

This is the last Christmas we shall spend in Sussex with the Sussex branch as in July they are returning to live in Australia, where our grand-daughter was born, fifteen years ago. They did live in the Sydney area and we had a wonderful visit with them when we did a round the world trip. This time they will live in the Brisbane area and sadly – as MTL can’t do long haul flights - we won’t be visiting them.

However they assure us they will be over frequently and as they have always been seasoned travellers I believe them. We have just waved goodbye to my younger son and wife after a pleasant visit. This lunchtime I did my special roast chicken beloved of the youngest grandson. It’s simply stuffed with two lemons, quartered, and two heads of garlic broken into unpeeled cloves, and a bunch of fresh thyme. It is always delightfully moist and a firm favourite. Searching for some red currant jelly I was scolded by my son for standing on a chair and given a little lecture on the reasons why I shouldn’t. Quite sweet really!

Isn’t it strange how sheer beauty can make you cry? This happened to me last night watching Alesha Dixon and her professional partner Matthew Cutler doing the Viennese waltz in the Strictly Come Dancing semi- final dance off. Simply magical.

Watching Cranford I’ll bet I’m not the only one to wonder what happened to Mattie’s late, lost love’s money. Those of us who haven’t read the book that is. There is a deserving case in dire need of it – but maybe I’m worrying needlessly

15 comments:

f:lux said...

Ooh, I like the sound of your lemon, garlic and thyme stuffing! If I'm cooking for any meat eaters again this Xmas I might try that. :)

Anonymous said...

Re: The Chicken. Baste or no baste? (I'm looking for something new to do for our Official Family Christmas Eve dinner. I've done a couple of ducks the last two years and will probably move up to goose this year.)

As for the Aussie branch, with the internet, it's almost like being there.

Cheers.

Pat said...

f:lux: the only thing I didn't mention was rubbing salt and pepper into the skin. I didn't use any oil or fat - there is plenty of juice to baste it. It actually is a Weight watchers recipe. It sounds a lot of garlic but because the cloves aren't peeled they just give a lovely flavour.

Q: I just basted with the juices. Good luck with the goose.

Pat said...

Q: ps: Is that your umbelicus?

zoe said...

that chicken sounds lovely - i'm hungry now.

it sounds like you're going to have a wonderful christmas - happy holidays, pat!

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

I wonder if my mother is secretly delighted when I lecture her about her health and safety? hee hee.

hee.

Australia. How I love that country.

Pat said...

Zoe: thank you and the same to you.

GG: I expect she is. It's caring.

kenju said...

I'd love to see the dance show that moved you so much, Pat. I am such a fan of ballroom dancing!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That Chicken sounds absolutely Lovely, Pat!
Sad that this part of your family are leaving for Audtralia....But, hopefully, they WILL be back often!
You got up on a chair to look for jelly?? LOL! You silly girl, you!
Your son is right about the dangers of that....
More and more I try to be quite careful, now that I am a bir longer in the tooth...! You be careful too, my dear....We want no breakage, please!

Sam, Problem-Child-Bride said...

I have a houseful at the moment and will do right through Christmas - 6 adults and 2 children. Every meal is a major production. I think that chicken recipe is going on Wednesday night's menu. I don't have thyme in but I've got fresh rosemary on the kitchen windowsill. It might not infuse the meat as much but I'll gove it a shot. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Pat said...

Judy: I think you have an American version. It was a perfect combo of the lights, the music, the dress and their sheer artistry and of course the Viennese waltz.

Naomi: most of the time I am careful but when the children(even if they are in their forties) are here I forget I am not still their young vibrant Mum.

Sam: you are going to be busy. If you like rosemary it should be OK. It is a bit more pungent than thyme. We have loads of rosemary and bay in the garden but MTL managed to get fresh thyme from the supermarket. Dried thyme would work also I'm sure. Bon appetit!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm that's how we like chicken - and you can squeeze the garlic onto a piece of bread pre-lunch, if you're greedy like me.
I, too am enchanted by the ballroom competition and Alesha Dixon's gracefulness. (And, yes, we managed to watch Cranford when Bear went to bed in a huff)
sablonneuse

Pat said...

sablonneuse: it was great wasn't it?. Both programmes I mean. You'll have to encourage Bear to have his huffs on a Sunday:)

Eryl Shields said...

Lordy, you're an organised lady, the only Christmas thing I've done yet is make the cake. No presents have been purchased, nothing.

You're chicken sounds delicious, I often stuff half a lemon and a bunch or tarragon in and have been known to fill the cavity with garlic, about five or six heads. But I always use tons of butter, I'll try your recipe without next time.

What else? Oh yes the chair standing, my son told me off for balancing on a windowsill to clean the window the other day. It is sweet that they worry.

Pat said...

Eryl: the only reason I am so organised is that someone else is doing Christmas. Glad you also have a loving son:)