Jackie spent much of the day cooking masses of curry and other dishes in preparation for her traditional Boxing Day extended family event, which, of course we had been forced to cancel last year.
Here are peppers frying, some diced beef undergoing pressure cooking, and pots of ingredients ready for their turn.
For the last twelve years an antique wall cupboard has stood on the floor because we couldn’t find a suitable place to hang it. Today our Maintenance Department had the idea of standing it on top of the Chinese cupboard in the hall, and, taking a break from her culinary efforts, she helped me lift it up there, and photographed it afterwards.
Further preparation for our holiday visitors was the removal of much furniture and stuff dumped in other bedrooms while the new upstairs sitting room was being refurbished. I completed the task of temporarily returning them to the new room, pending decisions about where to dispose of much of it.
Afterwards I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/12/11/a-knights-tale-77-as-long-as-i-can-have-that-one/
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata and tender runner beans with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Macon.
It looks just fine. Things can sit one on top of one another.:-)
Always good to cook ahead of time.
That is one reason why Jackie is the Culinary Queen. Thanks very much, Laurie
The preparations look absolutely scrumptious. The wall cupboard now has a most appropriate home, and serves the Chinese cupboard as a wonderful companion. Derrick, you and Jackie have a beautiful home, all the work is certainly paying off! Have a wonderful holiday celebration.
Thank you so much, Maj. The same to you and Sher.
Your maintenance department is very clever. 😀 It looks great. It sounds like preparations for the upcoming festivities are going well!
She is indeed, Merril. Thanks very much. 🙂
You’re welcome!😀
The food already looks delicious, Jackie! Your home looks cozy, lovely! ❤️🇬🇧
Thanks very much from us both, John
I’ve been know to do the stack a cupboard/bookcase on a cupboard/bookcase track myself. Your stacked cabinets look great; the top one balances out the grandfather clock.
More evidence of how we think alike, Liz. Very gratifying.
😀
*trick
Wall cupboard looks good up there
Jackie’s cooking looks delicious and way too much work
😉👍👍
I like both your observations, Pat. Thanks a lot. And that was only the beef in red wine option.
The woman is a saint or could use help (maybe both, hint hint). 😉
Saint Jackie prefers to work unaided – although I do occasionally do some chopping up
How wonderful, (finally) a family Christmas! Preparations look to be well underway.
Fingers crossed that Boris lasts long enough not to bring in another lockdown. Thanks a lot, Sheree
He’s going to be hard to get rid
Probably true – Cummings must be doing his best
😎
Jackie’s Boxing day meal preperations look and sound scrumptious Derrick .. did my “Perceptions” PDF email come through for you … It’s an old email address that I seldom use …
I did get the e-mail but no attachment. I wondered why you hadn’t responded when I replied. Thanks very much, Ivor
That’s ok now I have your email I’ll send via my Gmail acc 😊
🙂
The cupboard looks rather good place upon the other. Good idea, Jackie
Jackie’s Christmas preparations sound very much like the ones that are going on next door. My preparations and contributions seem to be less and less as each year goes by.
Thanks very much from us both, Sue. This year in particular you need to be looked after
Very nice! My mouth is watering!
Thanks very much, Leslie
I could eat that entire skillet of peppers, Derrick. I love them! Jackie is full of great ideas. The cupboard looks perfect.
Thanks a lot, Jill
It is good to see forethought and organisation in action. Have either of you thought of becoming prime minister? There may be a vacancy soon.
I think Derrick or Jackie would make an excellent one!
Thank you for your trust, Lavinia. No way 🙂
Thanks for your vote, Tootlepedal. No-one in their right mind would want the job.
And there’s the rub. Our governments are filled with people who seem, to one degree or another, to not be in their right minds!
Indeed
I don’t know. I sometimes feel a tendency to want to rule the world creeping over me.
🙂
There’s a feeling of satisfaction when furniture comes together like that. The peppers look yummy. 🙂 Enjoy the preparations!
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
It all looks warm and inviting at your house, Derrick and Jackie!
Thanks you very much, Lavinia
The pasta dinner sounds delicious. I like how you placed the one piece of furniture on the other. Simple solution, eh? Your hardware floors are beautiful. Isn’t a refinished, or new, hardwood floor a beautiful addition to a house? It all looks nice for your holiday gathering.
Thank you very much, Steve. Actually the new floors are laminate – you have proved how effective they are.
Absolutely!
The antique cupboard strikes a chord with the grandfather clock bidding time next to it. The Maintenace Department has chosen an apt station for the old companion.
Absolutely right, Uma. Well seen, as always. Much appreciated.
The two of you are hard to keep up with! I’ve baked a Christmas fruit cake and some biscuits in preparation for our family get-together … that counts. Actually, it is so hot here that the very thought of spending time in the kitchen is off-putting. All signs are there that your festive preparations will be enjoyed by many … we wait with bated breath to see if the provincial borders will remain open …
It is still controversial over here – much argument about whether we should have further restrictions with the surge of Omicron. I’ve never understood the need for traditional Christmas dinners in hot climes. Thanks very much, Anne.
The antique wall cupboard looks great there!
Thanks very much, Alette
😊
Ooh, well done, Jackie – that’s the way to do it! So much better than slaving over a hot stove when guests have arrived! I can imagine how wonderfully aromatic your house smelt yesterday 🙂
I’m admiring your kitchen worktops and tiles too – beautifully contrasting textures that look perfect together!
Thank you very much, Emma. Jackie really appreciates this but is now slaving over the hot stove for the second day. She laughs at my response
… It’s all about the preparation!
Yet another day of wonderful culinary smells in the Knight household, I’m sure!
Indeed
Maintenance department deserves a bonus 😉- the arrangement looks great! Your chef is working hard! I’m sure the festivities will be wonderful! Fingers crossed for no lockdown 🎄
Thanks very much, Mrs N. We are keeping our fingers crossed
Yeay to those yummy dishes.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Your home is looking so good! You two know how to get it done – and now you’re teaching Christmas and Boxing Day how to do it!!
Oh, perfection! A perfect place for the antique cupboard. I agree with Liz, it balances well with the clock.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I’m glad this year you will be able to have your extended family get-together.
Thank you very much, Helen. Fingers crossed.
Indeed!
That is a good place for the antique
The food looks Devine
Thank you very much, More
I do like your furniture, Derrick, it’s right up my street. I love your grandfather clock and I do believe that is an old bed warmer on the wall?
It is, Robbie. Thank you very much.
Your extended family is so fortunate!
Thanks very much, AnneMarie
I’ve done nothing about Christmas, other than the odd chat with folk. Somehow right now it’s not terribly important, what is more important of me overcoming FOGO including going places not been in for over 3.1/2 months in addition to lots of people milling around in enclosed spaces…I hadn’t realised how anxious I would get!
I’ve done the “stacked” trick before but currently my home has a lot of spare wall space…
Thank you very much, Catherine. I fully understand how you feel about Christmas
Yeah! the preparations are in full swing. I look forward to seeing your Christmas table 😀
Thank you so much, Rupali
So nice and reassuring to get back in to the swing. Make the most of these lovely family times 😍
Thank you so much, Val X
In my humble opinion, the wall cupboard looks quite elegant on top of the other cupboard. They seem to belong together.
That’s what we like to hear, Dolly. Thank you very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The food looks yummy!
The cupboards pair together well…they found a home with each other.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
I can almost feel the amazing smells of that delicious food 🍲
Thank you so much, Ribana.
It occurs to me that your guests will get to enjoy the recent renovations and that gorgeous floor! Curry for the holidays sounds wonderful, I might have to head to the kitchen.
You are right about the renovations, Crystal. Thank you very much