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This was a day of continual drizzle, so I scanned a batch of colour negatives from December 2003.
Most of the images, made on a frosty day in Sherwood Forest, were out of focus. These are the best of a bad job.
Jackie had more success with her stupendous sausage casserole, of which she made enough to freeze many more portions. This was served with creamy mashed potato and swede, orange carrots, and green beans. The Culinary Queen would, I know, appreciate my stating that this image, made after I had begun to eat, was not exactly how she presented it. She drank sparkling water and I drank San Andres Chilean Merlot.
Presumably Robin Hood had just nipped behind one of the trees, doing what comes naturally. Amazing pattern of bark.
Thanks a lot, Leslie. He was probably up the Major Oak
Really liked your photos
Thanks very much, Rachael
Nothing like being out of a drizzle and eating sausage casserole with mashed potatoes.
Quite, Mary. Thanks very much
This meal looks amazing
Many thanks, Lynn
most welcome
Wonderful photos Derrick. And let the Culinary Queen know, the meal is perfect. 🙂
Many thanks, Terry.
I agree with Lynz real cooking…Mouthwatering meal!
Many thanks, Sofia
That stupendous sausage casserole takes the cake.
🙂 Thanks, Bruce
When are you having us all over for dinner? 🙂
Whenever you fancy such a trek , walksandrambles
Not an offer to make lightly! I’m heading for a week of walking in Wales followed by another in the Lake District in the spring 🙂
Sherwood Forest? Robin Hood and band of merry men lurking near? I think the photos are moody and wonderful.
Many thanks, Leslie. We did once see an archer with all the gear in the forest. The children really thought he was Robin Hood.
Wouldn’t that have been a treat?! Unless of course he shot an arrow in your direction.
Even so, it looks pretty darned good as my Yankee husband would say.
Thanks a lot, Laurie. 🙂
The photos are wonderful–I love the bark and the frosty leaves.
I don’t eat sausage, but the meal looks great nonetheless. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. I was really quite disappointed at all the other out of focus negatives – only after scanning could I see the poor quality. Never mind – all part of a day’s record. 🙂
I enjoyed the photos, Derrick…but Jackie’s creation, well…that was probably delicious. 🙂
’twas, Jill. Thank you very much.
I had to look up squib, which I learned is a type of firework. I also looked up brickbat, which, oddly, is a piece of brick, used as a missile. I was sure it was part of the form for making bricks, but alas. Tonight, I had a nice dinner and as a result, admire yours without wishing Jackie was installed in my apartment…
Very many thanks, Lisa. I assume you also found the expression ‘a damp squib’, meaning something that doesn’t quite work as planned.
It’s funny there are expressions derived from words we never use and we know what the expression means, but not how it was coined. Damp squib is particularly charming and evocative when you know what a squib is.
I like your article, very inspiring and thank you for your post
Thank you, Rina
Yummy sausage casserole. ?
Yep. Thanks, Sylvia
Derrick, I must stop reading you just before bedtime because you invariably drive me to the refrigerator for a snack and that’s the last thing I should do before retiring for the night. I promise to show discipline tonight. The dinner looks delicious. What is ‘swede’?
Ah! Let me rudely jump in here – because I’ve lived in both places. Swede is rutabaga! Now you want trans-Atlantic confusion? Try corn flour, cornmeal and corn starch!
Thanks a lot, Steve. I see Bruce has replied to your question. 🙂
I had the same question about “swede”. – Thanks, Bruce, for the answer
Funny about taking the photo after beginning to eat. – Presentation matters!
🙂 Thanks, Jodie
My eyes think the platter is fascinating; perhaps I’m hungry. My belly certainly knows where to focus. Do you still shoot film, Derick?
I only abandoned film just after I started the blog nearly five years ago, Uma. Digital was the only way to acquire the necessary immediacy of a daily diary, Thanks a lot, especially for the ‘focus’ 🙂
Please ask Jackie to tell me how to make creamy mashed potato. Thanks 🙂
Lots of elbow grease and a very good masher, Lakshmi 🙂
:))
I have to say I got a chuckle at the Sherwood Forest pictures as all I could think of was Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, and the gang all hanging out there! Jackie’s meal looks wonderful – something like what my mother would make.
Many thanks, Lydia
Your out-of-focus is a keen view 🙂
Many thanks, Cynthia
Are the potatoes & swede mashed together? I do like to put swede in a casserole, I’ve never incorporated it with potatoes. I’d imagine the swede overpowers, the taste of the creamy mashed ‘tatoes.
They are, Brian. The swede is subservient. I suppose it depends on proportions. Thanks a lot.
The textures and grainy appearances in nature fascinate me. You mentioned the year and it took me back.
In 2003, I was struggling in my juggling teaching, waiting tables 3-4 nights weekly and pursuing my Master’s. It was funny since my woman pastor said (aptly) “You were barely treading water.” Marriage held on until 2006, 3 courses short, not offered in 2007. Master’s was “due” (silly younger Bush administration set education changes while I had a professional license) but this is past.
Moving into new life improved everything considerably. 🙂
You certainly had your hands full, Robin. Thanks very much
We all live to tell our tales, I suppose. It gives me comfort to know they stayed here and do a lot of extra things like fix my car or give me a meal “to go” when I’m too tired to eat. Oldest daughter and middle son and his wife. I love my youngest but she is still finding her way but never far from the rest of us. Family is something special we have as blessings, Derrick and Jackie.