Tag: carving

A Proper Carve Up

Today we lunched at Helen and Bill’s in company with Shelly and Ron. Before, during, and after the excellent meal we enjoyed convivial conversation and reminiscences.

Helen produced a fine starter of paté, biscuits, and grapes; a splendid main course of tender venison, crisp roast potatoes, carrots of varying colours, stringless runner beans, cranberry sauce, and thick, tasty, gravy. She finished with coffee before we retired to the sitting room.

Bill exercised both sommelier and carver duties in an impressive manner. Red, white, and rosé wines were imbibed. Christmas crackers were of good quality. Jackie is seen reading a joke.

One of my contributions to reminiscences was my story of ‘Fred’, which, when I returned home I found I had told on a previous similar occasion, and posted it in https://derrickjknight.com/2013/10/20/fred/

The upside down nature of the pineapple dessert reminded me of https://derrickjknight.com/2015/10/25/chocolate-surprise-pudding/ . I recounted this story, too.

Needless to say, we had no need of further sustenance this evening.

Mirrors

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. THOSE IN THE GROUP ACCESS A GALLERY THAT CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN THE PAGE AND CLICKING ON THE RELEVANT BOX.

Mirror and mantelpiece

Yesterday morning Jackie visited Molly’s Den where she bought a mirror for the wall above the fireplace. On the left of the mantelpiece stands the miniature mock Ordnance Survey Map that Becky made for us almost two years ago. Please ignore the fact that we have not redecorated since the fireplace was put in.

Carving on mirror 2
Carving on mirror 1
Carving on mirror 3

It seems a crime to obtain the bevelled glass and wonderfully hand-carved frame for £40, simply because such craftsmanship is now out of fashion. Observant readers may have observed the finial to the left hand vase. When these ornaments were in Jackie’s parents’ home her father had used plasticine to make good the break. She has made good the break with Blu-Tac.

Reflected drawings

The reflected images in the glass are of two family portraits. That on the viewer’s left has appeared before, on May 3rd 2014:

The other

is one of my proudest possessions. It was produced by Flo when she was about 8 and asked at school to draw something that made her happy. The placement of herself is quite brilliant. The drawing stayed on the wall for a year and was presented to me at the end of that time.

Magnolia Vulcan

In the garden the blooms of the Vulcan magnolia are now opening out;

Clematis Lidl blue

and the clematis Lidl blue, so named because it was an unnamed cheapie from that store,

Rose Penny Lane

and the rose Penny Lane, benefitting from one of the Rose Garden mirrors, climb up one side of the potting shed.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s luscious liver, bacon, and sausage casserole, with creamy mashed potato, crunchy carrots and green beans. Jackie drank Peroni, and I finished the Madiran.