Glad I did not have Paul Hollywood looking at my baking last night. I had put my Christmas cake in the oven, sat down and started to do other things and totally forgot about it. Shriek shriek. Got it out and clear to me that that Ole Blue eyes would take one look and say 'overbaked' and it was. So left it overnight to cool and took a look at it this morning. Decided to slice top off which I did and got rid of the over cooked bit and the rest is rather delish as I tasted a sliver. So am making another one for family but keeping this one in my cake tin. It is not being chucked out as it is packed with glace fruits, a la Delia's light Christmas cake and those are expensive to buy.
So have just spent half an hour chopping up more crystallised ginger, oranges, lemons, cherries, angelica, pineapple and apricots and sloshed another glass of brandy over it. Will bake tonight and this time will make sure I keep an eye on it. Mem: must get kitchen timer.....
A quiet week otherwise and restful after looking after grandchildren last week but have to say that I have come back feeling pretty energised and not tired at all. I think I must be getting used to it all and my body is adjusting. Thank heavens for that say I but still glad to have a few days to myself to catch up on correspondence, having a sort out etc and just chilling and catching up on TV I recorded while away. I have discovered that if I have forgotten to set anything up I can do it remotely through Sky on my ipad. The wonders of science.
Nothing planned for today save to take my friend Rosemary for a hospital appointment. Then a cuppa in Waitrose while she does a bit of shopping and then home and sit down for Strictly which is now at an interesting stage. Judy Murray should really go tonight but she has proved to be so popular that she is garnering loads of votes each week. She has a terrific sense of humour and takes all the flack the judges throw at her with good nature and a laugh. I shall be surprised if she gets through tonight though. This is the annual Strictly trek to Blackpool and I have to say the ballroom there is simply sumptuous and huge and seems to bring out the best in all the dancers. The fact that we have to put up with donkey, ice cream and fish and chip jokes is just about bearable but they do it every year and it does get wearing.
Zoe Ball is still filling in for Claudia whose daughter is in hospital having been quite badly burned on Halloween. We all hope her daughter continues to get better and she will be back soon. Zoe does a great job and, as with Claudia, eclipses Tess with her naturalness and wit both of which Tess lacks alarmingly. The combo of Zoe and Claudia would be brilliant.
On the reading front I have been wallowing in crime, as per, and am working my way through Peter Lovesey at the moment. I will soon have read all the Diamond books and will then start on the others and there are plenty to keep me going. I am also trolling through my reads of this year and choosing my books of 2014. I note the number I have read this year is down by about fifty on 2013, this coincides with extra time with grandchildren I think! I always take a book with me to London and I always return with it unopened and unread as reading time is not usually available when Florence and Beatrice are around.
That is it for now, will write more soon and will highlight some books I have received and will be reading over the next few weeks. I hope.
