Let Them Eat Cake

 

I had a sort out day yesterday.  I was determined to excavate the freezer, and it was just as well I did - a plastic container of chicken curry from 2021?  That was out the door onto the compost heap, along with some partly-used not-proper-food tofu pretend-chicken-in-breadcrumbs type meals that Emma had bought, so those were over a year old at least.  Not my sort of grub.  Anyway, in the sorting out I came across some grated carrot I had made up when I bought a big bag of carrots and they needed using before they had to be chucked.  So, grated to go in meals or in cakes. This called for a Carrot Cake - one with Honey Drizzle, recipe courtesy of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's book River Cottage Everyday.  I'm going to see my friend Pam today, and I always take them a cake as Pam doesn't bake.  Then it's Patchwork class.

The sorting out continued in the Utility room and I hoiked all the detritis out from the corner so I could get into what is the airing cupboard, but is full of camping stuff and odds and sods.  I needed to find my dehydrator, and did, along with the two books on dehydrating.  I found it, and there was a stack of old recipes and a floor plan of Ynyswen.  No good to me any more, but it has stayed for the moment, for memory's sake.  Then it all went back, minus a few things from the cupboard which can go to the charity shop.  The top shelf is stuffed with sleeping bags from our camping days.  Tam and I will decide their fate when she comes over next.  Dehydrator now all washed and ready to use.

I did get a shock though, going through the cupboard when I found an old well-worn Polo shirt of Keith's, which I had put there to be a polishing rag.  As I pulled it out, I burst into tears.  SO many memories of him wearing that - 100s of times.  He liked his polo shirts.  I was going to chuck it, but couldn't quite bring myself to.  Gabby said keep it for the moment, so it has gone in the wash.  

The opposite end of my stall at the weekend.  I would have thought that the painting of the dog would have sold straight away, it's so well painted, and an ancient note on the back states it is believed to be by Landseer's daughter.  A very talented artist, whoever it was.  On the windowsill you can just see the end of my spare fruit bowl.  I have two - and the other is a lovely riveted copper Art & Crafts bowl which is staying.  This wooden one is made of Jackfruit wood and has a lovely patina.  Below - I found a photo of the windowsill I took.  You can see it properly here. It didn't sell so is now back on the dairy table in the kitchen until the next Fair.  I wish the lovely galloping horse coat rack would sell as the mane and tail catch in my clothing every time I manhandle it. The French ship's light is one of two that went in the tall cupboard in the utility "out of the way" and forgotten about.  It's gone back there now!

I was so fed up of having a dressing on my finger by yesterday, but the edges of the cut were lifting and I was wary of catching them on something and ripping it open again.  I got some scissors and trimmed the edge, and then it lifted more and I gently got the whole top layer of skin off as new skin had formed beneath it.  Now I am dressing free but will be careful not to knock it as the new skin still a bit soft and vulnerable.  I was able to have a bath without wearing a washing up glove last night.  Triumph!

Anyway, 7.30 a.m. now so time for some breakfast.  Have a good day.