Better than a takeaway hopefully...

First of all I am starting with a lovely picture sent to me from Stephen Haughan - he had found the soup left on his windowsill and was enjoying it with one of his Knitted Nan's keeping him company before she and her sister go on their travels to Australia!!!  I was happy that the soup had been appreciated and as we had a series of long and unexpected power cuts it was good to know that Stephen had managed to get a hot meal inside of him.

During the night we had a lengthy 12 hour power cut but fortunately it was restored at 8.00am and remained on for us although not for Di and Rob who had several others during the day, not least one just as the Bobster was about to have a shower before coming up to us for a curry.  I was grateful that we didn't suffer in the same way because it would have completely buggered up my cooking plan.

I had made the curry yesterday and the onion bahjis so they would just need warming up which could be done on the gas burner we have if I had needed to which fortunately I didn't.  The bahjis are a resounding success thanks to the Curry Frenzy mix which Laura and Mark sent to us and the gram flour I managed to get in Polis the other week.

We had a bit of a move round with the furniture for our meal this evening.  The dining table is much better at this end of the room but because this is where the wood burner is located it can get a bit hot to eat so I suggested turning the table round 90 degrees and pushing the sofa up towards the TV which seemed to work pretty well and didn't look too bad either.

It was lovely to have Di and Rob up and I think they were able to walk home without getting soaked which was a bit of a bonus.  These occasions are meant to be casual and comfy so slippers are the order of the day.

This evening I tried a new curry mix from Curry Frenzy - it was a Malaysian mix which was more fragrant and slightly less spicy than some as people have different levels of tolerance with regard to chili!  We had the bahjis and dips and poppadoms first then the curry with pilau rice and home made naan breads and finished up with a selection of cheeses rather than a sweet.

A lovely lovely evening - we always have a laugh together and it is always a pleasure to cook for people who enjoy your food - fortunately though there is just about enough left for John and I to have tomorrow which we have earmarked as a day at home so that I can start my packing.

The cats enjoyed the evening too - we have a furry rug that we put in front of the wood burner and Chivers and Boris claimed it so that they could stay warm and be part of the proceedings!!

Finally I want to say a great big happy birthday to my godmother Janet who celebrates 85 years on this earth - she was born on the same day as Elvis so he too would have been 85 years young today had he lived to see it.

I managed to get hold of her on Skype which can prove a bit challenging although I did see half of her face and not just the ceiling as is sometimes the case.  In fact Jane answered the call so I got to have a chat with her first.  I have arranged that I will be spending the Monday I am in the UK with Janet - we are going to visit a garden centre and have tea and stickies and then go out for a meal in the evening with Jane and John.  Fortunately having a car I can do the driving because Janet is not currently driving after her recent eye operation.

I hope that she had a fabulous birthday with her friends and family around her and I will see her very soon.