I have been busy making a few more cards for the odd personage...not every one shares my humbug disposition after all...and there are a few folk with whom, if we did not share a social interaction at this time of year, we would probably not see from one years' end to the next. Small acquaintances they may be but not less valuable for that.
I find I have friends at all sorts of levels of connection and intimacy, and all are equally valuable...I can't afford to lose one single one, so a little effort on my part is certainly not too much to ask, in the scheme of things.
The lads picked our few raspberries, a handful of the remaining red currants, a few early black currants as well as our jostaberries, which have fruited very well again this year. I had enough over a couple of days to make into a delicious mixed berry conserve...quite different from the raspberry, but which will be extra good on a hot scone, come the cooler weather...(I hope).
The fruit mince has been made annually ever since...a firm favourite with us all. It is written up in my recipe file as "Edith's New Zealand Fruit Mince", Australians and New Zealanders feud constantly over the origin of the pavlova, but the fruit mince recipe simply escaped quietly under the radar without anyone noticing...(but I like to give it's antecedents...credit where credit is due...and this recipe is a corker!)
Thanks to Nick, Wyatt and Spencer for taking the time to write their cards and send me the drawings, I love to get them and put them on the fridge to admire for a time...
I am reading "The Pleasures of Leisure" at the moment, a most witty and interesting discourse by Robert Dessaix...I do so enjoy his writing and he is very relaxed and conversational in this book, appropriately enough. Who knows...working at understanding and being able to enjoy leisure time is something we all need to be better at, however little time we think we have. It might be just the very subject for me to think about, leisurely of course, for the New Year...
Bye,
Di