What's been happening
Book Group
This month, the book group read The Bee Sting. The monthly discussion didn;t happen though throughjone reason and another. It[s a shame, as I really wanted to discuss this one!
THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING NOVEL FROM ONE OF OUR GREATEST LIVING COMEDIC WRITERS
'A tragicomic triumph. You won't read a sadder, truer, funnier novel this year' Guardian
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The Barnes family are in trouble.
Until recently they ran the biggest business in town, now they’re teetering on the brink of bankruptcy – and that’s just the start of their problems. Dickie and Imelda’s marriage is hanging by a thread; straight-A student Cass is careening off the rails; PJ is hopelessly in debt to the school bully.
Meanwhile the ghosts of old mistakes are rising out of the past to meet them, but everyone’s too wrapped up in the present to see the danger looming . . .
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It's sad, and funny, and rather gripping. Bit of a doorstop at 656 pages. The narrative follows different family members in each chapter. Each family member is wrapped up in their particular difficulties, blind to the others, and we see different parts of why they are who they are as the book progresses. I don't want to tell any spoilers in case you want to read it. I do recommend it as I loved it, but many other book group members didn't even finish it
Beacon Down Vineyard and Christmas Stalls
At the general u3a meeting last week, we had Beacon Down Vineyard come to speak to us. He, the owner, was such a good speaker, spoke fluently, with no notes and I felt like he could have kept going for hours.
At the meeting, we also had some Christmas stalls. It was lovely browsing amongst all the goodies, seeing what people had to offer. Next month, we are having a Christmas party, with entertainment, singing (from the choir I'm in, so I shall be wearing two hats that day) a quiz and other delights. Should be a fun afternoon!
Cookalong
At Cookalong this month, our theme was soup. We all brought different soups and tried each one. As is the case every month, I tried some delicious recipes and will be making some of them myself.
The recipes included carrot & ginger soup; a very unusual lemon soup, which was delicious; watercress and orange soup; Thai pumpkin soup; sweet potato and chorizo
All delicious and I shall be making most of them myself at a later date !
A reminder of the main 2 Christmas meal plans
A Vegetarian Christmas Meal Plan
I think the days of me hosting Christmas are probably over now and my younger daughter has taken over the mantle for various reasons.
However, I do enjoy making lovely seasonal food, at any time of year, but this month especially
This meal plan is for a couple for the whole of Christmas week, incorporating lots of seasonal flavours, but no meat
A Christmas Week
If you are on a tight budget, Christmas food can be very difficult, causing stress, and maybe even debt too. No need to get into debt, when with a bit of extra planning, you can enjoy a delicious festive meal, without spending a fortune. If you don’t know where to start, or would like a few ideas, have a look at this detailed, 2 person, 7 day Christmas dinner menu for the entire Christmas week.
The last few November recipes for this year, then we're on to December ones!
Spinach Dumplings
I tried these spinach dumplings several years ago as my brother is coeliac and these, if you use the gram flour option, are gluten free. They are easy to make, freeze well and taste delicious.
This recipe serves 4 adults. Great for kids as it’s easy to portion, they can just have fewer dumplings, and for the veg phobic kids, they don’t even taste of spinach!
Kounoupithi Yiahni or Tomato Stewed Cauliflower. A traditional Greek food
Having recently been on holiday several years ago, and enjoying the local food, I was keen to explore some traditional Greek food recipes when I got back. A reader, Vera George, who is Greek, offered some of her recipes, and this is one of hers. Kounoupithi Yiahni by the way is pronounced koh noh PEEthi yakni
Egg, Lentil, Raisin, Puy & Curry Sandwich
It sounds a very odd combination, (well it did to me anyway, much as I use lentils, in a sandwich?) a boiled egg, a handful of lentils, mayo to moisten and raisins to sweeten, but it is a sandwich that I have had several times now and one I really look forward to when I have planned it in for my lunch and I do urge you to try it. It makes a substantial sandwich, that really fills me up and tastes really lovely.
That's it for now, have a great week and I'll see you soon!
Do come and say hello on the Fantastically Frugal Food Facebook group, or the Sensational Slimming Sustenance group. I'd love to see you. Lots of useful tips, recipes and ideas. The nearly 19,000 membership are brilliant, brimming with talent.
And don't forget Thrifty Lesley, where there are 800+ recipes of fantastically frugal food and many weekly meal plans. And Cheap Family Recipes where you can find all kinds of delicious things that don't cost much, with two family monthly meal plans.
With all best wishes, until next time
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