February 2017

February has been a month of unexpected pleasures.

A surprise parcel from an old friend revealed a quantity of vintage bed linen (how well she knows me!) beautifully laundered. Two pillowcases were put to use straight away.

Vintage pillowcases

An article in Elle Decoration led to the purchase of a splendid new cookery book - Low & Slow by Louise Franc - full of gorgeous comfort food.

So we had an indulgent night - I made 'Roasted pumpkin risotto with browned butter, sage, orange & pine nuts' with a scattering of pancetta for Andrew.

Roasted pumpkin risotto

 He was in charge of dessert and went for the super decadent 'Dulche de leche & chocolate peanut butter pudding'.

Dulce de leche & chocolate peanut butter pudding

 It's a cook book I can certainly recommend.

We spent a weekend in my mother's loft, clearing and sorting. On the floor between the rafters was this roll of photographic images from the early 1960's.

There were some classic period shots - old cars and teddy boys at the beach. It's quite fragile but Andrew managed to recover a couple of photographs for me. My father who was an engineer at the time, larking about at work, he's the one grinning on top of the cone!

Larking about!

And one of me on the back of a motorbike with a now unknown friend. I still have the same chubby knees but not as camera phobic as I am now!

I'm hoping March brings similar treats.