Monday, January 7, 2019

White Stuff, Saturday Dinner, Computers, 12th Night,

Much to my surprise, Wednesday night, just before I went to bed, I looked out of the window and discovered everywhere was covered in snow. The park was white and so were the roads. Even by 8 in the morning the roads were still white. Not enough traffic to help get rid of the snow. We had toyed with the idea of going to the bowling alley but not sure now with the roads like that. I don't know if either of us can bowl of course, just have to try it out. Maybe we will leave it til Monday. In the end we didn't go to the bowling alley as they said it was very busy and full of kids. Apparently they go back to school on Monday, so we will try then. I'm not sure if either of us can bowl - Matt doesn't walk too well and I have leg problems because of Peripheral Arterial Disease, so we may have to leave it for a while yet.

Been very tired lately anyway. I am even falling asleep during Jeopardy, and that is very serious. It is, after all, my favourite programme.

Before I went into hospital I bought a top sirloin roast. I don't remember doing so you understand, but I found it there when I came home. Saturday I finally got round to cooking it. I checked online and
found I could dry roast it so that's what I did. I poked garlic into the meat and followed the directions online. The timing was a little bit too long so the meat was more cooked than we normally prefer. However, it was delicious. Not only that, I made the best gravy I have made in a while, either that or it tasted good because I haven't made it in quite a long time. I was very pleased with the top sirloin and will certainly buy it again when I see it on sale. I bought frozen Yorkshire Puddings which is the lazy way out but they are pretty good.

I still haven't got my desktop fixed and so it took me forever to get that picture put in place. This wandering cursor business is a real pain. I should get him to check that out too - dunno if he can do anything, I have tried everything they say to do on the net. So, once again, posting a recipe is almost impossible. I am hoping my computer guy will be back this weekend and not spending a long time in his home country. Fingers crossed. At least having this laptop is some consolation, but all my more important stuff is on the desktop - financial, addresses/phone numbers, etc.

Today is January 6, or 12th Night which means traditionally we can take down the Christmas decorations. As we didn't put much out, it won't take us long. I recently learned, from a TV programme, that in the early days of Queen Victoria's reign, we actually did celebrate for 12 days and bakers made 12 day cakes which were absolutely huge. Maybe the origin of the Christmas Cake? I decided to link you to Mary Berry's 12th Night Cake.



Have a great day
 

24 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - good to see you posting ... take care. I can believe the snow is a troublesome covering - but hope you'll be able to get back to bowling soon. I saw a programme on food through the eras - fascinating how it all evolved ... especially as trade expanded and the new ingredients were incorporated into new ideas and thus recipes through the centuries.

    Good to see you - take care and here's to an easier time ahead - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary. I like to see the snow, but don't want to drive in it. I bet that was a fascinating programme. I remember a similar situation with the WWII years and after.

      Hope you have a good New Year.

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  2. We only had less that one-half inch of snow in December. None this month yet. I am not complaining.
    12 days of Christmas. When I was growing up we celebrated the 12th day with a gift exchange of one gift, kinda in keeping with the Italian tradition. (Even though as it turns out from my DNA we are not really Italian, lol)
    Please tell me the brand name of the Yorkshire puddings. I looked online but could not find anyone who makes them in the states.

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    1. We have had a few falls this winter, none of which lasted very long. 12 Night has always been the day we took down our decorations. No gifts though.

      Sorry, the Yorkshire puddings are a President's Choice product which is part of Loblaw's grocery chain and I think they are purely Canadian.

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    2. Next time I'm in Windsor I'll have to go grocery shopping.

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    3. Sure. You need a Zehrs grocery store Denise.

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  3. Is that your first snow?
    Hope your computer guy is back this week.
    My parents don't take down the decorations until after January fifth either.

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    1. Nope Alex, we have had several falls, none of them very deep though. We actually had a white Christmas. Computer guy back on Wednesday, said he could come Thursday or Friday. It's funny how traditions change. Mind you in this part of the world, decorations are put up so early. Makes them around a long time if you wait til 12th night.

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  4. We haven't had any snow for a month or so now, keeping fingers crossed. So far, Ohio winter has been gentle to us, breaking us in easily. Hope it lasts! That roast looks wonderful! Hope you and Matt were able to throw a ball or two today!

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    1. We have mixed weather today Lisa, with freezing rain predominant. Matt refused to go out so, no bowling today. The roast was delicious - leftovers tonight.

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  5. Snow!

    My mouse gets fussy sometimes and the cursor behaves erratically, which drives me nuts.

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    1. Yup, not something you see very often Diane. It would drive you nuts, I am climbing the wall lately. Can't wait til the end of the week when the computer guy will be back.

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  6. I'm wishing for a little snow rather than the cold rain we've been having. Hope you get to bowl soon.

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    1. Yeah, I'd rather have snow than rain at this time of year Susan. One afternoon this week I hope.

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  7. Despite being raised Catholic we didn't observe first night. The decorations would still be up but not because of that. I wasn't allowed to do the tree till mid Dec so it was left up till mid Jan. These days I put it up after Thanksgiving and get it down by New Years.

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    1. Most Americans seem to decorate just after Thanksgiving JoJo. I used to at least wait til December. Not sure much will be done in future years.

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  8. Love that you made the best gravy. That's good stuff. No real winter here so far this year. Some, but not much. Love, love, love Mary Berry. I am a long-time fan of hers. Have you ever seen her life story? Very good. She's amazing. Truly.

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    1. Yes, missed it on the final leftovers Ivy. No never seen her life story but she seems an incredible woman. Love Hollywood too. Seems like a fantastic pastry maker.

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    2. Oh Hollywood is amazing. I've been watching BAKE OFF! Since WAY in the beginning when the original clan was together and the show was really BAKE OFF! Not the stuff you guys are seeing today. But yes, both are excellent and have changed my baking for the best.

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    3. I always enjoy the competitions though Ivy, I am staggered ordinary people can do so many things.

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    4. They are fun to watch. BAKE OFF though for me, forever changed my baking. I'm thankful they had the original cast of Mel, Sue, Mary and Paul. I've watched many countries and their attempts at the show, but the original UK one is BY FAR, the best I've seen to date.

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  9. We take down our decorations on January 6, too. They've been up for over a month by then so that's long enough.
    I haven't made Yorkshire puddings for years - and we don't have frozen ones here so not likely to either. Not sure why since they are delicious. You may have inspired me.

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    1. I'm always sorry to see them go though, Helen. Place seems so bare.

      Beef without Yorkshire puds, can't imagine it even if I do buy them frozen. Maybe if I get some more beef I will get adventurous and make my own again.

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  10. One day I will buy an actual computer-probably a laptop but it is a pain when one doesn't have one. I post at work (shhhh) when I place pictures on my blog. Will check out Mary Berry's cake...looks yummy

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