Buying Raffle Prizes

Such a busy day! Romy back again. Her hairstyle is fabulous. After a bit of admin work, we decided to shop for the raffle prizes, so set forth for Fortnums's, where after much deliberation we settled on some old-fashioned sweets, some biscuits, cakes and teas, mostly in very nice tins, before setting off later for Marks & Spencer in Oxford Street. In between, we had a birthday lunch at the Criterion for Romy, which I hope she enjoyed, and I certainly did. We found masses more prizes at Marks, then totally overladen, fell into a cab to go home. Not having foreseen our shopping trip, I had worn a rather uncomfortable pair of shoes, so my feet were extremely painful at the end of the day.

There was a minor dramatic flurry when I could not find my keys, so and repaired to the Lye Torng, carting all the heavy bags, where I found the keys at the bottom of one of the Fortnum's bags. Had a quick Bailey's before a short stagger homewards.

With very little more to get, I hope this year's party will be a great success. Romy is going to order the wine and beer and bring it on the day. I am going to purchase some paper carrier bags at the local pound shop for the punters to carry the prizes home in.

Still Cold

I have missed Romy's birthday, but she sent me a snap with her new hairdo, which is very chic. Reluctantly back in the office after the Christmas break, I miss her, but she will be back soon.

Malvolio is letting me sleep until late, i.e. 7.30 which is a mixed blessing, in that I have less time to get up in the morning and would prefer not to have to rush but do like a longer sleep. Maybe I will go to bed earlier tonight.

A couple of trustees contacted me jostling for the position of Chairman. Not feeling entirely well, I left at the normal time but may get in rather late tomorrow.

It is still very cold outside, in fact I jumped in a cab to get home without walking around or waiting for a bus.

We are still rather worried about Roxy, who hasn't replied to our texts. We decided to leave things for a day or two as she may have relatives to contend with.

Bloody Cold Outside

Another Spanish cat.

Andrew put my Shane Hampsheir music on his system, so I shall give him a couple more today since the music is so awful at the Lye Torng. I am not sure about Dr Dre, but may take the Bees, Amadou & Mariam, The Kinks, Blur and Isaac Hayes hot buttered soul. We shall see.

Ordered Nibby a card from Moonpig which will arrive a bit early for her birthday. Also ascertained that I shall be able to attend the Pitmen Painters on 30 January without the ticket which I have lost. It seems this is OK so long as I get there early. Fortunately it has transferred from the Cottesloe to the Lyttleton so I shall sit in comfort.

Now I have had a good lunch (chicken Penang curry)and Lye Torng have taped my CDs, apart from Dr. Dre. They have wiped poor Shane because it wasn't up-tempo enough! So I shan't bother with taking along Bing Crosby etc.

I have purchased two further cashmere jumpers: one in pale grey and one in a beige/brown mixture. They really are nice and warm. It is still vile and freezing outside and was snowing for a short while, but not enough to settle and look picturesque.

Snap of Chocolate - and Guava Squares

The chocolate drink stuff. You need one of the sticks of which three are shown here. Heat a small mug of milk in a pan, add the chocolate and stir a lot unless you have a special chocolate maker. It has cinnamon and clover added for some strange reason. Very nice drink though. The guava squares (on the right, wrapped in banana leaves) are totally delicious, if very sweet.

Winter Warmer

I purchased some solid chocolate flavoured with cinnamon from the Latino place in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre. You break a piece off and heat some milk and stir it into the milk and it really makes a delicious cup of chocolate. I also bought some of the guava squares wrapped in dried palm leaves. I had forgotten how good they are.

I brought up my ancient Belling 'Queen Anne' fire as the weather is so very cold. It certainly belches out plenty of heat. Disposing of the living room door was maybe not such a good idea. Maybe I should get a warm velvet door curtain. We shall see.

Wore my Land's End cashmere sweater for the first time the other day. The colour is called 'blackberry' which is a blueish purple and goes quite well with navy. It certainly is very warm.

Friday

Julian's wonderful new Yves Saint Laurent boots.

Spoke to my friend Kathy who has been in touch with Evon. Rang Evon who has suggested meeting up soon and will contact me when she has arranged something with Kathy. Had an email from my little drummer friend Stephen who may want to come and stay when he is over in England for a while.

I am still faced with the tree problem. I have taken the decorations down, but the tree is looming large in my little room. I may start with some secateurs and attack the lower branches tomorrow.

Malvolio is still refusing to go out through the cat flap, so I let him out of the door and closed it, forcing him to come in through the cat flap. I do hope he will re-learn how to use it again.

Julian and Dorothy turned up to remove my tree and tidy away the decorations which was extremely helpful. They were very pleased with Madeleine's presents, and I took a small truffle from Dorothy's Artisan Chocolates which was totally delicious.

New Year's Day

A very quiet day. Madeleine turned up with a wonderful present - a food sizzler - for me. I shall become proficient in stir-fried food soon, and be able to present wonderful sizzling dishes, once I discover how to make them.

Madeleine brought some superb pink champagne and we enjoyed this with home-made bread and cheese, smoked salmon and salad and a hot dish from Marks & Spencer tasting rather like Kentucky fried chicken. Unfortunately Dorothy and Julian were rather jaded and therefore unable to join us.

Tomorrow I shall attack the tree and remove the decorations before seeing what I can do to try and dispose of it.

I have ordered a fake 6' tree covered in 'snow' from DZD for next year which will make my life easier as I shall not have to decorate it. May add some lights, though. For an authentic pine smell I shall hang a branch or wreath elsewhere in the room.