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Hi Dea
xxx <3

The others have taken MJ to Stanley Park, where there is a miniature children's train ....... another new experience for MJ :-D :-D


My back is a bit off, so I decided to stay home.



MJ is just beginning to take to OH .................. he's has been quite anti-grandpa so far. Would rather play with me ........................ so I am hoping the fact that I did not go with them yesterday and then again today will increase grandpa's approval rating :-)




s
xx

C


do hope OH doesn't launch himself into space while playing with his toys :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

we went out for a lovely meal last night ....... to our special, very expensive restaurant.


They came up trumps once again!!

One lactose-intolerant and 1 gluten-intolerant well catered for ................... and 2 males who declared themselves "normal"!

They gave J 3 little cup-cake shaped corn breads, with chives in the mix. One of the breads served on the "big" plate was a rye bread with no lactose that I could eat. Then some really good advice on what we could eat from the menu.

And finally capped it off with the server coming with 2 specially written lists of what J and I could have for dessert ................ including some items that were NOT on the menu.


J&M gave us a present as soon as we arrived, and said the dinner was a combination of "thank you" for their time here, and an early anniversary dinner ................. so the wine sommelier (who we know) said "Oh, is your anniversary? hmmmm".

Meanwhile the maitre d', the hostess, and the owner are saying "but it isn't your anniversary yet, is it?"


They waited until the end of the meal, I declined a dessert, but OH had one ........

..... so his came with additions ............ a marzipan "banner" saying Happy Anniversary, and a lit birthday cake-type candle. And I got a little plate with beautifully set out fruit on it ................. half-a-dozen or so blueberries, some red currants, a couple of strawberries, some raspberries, and a tayberry.


Then they said .............

..................."we'll see you for your real anniversary in 3 weeks"! :-D



I had Pacific scallops with bacon dressing, samphrey (aka sea lettuce), fennel, and a couple of small potatoes. The scallops were the largest I think I have ever seen ...........3 were ample!

OH had duck breast ............ and they now bring him the smallest portion they can.

J had white pink salmon ..... a variant that is recently appearing in the fish markets and restaurants.

and M had beef sirloin.


J's starter was cold English Pea Soup, with a dollop of crab meat floating on a a small piece of melba-type bread. She said it was excellent!


An excellent meal.





OH paid for the cabs both ways, and for the babysitter ................ she looked after MJ when they were here 2 years ago, and J managed to get in contact with her again. She was delighted to do the job, although she no longer babysits ............................ she's just finished her 2nd year at university!

and as a result .................. she charged $20 (or ca £17) an hour or part thereof!

That might well be the going rate for an older babysitter here.


Again ........ she was excellent with MJ, just as she was 2 years ago. Both times, he took to her right away.



s
xxx

Hi Sylvs !!!

Glad you are feeling warmer !!

Dea xxx

Hi all
xxx



SUNNY ......... and getting warmer!!!



s
xx

I hope he does too Cynths !!!

Dea Xxx

You took yer time moving off Gins.............never mind, I've wiped it all down now.


Barefaced cheek!



To say Gins was 'glowing' Margee, was a very polite way of putting it! Her hot flushes just give the game away. :-D





So pleased with the new bedroom - it looks lovely. Just hope OH finds it comfortable...... :-S

No - sadly I do not Ginns !!!

Dea Xxx

Aww....you dont live in Ecclesall :-(

I have tried it from my local bakers Ginns and I have to say that Morrisons is FAR BETTER !!!

Dea Xxx

You need to know where to buy bread


Local....cooked fresh and made on site


The supermarkets have it brought in 'dough' form and then cook on site

P.S. - I also have shares in Tesco's so I am NOT biased !!!

Dea Xxx

Is you talking Italian Ginns - I was 'on the Spanish' !! - However - 'we' understand both languages as they are very much the same !! ;-) :-D

About that bread - It is a bloomer loaf from Morrisons and I do have to say that it is VERY VERY good !!!

I aldo declare that I do have shares in Morrisons but that does not affect my judgement !!!!! (I did buy one from Tesco's recently as 'I was there' but I threw it away because it was nowhere near as nice !!!

Dea Xxx

Brillante <3


The bread is fantástico

Just done a quick gluten free lemon meringue pie for Sylvs !! - she can join us in the salad if she wishes !!!

Dea Xxx

The cheese IS mild and the balsamic is REALLY old and authentically Spanish from Modena !!!!! -I brought it home myself - Only the best !!!!!!!!!!!

Dea Xxx

Warmed goats cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing....so long as the cheese is mild and the balsamic is really old

;-)


Thank you Dea <3

Had the strawberries left over from yesterday as grand-daughter couldn't eat them as the has a very wobbly tooth and you have to bite them !! :-( :-(

Who would be a 7 year old ??? :-D

Dea Xxx

I dread to think what 'pointy thing' is that Ginns AND - who was 'wielding' it ???

If we are all calm now, I can offer you all a nice cooling salad tea topped with a choice of :

warmed goats cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing

Chopped chicken tikka and indian dressing

Quiche Lorraine or Asparagus and mushroom quiche......

Spinach with raisins and pine nuts (without the salad)...

all served with wedges of beautiful home made bread and fresh butter.

It is too hot to eat anything more substantial !!!


OOOpps - an afterthought - I will just throw together a little fresh strawberry cheesecake !!!

Anything else, you will have to bring yourselves !!

Dea xxx