Orange and Green

After a lovely two days of food, family and more food and family, I was good today and got up early to do my school work. I wrote a list with estimated times last night and set it all out in neat piles, so was ready to go at eight. I got a lot done and was finished by about two. I now feel organised for next term which is always a good thing! I cleared the table and then started to clear up, wash up and do washing. I sorted through the many clementines and only found a couple on the turn. I am trying to eat at least four a day as they are delicious and we have so many! (Two for one offers and both Andy and I panic buying them at the last minute) Instead of trying to fit them all into the too small bowl I tried the idea I read about somewhere yesterday and made a fruit heart instead. They looked very jolly on the green table.

 After a very late bath, I remembered I had meant to cook bubble and squeak from the leftover Christmas dinner vegetables. I mashed some up, seasoned, and made this vegetable shape. There were boiled potatoes, sprouts and carrots. When it was nearly done I added an egg to the pan to fry. I also had some slices of cold ham. A tasty combination.

 The only person who has ever made me bubble and squeak is my Nan. This is my Mum's Mum Lena, and we called her Nana. My Dad's Mum Margery, we called Granmum. I have no idea why these names developed, whether they chose them themselves or my parents did. I will have to ask. So as I cooked it I thought of Nana. It seems so long since she died but I have such a lot of memories of her. She looked after us every summer and we spent a lot of time then with my cousins and Aunt Vera too. Nana was from a big family and all the Aunts and Uncles were fun like she was, and full of interesting tales.

 I am not sure which baby she is holding here. It could be my Mum.

 The other food that always makes me think of her is Christmas pudding, as she always made ours. Making two for us each year. They were the best puddings and no shop bought one is ever as good. I did make my own for a few years after she died but have since stopped due to lack of time I think. Maybe I will make one again for next year.

I am the only person in my family who likes Christmas pudding much, and usually can fit some in on the day itself. This year I couldn't! I had some tonight though, with brandy butter. Cream is ok but somehow brandy butter is best. Another thing I always used to make and now don't. For shop bought things they were pretty good though. The pudding was really nutty and the brandy butter just brandyish enough. A little bit each day should finish it off by new year!