Mummy at the School Gate

Recently, my ma (who is 87, donchaknow) decided to bake some scones.  Now, she’s been a pretty good cook all of her life and attention to detail and minutiae of all things cooked knows no bounds! We’d all rather eat with her, than schlepp down to that Michelin starred restaurant we have on our doorstep when summoned to join her for a nosh.   She’s that good. My dad was the master of triple cooked chips...before it became a ‘thing’. Summer BBQ’s always featured his skill...and his own take on Kentucky Fried Chicken made it impossible to not turn up!  Growing up, every Christmas Eve would find us in the kitchen, baking mince pies..at midnight!  It was our tradition. Obviously half of them would disappear into the ether as we tested them fit for consumption.  Christmas Eve would also find us decorating the house in the vibe of Santa’s grotto. The walls would be covered with silver foil, the ceiling festooned with paper chains. Every nook and cranny would be filled with glitter and glitz.

If you made a New Years resolution last year and kept to it, you really should give yourself a big pat on the back. If it was carving yourself some time, out of your busy life then it should’ve been easy, what we’ve all the time we’ve had, BUT, if you’re like me and procrastination is something you struggle with then you’ve only yourself to blame.  Because I’m no longer gainfully employed, I’ve spent the last year binge watching Netflix, TV series and anything that looks remotely interesting. I’ve spent a year where I’ve scoured the online shops for clothes I don’t need as I’ve nowhere to wear them. I’ve painted all of the rooms in the house and only stopped because I ran out of walls. I’ve cleaned cupboards, Kondo’ed the buggery, out of everyone’s wardrobes, baked bread and realised that I’ve been spending a fortune on cardboard. The things I’ve wanted to do, planned to do because I don’t have time ..I didn’t. Not anyone’s fault but mine. It’s not all been selfish and about me. I visi