Wednesday, 23 January 2013

O Joy !


You might ask what’s changed since yesterday : weatherwise it’s all the same. In fact we’ve had more snow today and the going is getting tougher. 

But, and it’s a major BUT,  there’s been contact with the outside world. The postman called for the first time since last Thursday, bringing me some of the books I ordered last week. He struggled up the 200 metres of the drive on foot (we’ve never actually measured it, but 200 m seems to be the consensus in this house). The podiatrist came too. we spent more time chatting about weather conditions than anything else. She visits many houses in this very rural area and tells a tale or two about the average English person’s fascination with all things weather related. It seems I am an apt pupil.

Comfort food brought pleasure too, mashed potatoes with Cumberland sausages and frozen peas. An excellent lunch, quick and easy to prepare, with enough zing in the sausages to tickle the tastebuds.
The groceries were delivered, which is a major worry off my mind; we were down to the last three portions of Millie’s food, not a comfortable thought.
The lady driver helped us transport the delivery to the house from the road. She too didn’t want to risk the drive but very kindly took hold of a large and heavy plastic box and pulled it up by means of stout string Beloved had tied round the rim.
I was pushing the wheelbarrow and Beloved carried plastic bags filled with lighter stuff.

A lot of dissatisfaction with the status quo - any status quo - for me derives from lack of control over daily life. Frustration overwhelms me and suddenly it feels like the world is 'ganging up on me’. Not a rational reaction at all, I know.

Beloved was becoming quite depressed himself when he saw me turning listless so we had a rummage in the wine racks and he came up with two very elderly bottles, the remnants of a once proud collection. There are other single examples of the noble vintner’s art left from years gone by, but these two will do to begin with. A Chateau des Graviers, cru artisan Margaux from 1999 and a Hering Gewuerztraminer grand cru Kirchberg de Barr from 2002. Both bottles are covered in dust and cobwebs. When we bought them and their fellows they probably cost only half of what they would go for now. We kept them for a special occasion and more or less forgot about them. I am very glad the weather turned me into a moaning minnie.

What I need now is for the snow to settle in for the duration, or at least for as long as there are bottles remaining which need urgent attention. Cheers!







47 comments:

  1. oh my..now you have me lusting for sausage and peas and of course, mashed potatoes...
    comfort indeed

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  2. Cumberland sausages. Are those pork? I love fat traditional English pork sausages. Pan fried till they burst, with gently sautéed shitake or king mushrooms and lots of well caramelised onions. Oh, and runny eggs and a thick slice of buttered sourdough bread on side. God Friko! Now look what you've done.

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  3. Hello:
    Alas, at such moments we do not think that we should be able to muster such very fine wines! Indeed, here we consider anything over 1000-Ft. to be extremely expensive. Make a mental note to refuse the wine if you come to visit!!

    We are so pleased to know that you are feeling more cheerful about everything. It is always darkest before the dawn, or something like that.

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  4. Oh those sausages. And the wine. You paint a wonderful word picture of your triumphant progress up the snowy driveway with the makeshift wheelbarrow/sleigh. Hope things get better. Every Blessing Freda from Dalamory (www.freda.org.uk)

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  5. well now this seems just the occassion...and dinner sounds scrumptious...i am glad you got your books and groceries...its like relief supplies...smiles....snow will be here tomorrow night...

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  6. Oh yes, mustn't let those lovely bottles go unsupervised. I think you should check on the contents frequently.

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  7. Sounds like quite a good day all round. Sometimes we only see the postman and each other - the joys of living out in the sticks. Friko so glad you managed to get all your supplies and the wine also sounds very amiable to pass a snowy winter's evening - enjoy :)

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  8. So glad you've had contact with the outside world. With wine, books and comfort food you can settle down and enjoy winter. (okay, endure winter)

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  9. I am so glad that the world managed to get to you....especially with dog supplies running low. I suspect that ours would eat us if not well provided for...

    And what a good opportunity to rummage in the cellar!
    Good books, good food, good wine and the best of company...you must be feeling better!

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  10. Hallo Friko,
    freut mich, dass Dir der Postbote "Die deutsche Seele" zugestellt hat. Eines der besten Bücher, die ich zuletzt gelesen habe. Alleine die Idee finde ich klasse, Begriffe zu nehmen, die typisch deutsch sind und dann Querbeet über Literatur, Philosophie, Zeitgeschehen usw. alles dazu zu recherchieren, was es dazu gibt. Intellektuell ist das Buch auf einem sehr hohen Niveau.

    Gruß Dieter

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  11. Yes, the wine cellar is always a good spot in which to search for defenses against cabin fever.

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  12. Glad you are now fortified in every way against all the weather can throw at you, Friko. DH and I never save wine for special occasions nowadays, but enjoy it at random.

    PS We like wholegrain mustard in our mashed potatoes with sausages. It adds that extra zing.

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  13. Margaux! Wow! Hope you've plenty more sausages in the freezer — snow again on Friday.

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  14. Wine is the best of salves at such times. I so empathize with being trapped by snow, as I think you know by now. Blessings on the head of the delivery people, not to mention the podiatrist!

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  15. Books and wine. Settle in with a blanket and put your feet up. Ahhh!

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  16. I too feel to easily ganged-up on by life's little details and tasks. I always buy kitty food new, once I open the previous bag (6 weeks supply, month?). . . .I I I,
    sounds like a Mexican song....glad to visit here for the quality distraction and feeling of being understood by kindred spirit. "They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm."
    Dorothy Parker partly our problem?

    Happy Aloha to YOU
    from Honolulu,
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° >
    > < } } ( ° >

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  17. Wonderful to see your blog headed "O Joy!" So wonderful, in fact, that I didn't much mind what had happened to make you feel better. The fact that you're out of your slump is good enough for me.
    Oh, but Millie's food is very important. I'm glad that arrived.
    However, our Lindy loves frozen peas. I just take out a handful and let them thaw in a bowl, but Dick cooks them for her. This way she has variety, sometimes raw peas, sometimes cooked. (I'm sure Millie would have been happy sharing your lunch.)
    Luv, K

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  18. I'd say that things really did begin to look up for you today. I can understand why. New books, food, visits, and some bottles of great wine. Isn't funny how we save such things as good wine for a "special occasion" without realizing that today was that day that called for breaking out the good stuff!

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  19. Comfort food and wine - the effects of the combination of these two great items are WAY higher than just the sum of the two of them and should not be underestimated!!

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  20. Ha ha. Glad you and hubby found a reason to be happy today. If that wine is not sour and is to your taste I'm sure that it will cheer you both up - Dave

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  21. ja met een goede fles wijn zal het allemaal wel lukken,

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  22. Having my groceries delivered to the door would be a dream come true for me! Since I do all my shopping on foot (not having a license, let alone a car) and Aldi isn't far, I never can bring in much in one go. When it's just me on my own, I don't need much, but when RJ is here for the weekend or several days in a row, I need about four times as much. I sometimes enlist his help then and we do the groceries shopping by car.

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  23. Hi Friko - I can imagine your relief all round - deliveries, wonderful books, Millie's food and 'excitement' - an Englishman being forever resourceful ... old string and a good heave and that wheelbarrow .... love it - and can imagine it ... I've lived in houses with long driveways - but not that long!!

    Once I'd weaned my uncle onto having his groceries delivered .. he looked forward to their arrival with baited breath .. as he'd no idea what I'd ordered ... and he had not idea what he needed - we managed and I was over there very regularly .. but it saved that big shop ... and then when he did get to the shops he could do the basics ... doctor, prescription, small items ... and he got to see different people ...

    You've reminded me of a story I'll put into my last and next post on the Winter of 1962/63 and weather stories ...

    Love reading your posts ... cheers Hilary

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  24. Now that is a fabulous way to wait out a snow storm!! Wine and a warm fire! Sounds delightful. I added the warm fire...just felt that was needed too!
    Be well!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  25. It's so hard to imagine you being locked in due to a tiny bit of snow... I guess England just isn't cut out to deal with it... Glad you now have wine and books!

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  26. There - that's much better - comfort food, books, visitors and excellent wine. Better days ahead!

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  27. Wine, sausages, green pie,Milli, food delivery, postman with your order. I'm glad you had a contact with world and I hope you are warm! The snow will melt fast, spring will come!

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  28. I think there is no better special occasion than being snowed in -- that wine would make everyone in my tasting group a bit envious! And books -- oh! What a perfect bit of timing! All that and groceries too -- yes, I can see how snugging in with all that would make the snow and weather far more palatable! Now let the fun begin!

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  29. It sounds like reinforcements and a dusting of wine bottles arrived just in time, Friko. Enjoy the books and mellow wine.

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  30. Being cut off from the rest of the world must be an unsettling experience - glad to see you have fresh supplies for body and soul - and Millie, of course.

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  31. Friko, your joy is contagious! I loved reading about the just in time deliveries and...the discovery in the basement.

    xo

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  32. I love your comfort food...it looks so simple and simple is often times the best. When we have some days inside, because of weather, I always think that would be a good time to clean cupboards, closets, shelves etc. I never do that, however, I usually just walk around and look out the window. How silly of me.
    Balisha

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  33. One more day Friko and you may be freed.

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  34. Entertaining post Friko! Oh and here at the local pub they have 'Bangers and mash and peas' more than you could eat for $6! Comfort food indeed and yours looked delicious.

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  35. No snow
    just cold and windy - but sun is shining
    Comfort food for one
    made vegetable soup.
    Wine I miss because of very dry mouth
    but may open a bottle and add a little water :)
    Books are stacked everywhere in this cottage.
    stay warm...

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  36. Auf das Weihnachtspaket haben wir fast einen Monat und auf Amazon fast zwei Μοnate warten müssen. Zum Glück waren keine Lebensmittel ´drin. Seit fast einer Woche keine öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel, die streiken sich die Seele aus dem Leib. Frühling wird es wohl trotzdem bald werden.

    Einen tollen Freitag dir, viel Vergnügen beim Wein und mit den Büchern.

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  37. Wine and comfort food can ease many a pain.

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  38. biting cold could keep us indoor a lot, hence we end up doing things we don't normally do during better weather. but what a nice way to snuggle with a warm blanket, coffee and a good book. keep warm!

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  39. Amazing. A glass of wine, a nice meal, a few good books and suddenly, the we see the world through rose-tinted glasses. Happy to hear I am not the only one who is a bit deranged when something small goes wrong. Dianne

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  40. Wine, sausage, books, Beloved and Millie - enough to stir a listless soul and warm the cold of winter. Cheers!

    Anna :o]

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  41. Love it! Maybe we can swap 10C degrees from here in Oz for minus 10C from you. Enjoy your drop of mellow wine meanwhile. Christine

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  42. Frustration overwhelms me and suddenly it feels like the world is 'ganging up on me’. Not a rational reaction at all, I know.

    I once said: Oh, life is great except for the frustration & hopelessness.

    I'm standing by that ;o(allowing for the dose of sarcasm in it as well). ~Mary

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  43. Any day that the mailman delivers books is a good day – drinking a good vintage isn’t that bad either.

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  44. Dear Friko, to quote an old song adage--"What a difference a day makes." I'm glad the postal carrier came with the books and the grocery woman came with food for both of you and for Millie. Like everyone who lives with a companion animal, I bet your larger concern was for MIllie and not for yourself. I hope that the days continue to bring you good news and cheer. Peace.

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  45. Hoorah! Books, food, wine, food for Millie - it all sounds quite good. Oh - and you have electricity, too! I've a friend in Wales who had to contend with a couple of days with no electricity. That was no fun at all.

    Perhaps your confinement can be a bit more tolerable now!

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  46. wie schön, eine so grosse bewegung hier zu spüren. ich frage mich, wie deine bücherregale wohl aussehen. ob da wohl noch viel platz bleibt?!
    dir liebe grüsse und ein lächeln von
    renée

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