12.23.05
Mince pies
They are finally made after a 3 day saga. I attempted to roll the pastry last night and it wouldn’t. I don’t know what I’d done to it but something was seriously wrong. I dumped it and started again. As I stood there crumbling butter into the flour while he relaxed in front of the telly, I thought ” What is wrong with you? BUY mince pies for God’s sake. Where does this compulsion to make one’s own come from? How did the necessity to make mince pies suddenly become so wrapped up in your identity. You are not a bad person if you buy them” Anyway, I continued in my cloud of self-doubt and despair and got them done. The leaked a bit and I didn’t roll the pastry thin enough but we’ll see. They are for serving after the nativity play. Did I explain this already?
The local school aren’t putting on a play so our friend Noleen thought we should have our own. Her 2 children and my niece and nephew will have starring roles. It is taking place in my father’s hayshed complete with actual cattle and sheep. My father is a notorious grump and therefore perfect for the role of a mean innkeeper. My baby is needless to say Jesus. The toddler is a shepherd (costume to consist of tea-towel and long shirt). My uncle who really is a shepherd will lead the party. Joseph and Mary will arrive in Bethlehem in a go-cart as while a donkey was sourced it cannot be trusted. My mother bought a really tacky Star of David thing whihch flashes in different colours. We are all set.
Anyway, china is out and washed and ready. Crystal all out and washed. Silver doesn’t need to be as was used recently. I am short nice vegetable dishes. I have Nicholas Mosse but that’s not nice enough for Christmas. I’ll have to send up the road for some (mother’s) and then buy in the sales.
We’ve never had prawn cocktail before so I am serving it this year even tho its supposed to kitch. Paddy says its ok once its not served in a wine glass and the prawns are not frozen. Well they are in the freezer so that’s that but I’ll serve them on a plate. I will only be half kitch.