Last Week - Busy, Busy, Busy

It all started on Friday 4th June. That was the day that my sister was cremated in the UK. I couldn't be there but I had written something to be read at the service and had worked out what time it would be here in Oz. That was 8pm and so I planned to sit down in the lounge and be very naughty and have a cigarette (I don't smoke in the house usually) and a glass of red in memory of my sister Betty.

It was Men's night and I knew that M would be out so I was prepared to give her a toast and probably shed a few tears. Somehow the guys took ages to leave our house and then one of my friends arrived so I never had the chance to cook and eat dinner that night. Fatal mistake!

My friend had arrived with a bottle of red wine and she was allowed to stay on the proviso that at the appointed time she would join me in a toast. She agreed, naturally. At the appointed time we raised our glasses and I sent my sister off with best wishes and an invitation to visit whenever she could!

So we finished my friend's bottle and I thought it would be rude if I didn't offer her one of ours. So I did, and then we drank that. The next thing is that M returned with a couple of the guys and we all had a whiskey (my sister loved whiskey too!)

Remember I've had nothing to eat all day bar a bowl of muesli and a banana for breakfast.

We got to bed at 3am.

I didn't get out of bed until 11.50am the next day and to be truthful I should have stayed there as I was no good for anything all day. It was a good send off but I don't think I could do it again!

Then on Tuesday 8th June it was my birthday and my friend and I went out to lunch as M was working all day. It was a beautiful day and we sat in a restaurant with views of the beautiful Huon River and ate lamb shanks, yum.

That night another two friends arrived, with dinner. A beautiful beef rendang with all the accompaniments. And champagne, lots of it. But this time I was very careful and we ate and drank and laughed and had a very good time.

Wednesday 9th June I had to go to work and M's son came to dinner that night. So again it felt like a busy and frantic day.

Thursday 10th June I had to drive up to Hobart to have the dog, Terry, micro chipped. I made a huge pot of soup for tea, using a ham hock and lentils. Then I went off to book group that night.

Friday 11th June and I wasn't going anywhere. I stayed in the kitchen all day and made a loaf of bread, a chocolate cake and a batch of ginger nut biscuits, as is shown in the photo above. I bet you were all wondering what a photo of food had to do with the rest of the post!

Saturday 12th June we were invited out to a friends for dinner and blow me on Sunday 13th June, other friends have invited us up to their farm for dinner tonight - which is why I'm rushing now.

Through all of those last days, rushing around etc., we have also had all the usual visitors popping in and having tea etc. so yes, busy, busy, busy.

And next week? It should be a quiet one. We're having a new roof put on the house and there'll be an extra three men for morning tea and lunch until its finished. Um, maybe not that quiet then.

Jan