gently gliding into January

There were points on my birthday when I thought, "well screw this nonsense." But I got out of my head and stopped throwing myself a pity party (the canapes are never very good at a pity party) and things turned out all right. Mr. Jenner's Mother made me a rather large chocolate cake and we had that at tea time with an assortment of people. Though I ended up eating my slice in the kitchen because I was calming a slightly sick baby. After getting Miss Biscuit to sleep (that vomit train is over) I got to be a grown-up with some of Mr. Jenner's university friends. Things have changed a bit since we last saw them. There are new girlfriends/spouses and what not. One friend was attempting to make pizza. Watching him roll out dough was slightly painful (he was trying to do it without any flour and things were sticking and the dough was shaped like a deranged rabbit) so I gently helped out and made pizza for everyone. It was eaten up. People drank and chatted about vacuums, politics, books, travel and other subjects of little note. I had a nice variety of things to drink. I tried someone's sloe gin, some whisky and a bit of wine. I paced myself as I am old and can't really drink like I did in the old days. Around one am I gave up the ghost and went to bed and read for awhile. Mr. Jenner eventually came to bed but woke up with a fierce hangover. Mr. Jenner's brothers also were in a state. They had been down the pub until about four am and somehow made it home. It seems that Chris was threatened by a few people because he was a little too flirty with some girlfriends.
Never dull at the old Smithy (also known as the old squiffy to some) this is a pub where a naked man had to be wrestled to the ground in the car park. (he was hung up over an ex-girlfriend) You get the occasional fight but the food isn't half-bad so you overlook some details. They have good beer it seems. (I don't drink beer)
Anyways...
New Years Day was spent in the company of Jenners who were in various states of recovery. The scent of eggs and bacon was heavy in the air. Children lazed about watching Cbeebies and feeling grumpy. I woke up feeling all right with the world. I helped with laundry and children.
Last night we had this truly excellent butternut squash and chicken risotto. The risotto had bits of truffle in it and the scent was truly heavenly. I may have to bring back some with me. So heady and earthy and sexy. I kept burping truffles for hours. We also had a starter of avocado mousse with a black currant sauce & lettuces from the garden. A chocolate cheese cake was for pudding. After dinner it was more lazing about with the family. Games with the children and serious slouching while Mr. Jenner's Father watched some Morecambe & Wise thing. Oooh Angela Rippon's legs.
Mr. Jenner and I went over the accounts for the month of December and enjoyed a nice evening.

This morning started off with a bang. Senor Onion came into my room to snuggle with me for a bit. Then when Mr. Jenner came in to bring me a cup of tea (yeah he is that lovely) Senor Onion sat up and said, "I don't feel good" and proceeded to toss his cookies all over the bed.
*closes eyes for a moment*
By now I can do this in under five minutes. Stripped the bed of the bedclothes, tidy up Senor Onion and get new sheets on the bed. Senor Onion is on the sofa watching Cbeebies & sipping water. People have been reading him stories. It will be over in a day.
Despite all of that things are pretty nice.
Mr. Jenner's brothers have shown up (with assorted children and partner) and my Mother inlaw is cooking up a Sunday Roast. There is an enormous roast beef cooking, there will be yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes, veg, gravy and a beautiful lemon meringue pie for pudding. Mrs. Jenner always cooks this when we visit. This means there will be cold beef tomorrow!!
Later on we will visit Mr. Jenner's youngest brother to see their new house.

Now for more In the Night Garden!