When Weeza was a little girl she would announce, at the end of a busy day, "I'm hungry and I'm thirsty and I'm tired." I thought that at lunchtime today, after more than three hours spent with china. So I poached two bantam eggs and toasted a slice of bread for lunch and then, having gone too long without food, ate a chunk of cheese too. I have a sizeable fillet of plaice in the fridge, that I bought from Paul the Fish this morning, but I'm not sure I can be bothered to cook it. I'm trying to think of something healthy that I want to eat and I happen to have, instead. It may be simpler to cook the fish.
Most of the time, I'm enthusiastic about cooking, but a few times a year, I become completely bored with it. This time, it's been sparked by turning the Aga off - it had been far too hot to bear it for a week, then I've resisted any temptation with the memory of the last propane bill, for the fill-up just before the war started, since when prices have rocketed. I'm making this last as long as possible. I bowed to the trend for heated blankets in the winter and, in the last chilly days, it has saved me from turning on an electric fire. I admit also to switching on the electric blanket at night, a couple of times, too. This, only days after finding a summer duvet far too hot and just sleeping under a sheet. English weather is endlessly entertaining. Another heatwave is promised for later in the week. Bring it on, darlings. At least we've had plenty of rain.
The bantams are laying enthusiastically. There are only eight of them, all either four or five years old. But there were six eggs yesterday and another three today. I am planning a good many egg-based dishes for Saturday - cakes, mousse and good old egg mayonnaise, at least. Thank goodness no one is allergic to eggs. With the obvious exception of vegans, vegetarians and committed meat enthusiasts (because the first two and the last don't fit easily) I aim to serve food that everyone can eat, not to make anyone feel as if they have to be careful and ask. Luckily, I can and do eat pretty well anything, but a lot of people can't or choose not to.
Anyway. As ever, I start to write without knowing where I'll end up. I'll go and cook that fish. I've got a blood test booked by the way, for tomorrow. I had a speedy response from the GP, which is slightly disconcerting. I know how triage works.
3 comments:
I was interested to see how propane compares to oil for heating. As one might expect, prices are on a similar trajectory, although propane never shot up in price quite as much as heating oil (I guess because there is less demand):
https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/propane
Mind you, a quick search shows that LPG Agas use 50% more litres of oil a week than oil (ie 60 cf 40 litres). Compared to many other things, this is still not a huge huge expense for the many benefits (practical and well as psychological), IMHO.
- BW
A year and a half ago, my Aga service man fitted a new burner. He said it would be much more adjustable and would reduce fuel use, and he was right. The reasons for not going for oil were that we were advised that it ran dirtier, so having the Aga serviced twice a year was recommended and also that we had a friend whose oil tank had leaked into the garden, disastrously. Also, my mother in law lived in the annex and very much wanted a gas hob. Since she kindly paid for the Aga as a housewarming present and we were moving into her house, having gas was the very least we could do.
As you know, I love my Aga, as you do yours. I daren't work out the running cost any more. But at least it warms that end of the house and I don't have any other heating there unless I put on an electric fire.
Triage is a terrible thing.
No, I do not want to think about this, here, in this context. I am sure some fe preparation / medication is the answer.
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