Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles · 23 January 2021 at 2:16PM

Perspective

Any concerns we had about Mr F's job have been kicked into touch today. A close family member was taken into hospital last night with Covid and is very poorly. Several other family members have the virus too although seem to be coping well. Family and friends working in health care are facing desperate situations in the hospitals. I've spent all morning so far offering what support I can over the telephone.

As I have a couple of underlying health conditions, Mr F and I have decided Uncle F will need to self-isolate from us. He went back to work this week and is running training courses. Although he and the venues are taking every precaution, it's an additional risk for us. We want to make sure he doesn't feel isolated though so have invited him to join us on our morning dog walk and for a catch up call after supper each evening. I can still cook supper for him but we'll take it round. Although the supper in exchange for gardening thing doesn't look as though it will work out. Not a conversation for now but something we'll need to address with him at some stage.

Money wise I've sent gifts out to those who are in need of a little lift - the cost will be met from our fun money as we aren't spending much of that at the moment and I'll happily sacrifice a little fun if it helps people in any way at all to get through another day.

Lunch yesterday and today was Sausage Sandwiches with Pesto. Last night's supper was Oven-Baked Leek & Bacon Risotto. I'm planning Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Red Lentils for tonight as there are quite a lot of carrots in the fridge to use up.

We have a little snow here but Mr F has braved the cold to do some pruning in the garden this morning. I may join him this afternoon if it stays dry. There's a lot to do out there and we need to get out of the house when we can.

Take care everyone

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff · 23 January 2021 at 2:27PM

Gosh, sorry to hear that Fortune. Fingers crossed for your family xx

greent · 23 January 2021 at 8:37PM

Sorry to hear about your family members, Fs - best wishes to them for hopefully a full a recovery.

Seems wise to isolate from Uncle F, given his contact with the wider world. Hopefully you can come to some agreement re the supper/ gardening exchange (or not!)

Thoughts and with you and yours x

savingholmes · 23 January 2021 at 9:09PM

Wise to self-isolate. Sorry to hear about your poorly family members. Hope they come through.

Fortune_Smiles · 24 January 2021 at 12:30PM

Winter Wonderland

Thank's all for your well wishes. Everyone is ok at the moment.

We have woken to a winter wonderland this morning. Thick snow! 5 to 6 inches and still going. We have all been out on an extended dog walk to take in the beautiful views. Thank goodness we got some gardening done yesterday as there's no chance of that today.

A little money has been spent as the rope seal on our log burner needs replacing. Don't want to be without that in this weather 😆

Supper last night was the Indian Masala Carrots as planned. Uncle F wouldn't usually go for the vegetarian option but, as it's the only thing on the menu in the Fortunate Household, he's becoming accustomed to it. This recipe went down very well.

I'm planning Maple-roasted Celeriac & Parsnip Soup for lunch (without the black pudding) to use up some sulky veg from last week's veg box. Then Braised Red Cabbage, Merguez Sausages & Lentils for supper. I have three red cabbages languishing in the fridge at the moment so any recipe ideas would be appreciated. I couldn't get merguez sausages so will substitute with some chilli flavoured ones instead. I received a freebie in my grocery shop this week - a packet of frozen yorkshire puds 😆 No idea where they came from as they were definitely not on my order. I'll give the Fortunate men a couple each with their supper to bulk it up a bit. None for me as I'm trying to drop the Christmas pounds.

The snow looks lovely but I worry about people trying to get to hospital and vaccination centres. It's only supposed to last a day so fingers crossed it clears soon.

Keep warm everyone

Fortune x