We used to go through my mother's cookery book, and would 'oooh' and 'ahhh' at the pictures, and as the desserts led into cakes, and cakes into wedding cakes, the sounds became louder and more enthusiastic. She was looking for the recipe I wanted, but although I wanted to make the 'Dundee', I could not remember what it was called. We 'oooh'd' and 'ahhh'd' together, although I could not see the pictures. My memory served well! Eventually, she found the Christmas cake recipe, which called for 'Any rich fruit cake'. She listed a few and finally she found the one I was looking for.
Having snapped a picture and sent it to me, I got to work! Of course, there were a few differences. The recipe book is circa 1955, and when the oven temperature said 350, the ovens did not maintain the heat as they do now. A loud noise, or a clatter could cause a cake to 'fall' as the technology of insulation was not the same. However, despite having to make a few adjustments for the ingredients, I did not think about the oven. I baked it at the temperature given, and really should have checked with Mary Berry first! It is a shame I do not have her and a few other bakers on speed dial! Twenty or thirty degrees lower would have been ideal!
Twenty or thirty degrees higher was the outside temperature on Monday. Sunday afternoon had rained, and I had put the cake in the oven before attempting to have little 'me' time by the pool. After the third downpour, I decided to come back to my kitchen and 'play' More English recipes, like the little chocolate 'Christmas puddings' and the classic gingerbread men, were made and put aside for the office staff and delivery men. Before I came in from the rain, I checked the water temperature, which seemed to have risen quite considerably due to the milder days. Therefore, Monday morning I decided to risk an early morning swim. It was glorious! As I walked back to my condo, I was spotted by neighbours who, naturally, thought I was completely mad, but expected no less! Mad, maybe, but I did point out, not stupid! If it had been a particularly chilly morning, I would not have ventured into the water.
Four tickets were ready to be accepted in my emails. It was the first time I had won tickets to a hockey match, and I was quite excited. Amazingly, Grant had also won four tickets. However, the game was on Wednesday, and we had plans. Fortunately, no one objected to a change of day, and we decided to accept the prize.
The mild mornings allowed me to swim for another two days. As I floated for a few minutes on Wednesday, I was aware that this really may be the last swim of the season. The high for the day was pretty much what I was experiencing, laying on my back, being held up by a buoyant suit.
Our workday finished, and I got changed into more suitable attire. The red and black dress, with green jacket and silver boots were swapped for a pair of jeans and jumper. I went from being a Christmas tree to a regular Texan, with boots and hat, albeit with a tartan jacket!
Samantha and her family were already at the venue when Grant, Cyndie and I turned up. Dana did not really want to go, and I did not pout and stamp my feet. If he did not want to go, then so be it. He was happy for me to enjoy myself and I was happy for him to stay home. The promised hot chocolate and cookies had run out, even though they were only forty five minutes into the two hours before the game! There was still coffee, and if you were quick enough, it was possible to ask the guy at the cookie stand to squirt some of the canned cream he had left over. I sipped my coffee and went in search for the smores. Santa and Mrs Claus sat on a bench, and I took my grandson for a picture. "Do we get a present?" I asked. Reluctantly, Santa took a box from his sack and handed it to me. He had one box left and seventy five minutes to say "Sorry" to anyone else who asked for a present! The lady at the smores stand was concerned she would run out of cookies and chocolate, but she had enough marshmallows for a week. "Let them toast the marshmallows!" said the lady to whom she complained. I entered the venue with my hands full! Once inside, I spotted the H-E-B stand. The supermarket that sponsors, and presumably owns, the venue. Pins, ice packs, highlighters and other goodies were all on a table for everyone to take. I pulled Cyndie over and said, "Take a highlighter". I needed her to have something to commemorate her first experience at a sporting (or any other) venue!
I had asked Samantha, previously, what was in the box from Santa. "A t-shirt and a button" she said. Just before the game started, I looked at her. "A button? really?" A button here is what we would call a 'badge' at home. I know she has an American child, but.... She looked at me. "You are just now realising that I made a mistake!" she said. Of course, no one else knew to what we referred.
Our section won the 'selected section' prize of a free snow cone, (received in the form of a voucher,) and
as the game ended in a draw, we were all given a voucher for fries at a local fast food restaurant, because the game went into overtime. My grandson lapped up the attention he was getting from all the adults, as well as the entertainment. He clapped, shouted, squealed and was thoroughly delighted!
The 'Stars' won the game, and we all went home happy. Cyndie had also thoroughly enjoyed her first ever 'venue' experience. I arrived home a little after ten, which was fairly good for a school night!
Thursday morning was once again very chilly. I walked around our complex and cleaned the skimmers as Raul was off for the holidays. The water temperature had dropped considerably overnight, and I was happy I did not brave the elements, thinking it would be as warm as the previous day. This really was the end of the season....perhaps!
Work had started to slack off midweek, and we were lulled into a false sense of security. We thought that many people had cleared their desks, and were headed out to wherever they wanted to be. The airports had warned of the excessive crowds, and many people decided to go 'home' early. Emails were being responded to with, 'out of office' replies, and the traffic had slowed down quite a bit. However, as is normally the case, Friday afternoon exploded! We were back to the "We need this done!" category! "They closed at noon, and do not reopen until the Monday after Christmas", we reported on one thing. "Why didn't you go earlier?" came the agitated response. "Because you sent them after twelve!" All sense of reason flies out of the window when the holiday season approaches. We did not leave the office until quite late, which was not altogether surprising!
All that remains, again, at this time of year, is to wish those who celebrate a very Merry Christmas. I hope it brings all you want, including peace on earth! What we do, or don't will have to remain up for grabs, in ........... another story!
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