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A few days ago, trying to recover from not having people over for a French meal, I decided to cook saffron lamb shanks for dinner and invite Nicoline over to enjoy them with us. It was no coincidence that it coincided with her giving me her edits and critiques on the 2nd draft of my book. Then, late in the afternoon, Mirinda asked Louise to join us. We made a raucous foursome.
But first, I had to visit the ICA for supplies.
There was a hint of rain in the air as I dragged my trolley towards the mini putt putt. Obviously I stopped off for the obligatory photo.
Each week it inches ever closer to completion.
At the ICA I had the unexpected pleasure of being served at the check-out by Emelie. I asked her what she was doing for Midsummer and she told me she is spending it with a friend at her family’s summer stuga. That sounds like a good old, early 20’s piss up to me. She is normally pretty tired on a Sunday so I said that I hoped she had next Sunday off.
Mind you, she regularly looks pretty wiped out on a Sunday and today was no exception. She had visited her aunt last night, she said. Clearly her aunt is a bit of a rager.
After a little chat, affording her the opportunity to practice her English, I headed home, exchanging greetings with all and sundry. Sunday morning folk are always the friendliest of the week.
The rest of the day was spent, basically, in prep while Mirinda worked on her raised beds and Zoomed with Lisa for a bit. She is planning to meet up with Lisa and Jack in Copenhagen in a few weeks so there was a bit of excited planning going on.
But then, eventually, it was time for Nicoline to arrive and pick my book to pieces. Actually, her edits and thoughts were all gratefully received. I didn’t agree with ALL of them but the vast majority will go into the third (and hopefully, final) draft.
A little later, Louise was convinced to read my book over the summer. It will be number three in her summer reading list. Along with a book on classroom management and the hundredth reading of Harry Potter, my book may provide something of a diversion, if a somewhat circuitous one.
Speaking of Louise, I noticed on the way to the shops that a white van with a name on the side was parked in her driveway. It was still there when I returned. I was sitting having a coffee with Mirinda (in the glass room because it was too weather risky on the deck) when the van backed out for the morning drive of shame.
Obviously I cannot supply names or comment any further.
Anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy dinner (scallops to start, lamb shanks for main and strawberries in a pistachio cream for dessert) and the chat was a delight.
Louise was threatened with becoming a place mat after the photo was taken. I threatened her with an invitation to the often cancelled French dinner night as well. Of course, no-one knows when that might be.
