26 December 2017

Bibendum

Reeling away from the table like Bibendum, the famous Michelin Man, I managed to lurch ten yards into the living room, collapsing into the sofa. My belly was filled with all sorts of things. 

There was the traditional starter of prawns in seafood sauce on a salad bed. Then there was the banquet itself on an oversized plate. Roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potato chunks, roasted carrots and parsnips, peas from our garden, brussel sprouts, leeks, homemade chestnut stuffing, apricot and stilton stuffing, sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy and of course slices of roasted turkey meat. As Ian's a vegan there was a also his "Bosh!" portobello mushroom wellington. It was all washed down with a good quality sauvignon blanc from New Zealand.

I cleared the plate and waited for the homemade Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, brandy butter and cream. Yes. Like Bibendum I was fit to burst.

We sat in the living room and watched a sci-fi film starring Matt Damon - "The Martian". Not my cup of tea but I followed it to the end still unsure why my son had raved about it but hey, he has watched all the Star Wars films when I haven't seen a single one. I'm a fan of reality and well-crafted portraits of believable lives. "The Martian" simply confirmed that for me.

Frances's young man Stewart came round in the evening. We had beers and turkey sandwiches and watched another film as rain began to pelt our windows. The second film was "Eddie the Eagle" and in spite of myself I rather enjoyed it. After all it was based on a real man's Winter Olympic ambitions. There was a good mix of highs and lows, laughter and tears. I guess in the end it was what you might call a "feel good film".

And now it is Boxing Day once more. The sun is shining. Frances and Stewart are on their way to London in Shirley's little car. Stewart's extended family have a big  gathering in West London every Christmastime and they are all expected to be there. F&S will be driving back Up North tomorrow. They will have done their duty as well as spending seven or eight hours sitting in a small metal box on wheels.

32 comments:

  1. I now the feeling well from in the past, sadly indigestion has appeared and I can no longer indulge as I did. lol
    As for star wars, I also have never seen a single one but Eddie the Eagle I thought was a lovely film.
    We found ourselves going back in time and watching 'The Fugative' and Rambo would you believe, lol
    Rambo 11 is tonights entertainment.
    Briony
    x

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    1. When Rambo comes round tonight I hope that Tom will be able to find something to do in the kitchen.

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    2. Oh no, he dons his headband and loin cloth and I love it. lol

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  2. Correction, Know not now.

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    1. Tut tut tut. You are a naughty girl. See me in my study for... extra tuition.

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  3. That was over-indulgence to the extreme, no doubt excused by the annual "well it's only once a year" comment.
    As a huge "Victoria" fan I was eagerly awaiting last night's two hour special but fell asleep as it started and woke up half way through it, so that's one to watch tonight as I recorded it. This morning, as you'll see from my blog, I was out and about very early.

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    1. Okay. I shall pop over to your blog in a bit Derek. Thanks for dropping by again old chap.

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  4. wow! your lunch puts our roasted potato, chicken schnitzel, peas and carrots to shame!

    If i ever expect my kids to spend eight hours in a metal box on the most dangerous days of the year, please give me a kick up the bum

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    1. To tell you the truth the big motorways of England tend to be quieter on Boxing Day. No big lorries and less business journeys. I would never kick a lady's posterior unless she was called Theresa May.

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  5. Put him in a bed with Theresa Maaay...Put him in a bed with Theresa Maaay...Put him in a bed with Theresa Maaay, early in the morning... yes, that works. Sorry, I just had to try it out. What a feast you had. I felt over-indulgent with my feast of ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce. If it were just one day, that is excusable, but the leftovers will last a week.

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    1. Please do not put me in a bed with Theresa Maaay Lisa! She'd be all over me like a rash.

      I agree that the leftovers are often more appetising than the actual feast which is something that Philip Maaay must have often said to himself but without conviction.

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  6. Three kinds of stuffing? Yum! Stuffing (or dressing, which is what we have here) is my favorite part of any holiday meal.

    I purchased the ingredients for so many recipes that some of them haven't even gotten cooked yet. I have this whole week off, though, so I'll get around to it.

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    1. The word "stuffing" presents several comedic possibilities which I will however shun in the name of propriety.

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  7. Sounds like a wonderfully festive meal. I burned off so many calories running around cooking that my Christmas dinner was just the right amount, pie included. We had a huge windstorm during the day, causing thousands across the province to lose power, some of whom are still without. Fortunately all we experienced was flickering lights for an hour or so. I feel very lucky that things went relatively smoothly this holiday! Ah well, there is another celebration today and one later in the week, so it's early days yet.

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    1. To be without power at Christmastime must be so miserable. Sitting there in your overcoat chomping on raw carrots. Not my idea of fun.

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  8. I watched Eddie the Eagle on the plane last year, I surprised myself by really liking the film. We had the Bosh Wellington on the menu too yesterday (with added apricots for a hint of sweetness)and it was good cold today with some plum chutney. Right now I can't bear the thought of anymore food.

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    1. I shall advise our Ian about the possibility of adding apricots... Are you going to burst?

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  9. You festive meal sounds fantastic. I'm sure it will do you good!

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    1. I just went up on the moors to walk some of those calories off but I think I would really need to walk about 150 miles!

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  10. It sounds like you had a wonderful family time, Yorkie...while gorging...ooops...I meant...grazing...on platters of food! And why the hell not, I do declare!

    That is what Christmas extended lunch is all about, in my opinion!

    It sounds like a delicious fare was there to be rightfully enjoyed. And it would appear you gave it the justice it deserved!

    With amount of food I have here, I think I won't have to visit the supermarket etc., until after Easter!

    As well as bingeing on food (with nary a drop of liquor passing my lips...I think I'm becoming a boring old fart - I'm allowed to say that - not you, laddie!) I've been bingeing on - *cough* - the cricket, the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, as well as a few series I'm hooked on, streaming on Foxtel Now, Netflix and Stan.

    On the subject of "Eddie, the Eagle" and one of its co-starts, Hugh Jackman...I'm looking forward to seeing Jackman's "The Greatest Showman", which was released here on Boxing Day.

    The movie has received mixed reviews from the "critics", but I do believe it will be a box office success...popular with the movie goers.

    Keep enjoying the Festive Season, Mr. Pudding. :)

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    1. How come I am not allowed to call you a boring old fart? It doesn't seem fair to me. Even so, I shall desist and respect your polite request. Please advise me what I am allowed to call you. How about honey pie?

      As usual, thanks for calling by again Lee.

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    2. By the looks of the typos in my above response one couldn't be blamed for thinking I've been hitting the turps! :)

      "Honey Pie"! "Honey Pie"? I think you have food on the brain, Yorkie! lol

      And the Aussie wickets are falling at a rapid rate this morning!!! The Poms are back in the match! Too late for them, though. We have our hot hands on the mighty urn...and we won't let it go - not yet a while!!

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    3. Not till your lads return to The Motherland then as Americans might say we'll "whup your asses"!

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  11. It's been many years since I've eaten a hot Christmas dinner on Christmas Day such as you described, Mr Pud. And in our weather I don't want to ever again. Many Aussies celebrate Christmas in July though, and that's when we enjoy a hot Christmas dinner!

    Meanwhile, here on Chrissie Day, we had a wonderful feast of prawns, lobster, Moreton Bay bugs cold ham and a choice of salads. Perfect!

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    1. Moreton Bay bugs? Bugs? You eat bugs at Christmas? I guess this is a tradition borrowed from the aboriginal people.

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  12. Sounds like a great day, always nice when the family is together.
    Merry Christmas YP and Shirley.

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    1. Merry Two Days After Christmas Helen and Big Tone!

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  13. Your Christmas menue sounds like you were expecting to feed an army. But I am sure nothing will go to waste.
    Yesterday at O.K.'s sister and her husband, we had a delicious Christmas dinner, and I was sure I would NEVER eat anything EVER again. And guess what, this morning I have just had breakfast...

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    1. PS: I didn't know the Michelin man has a first name; to me, he was always simply the Michelin man.

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    2. Yes it's true - Bibendum is The Michelin Man's name.

      Are you now fat? You will need a whole new wardrobe!

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  14. I think maybe you are teasing me, Mr Pud, but on the off chance you are not, MB bugs are a shellfish similar to lobster only a little smaller and sweeter.
    Wish I could get the "reply" thingy under the posts to work for me. Computers hate me.

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    1. Thanks for explaining Rozzie. Try clicking on the word "Reply" to open the Reply box.

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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