Friday, May 1, 2009

Dinner Chez Nous

If I seem a little distracted today, darlings, it's because Mr. Muscato and I are having a few friends in for dinner. Ergo, of course, Mamie, for nothing makes me think of dear Mrs. Eisenhower like preparing to be a gracious host.

Our local supermarket has of late been offloading turkeys, you see, at prices not to be missed. We picked up a couple last week (ah, the joys of an extra deep freeze!), and this week noticed that the management has now supplemented the signs promoting the sale with a prominent "Consume soon!" sticker. Appetizing.

As a result, dinner, which will consist of a 10-kilo turkey with all - or at least most of - the trimmings. While we're doing most of the cooking, for neither the first nor the last time I realize how deeply grateful I am to be living in a country that enables one to have household help. Without Ermilia, we would live in deepest squalor; with her, we have a life that almost approaches the Edwardian in its ease and tidiness.

Because it's a school night, it won't be so much a full-fledged party as a gathering - tightum (and only just that) on the Tilling scale, for the Luciaphiles amongst us. Although we won't be playing bridge. And I doubt many parties at Miss Mapp's came with the possibility that one of the guests might belly-dance. Although I suppose with Quaint Irene around, one never knew...

7 comments:

  1. Have a lovely time, although turkey without sage....

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  2. Will it be Turkey à la Riseholme?

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  3. I guess they found them languishing at the bottom of the freezer during their re-furb

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  4. Long Live Luciaphiles! It's so tarsome when others don't get ones allusions...

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  5. Sounds lovely...

    and thank you for that picture. It prompted me on at least 10 minutes worth of "researching" photos of Mamie at various stages of life.

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  6. Even houseboys get the occasional Friday off (it being Sunday here in opposite-world).

    Our most recent Dubai houseguest brought as their hostess gift a large jar of sage, so the stuffing was saved.

    I believe we will be trying to en-Riseholme some of the leftovers. Once upon a time I had a Tilling dinner and attempted, based on the named ingredients, to try making Lobster à la R.; it was a great success. This time, however, we brined the turkey, which turned out a treat.

    Based on a brief chat with the very pleasant supermarket manager, I do believe the turkeys were an unexpected freezer find. He said they were perfectly okay, though, and as far as I know the guests are all still alive.

    And yes, Mamie can be something of an addiction. And that's a very good thing.

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