I daresay in the future when I write a post about Christmas past I may mention the time when I completely forgot the Christmas pudding. That time is actually now – well actually several panic-stricken hours ago when once again my absent-mindedness came romping home like a chicken to roost. (Does that make sense? I’m sure you understand what I mean.)
I have no excuse. I could say that my daughter is hosting Christmas and so my eye was off the bauble. I could say that but in fact, organised daughter had shared out tasks for us all to do so that although she and partner are accommodating and entertaining us in their lovely new home, we are all helping and supporting the great event. We were given our very easy task of providing the drinks and also the Christmas pudding. Somehow I missed that part of the memo and thought I was supposed to be bringing parsnips and potatoes.
Today is Christmas Eve, and by the time I’d realised, the supermarkets were all shut, and our wonderful village shop didn’t have a pudding. Panic!!!!! Could I make one? Well, yes, I could – I’ve made many Christmas puds over the years, but did I have everything I needed? Did I even have the time? No good worrying, I’d have to improvise and just do my best so I set to. I used a jar of mincemeat since I didn’t have much dried fruit and I cobbled a recipe together.
I think I’ve mentioned that we are hoping to down-size and although we’re not making much progress I have been trying really hard to get rid of things I/we really don’t need, and I have been very strict with myself. In fact it’s been quite sad, heartbreaking if I’m honest, but I really don’t need the bent spoon dad always used for his boiled eggs, or the cottons and threads mum used in sewing for example. I’ve also been through the kitchen cupboards – I don’t do as much cooking, baking, cake-making as I once did, so why keep old equipment I no longer use? I was ruthless!
So tonight when I came to make the pudding I suddenly realised I didn’t have a big enough pudding basin so I’ve used a glass measuring jug instead. I no longer have the thing I put under pudding basins when they are full of pudding and steaming in a saucepan. I no longer had other things which would have made my last ditch attempts at making a pudding for lunchtime tomorrow!
I have made something – but I’m just hoping somewhere that sells pudding will be open tomorrow so I can buy a reserve!
Maybe I’ll laugh about this in years to come, I’m feeling less amused right now!
My featured image is of a Christmas cake I made several years ago. I haven’t made one this year!
Lois Elsden 