Muppet Wars

 

Muppet Wars Collage

Boxing Day - afternoon fun in Southend  -from and idea promoted by 'Custy' Roberts.

Good from afar, Far from Good

 

'Good from afar, Far from Good' - Acrylic and collage on plywood - George Roberts 2021 - commissioned - from the Bad Art/Lavatory Range.

Just to tell you once again

Who's bad?

Christmas 2021

 

We have a dear friend, who every Christmas, refers to her Christmas tree as her ‘Memory tree’. As we hang decorations on our own tree this year, we are reminded of Christmases past, places we have visited and people; grown, known, lost and loved.  

Each ornament we place has its own associated memory which informs us of who we are and what and who are important in our lives. We are shaped and made by our experiences and interactions with the wider world. Over sixty years, our Christmas tree provides a year on year record of our journey through time together.

In loving memory of George Thompson – an architect, guvnor and good friend to our family (1922 -2021).

Christmas Smoked Salmon 2021 flavoured with Jameson Irish Whiskey

Salmon into the salt and sugar cure for twelve hours then drain, wash and air dry overnight in a cool place.

Cured and air dried salmon into the 'smoker'

Charging the smoker tray with applewood and oak dust-chippings mixed with brown sugar sprinkled with a dash of Irish whiskey

Ignite the dust and stand well back

Remove the salmon from the smoker and air dry overnight in a cool place.

When smoking salmon it is sensible to keep a 'weather-eye' open for cats and in sourcing oak chippings it is 'andy to have a carpenter in the family!

This year we decided to give our fish an Irish rather than Scottish spirit finish. The final stage in the process involves painting the fish with a whiskey flavoured olive oil marinade. 

The finished article with its olive oil and Jameson Irish Whiskey Glaze

Making stuff at Christmas is particularly enjoyable as the aromas, tastes, sounds and colours are evocative of past Christmases and people who have come and gone from our lives. My Grandad Swinbourne was a fish-monger and I have happy memories of helping with the fish when I was a young kid over 60 years ago. 

Whilst I was salting the salmon, my partner played a Christmas compilation CD in the kitchen. Whilst I layered on the salt, Flanagan and Allen sang 'The Umbrella Man'. I remembered listening to this with my Grandad all those years ago. Merry Christmas Grandad!

Christmas Lights at Blickling Hall Norfolk

 

Christmas is almost upon us and thanks to  ou dear friends J&J we enjoyed a wonderful night with lights, mince pies, gingerbread men and hot chocolate in the grounds of Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

Barry the Snowman 2021

 

Our good friend and Christmas visitor Barry the Snowman 'rocked up' in Oulton Broad on the 3rd of December. This is one of the earliest appearances in December since pagan times and augers a 'cracking Christmas in the making. What Barry doesn't know about having an exceptional yule celebration is just not worth knowing!