As sure as eggs is eggs

Good morning darling, one is in fine spirits and fine fettle. Now, we shall make the most of it as it happens rarely. The house is joyous!!! Filled with daffs and narcissi galore even spilling onto bedside tables to scent beautifully.
Naturally not from my husband but from daughters 1,2&3. Boxes of the happy blooms delivered daily. Utterly fabulous.

( more came later!)

The reason for this is of course Mother’s Day . I would much rather have the girls with me. The reason for my delight is they will ALL be here. Hurrah !!! Yes one kicked them out into the big bad world but it is jolly nice to get them all back once in a while.

At least when hungry if there are eggs then all can be fed. Bacon is getting bad press so we have switched to fried egg sandwiches on a Sunday morn.
Have you ever baked an egg?? A tea time treat , crack into a ramekin and simply slosh in some cream and some seasoning and bang in the oven. No mess, no fuss. Incredible.
Scrambled egg are richer with the addition of cream.. Heavenly.

Usually one is partial to an egg brunch time. Not too early please.
Eggs Benedict or Florentine are divine and an omelette can certainly satisfy.

The delicious Ms. Dahl champions
Eggs Arnold Bennett.
Mmm…
We’ll see

Ingredients
- 100g/3½oz undyed smoked haddock fillet, skin on, pin boned
- 100ml/3½fl oz milk
- knob of butter
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 8-10 black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp crème fraîche
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 55g/2oz parmesan, finely grated
- small bunch fresh chives, finely chopped
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 large free-range eggs, beaten
- knob unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- small handful fresh watercress
- 1 tbsp lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. Place the haddock fillet into an ovenproof dish, pour over the milk and add the butter, bay leaves and peppercorns.
3. Transfer to the oven and poach for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, mix the crème fraîche with the lemon zest, grated parmesan and most of the chives. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Heat the butter with half of the oil in a large ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat, and pour in the eggs, stirring slightly as they cook to loosen them from the sides of the pan.
6. Flake the haddock from the skin while the eggs are cooking, taking care to remove any remaining bones.
7. When the eggs are still slightly runny on top but have started to set, spread over the crème fraîche mixture, then scatter over the haddock and transfer the omelette to the oven for 4-5 minutes, or until cooked through and slightly risen. Remove from the oven.
8. To serve, drizzle the remaining oil over the watercress in a small bowl and add the lemon juice, turning to coat the leaves. Slide the omelette onto a serving plate, sprinkle over the remaing chives and arrange the dressed watercress on the side.

The writer Arnold Bennett was so delighted with the egg, smoked haddock and parmesan concoction that chefs at the Savoy created for him, he insisted on it being made wherever he travelled. And at the Savoy, Omelette Arnold Bennett remains a standard dish to this day.

Beg, borrow or

Steal it from the boys.

Darlings , the best thing about having a chap in tow is stealthily laying claim to all available attire. Cashmere jumpers are super cosy a size up, gentlemen’s shirts always look exciting on a lady. I use my husband’s for household chores. Why ruin ones own.

First it was “boyfriend “jeans, then a jacket. Now after reclaiming silk ties and numerous cufflinks the next extended loan will be a cravat.
In fact one is going to champion the cravat.

I’m going to sit in the car and whistle “Rule Britannia”.

Men are simple creatures , a cravat is far easier to wear and tie that a regular tie or a bow tie. Golly, having worked in menswear many a groom came dashing in on a Saturday morning rigid with nerves with their ties undone . At least they knew that a ready made would never be acceptable .

Relaxed, polished, elegant.

Silk, naturally . As bold or as classic as one likes or dares.

” What do you mean orange isn’t your colour darling”

Luckily it is mine.

Beg, borrow or BUY from Harvie & Hudson

Naturally whilst typing this one is lounging in Mr. Lee’s navy silk polka dot Derek Rose robe, we share the pyjamas!

If the darling can dip into my vanity case then his wardrobe is fair game.

Body rock

Good morning darlings, grey, foggy, soggy and that’s only moi. Where is Spring with its clear bright and crisp days? This is not what it says on the tin.
Ones sparkle is fading along with ones hair colour.
The same can’t be said for Ms. Moss.

Only a waif or a model or a rock star ( or one married to a rock star) could get away with it. This is a party for Paris fashion week, what did you expect her to wear?
In a room full of models and model lovers a girl must pull out all the stops.
Kate rocks!! Always has, always will.
Who cares if off duty she can look as rough as the rest of us, isn’t that why we love her?
The ability to ” scrub up well” ?
Her nonchalance is key. On anyone else this get up would scream desperate .

Erm….

Hell to the no, darlings this ensemble comes with a health warning. Only Britney can do TOXIC.

If in doubt fling a tux jacket over the top. A girl needs somewhere to put her Marlboros after all.

Baguettes

Darlings , did you know it’s 15 years since Fendi launched their baguette ? Golly, how time flies when one’s buying bags . What is sickening is dear old Fendi are RE launching it. Cripes! A little too late pour moi. One slung the old dears out yonkers ago and now some little grey haired old lady has snapped them up for a fiver from the cat’s trust.
Good luck to her!
If only one of ones daughters had ” borrowed” them then one could ” borrow ” them back.

I’ll take mine any way they’re given.
Diamond /carbs/Fendi.

Diamonds never go out of style darlings.

Heaven on a baguette.

How those French girls stay so slim one will never know..

That’s right , rub it in.

One wouldn’t even attempt to mug an old lady, never fear.
Their arsenal comes complete with razor sharp elbows, demon mobility scooters and Fendi handbags.

Radishes.

Spaghetti Sunday

Darlings how was le weekend? Ours was as ever rather frantic with the un winding left until after supper. Dashing about is frightfully bad for ones constitution. Eating on the hop far worse. Thankfully we managed to settle down in front of the box in time for a charming film ” Houseboat” with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant.

Apparently she eats pasta every day!

And at 78 I’ll have what she’s having.

Courgette and lemon linguine.

1 pk linguine
2 cloves garlic chopped
3/4 courgettes
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
Slug of double cream
Olive oil
Sea salt & black pepper to taste
Parmesan

Pan of salted water on to boil.
Fry courgettes ( sliced) and garlic in olive oil until tender and slightly brown. Add lemon juice and half of the lemon zest.
When pasta is cooked according to instructions add to pan .
Add a good slug of cream and remaining zest.
A generous grating of Parmesan and season to taste.

Who needs meat?

Men usually.

Blessings

Darlings one was feeling rather melancholy this morning , it’s daughter no.1′s birthday and as she lives too bloody far away one can’t spend it with her. It sucks rope .
One has to make the best of these things. Cracking open the Champs naturally.
What would I want?? Her to still be at home under my feet? Not likely. Our offspring must be confident and enquiring and have wonderful lives to live. Not be held back by some clingy mother who wants things to stay as they’ve always been. Selfish creatures.
Fly little birds fly!!!!

Snowdrops delivered . First brought by granny when her first great grandchild ( my daughter) was born, clutched to her breast in a cut glass vase. Poetic non?

Sent now by post from http://www.cornishflowersdirect.

Ones mood may be blue but one must count ones blessings.

Today the window cleaner didn’t catch me in my drawers!!!

A blessing.

Simply not worth it chum.

A clear winner

Darlings , one is utterly shattered. Mr. Lee could have woken the grave with his howls, moans and teeth grinding. Fingers crossed for an easy day and a peaceful night.
Do you have any design tricks ?
One thing I have learnt over the years is that rugs are anchors. Set them beneath a dining table or under seating to define spaces and zone areas. Another trick is when space is at a premium make things disappear . If only that would work with husbands.

Currently at Chez Lee we are without a dining room. That is not to say we don’t have a dining table, we do, 2. One in the sitting room and another in the kitchen. What we are lacking is space . The solution is not to block the eye with a heavy cumbersome chair but to take the eye through it. Ghost chairs are just the ticket and have been en vogue for a while. With good reason. They fit the bill perfectly.

Modern, chic, unobtrusive . They fit into either contemporary or classical homes.

Outside living in small places.

Darlings I know you will find it hard to but up until a couple of months ago I was an Ikea virgin. I kid you not. After fruitless and countless visits the only things purchased have been hotdogs .
Then some charming glass dinnerware was spotted.

Even with 8 place setting the effect is still light and magical.

It looks vintagey Frenchy pretty, what’s not to love?
The price will kill you darlings !!!
Buy it in bulk while they still have it.

Filling the cupboards as we speak .

Très jolie non ?

From notonthehighstreet and on ones list!!!!
Candlelight , bewitching, flattering and oh so subtle . A little like moi.

On a good day.