Yesterday was one of my favourite days in the calendar.  The annual Ladies Night.  This tradition began with lunch, was then extended to the evening and these days is a lunch and a dinner and a girly sleepover.  Marvelous!

I spent a delightful 24 hours with 3 dear friends who I was at school with; Gini and Sally

and Lucy.

And Michelle who I used to work with in 1985.

Michelle was the hostess with the mostest and we began by admiring the beautiful table she always sets.

So much attention to detail.

Very pretty decorations with a red, white and black theme.  It was all very gorgeous.

For lunch we had homemade squash and vegetable soup and homemade soda bread which was delicious.  This was eaten alongside pate with redcurrant jelly and cold meats.  Supper was superb.  We had scallops with chorizo followed by an amazing slow roasted blade of beef with red cabbage, pureed carrots and potatoes dauphinoise and then lime and raspberry cheesecake.  Followed by a cheeseboard and chocolates.  Thank you Gini, Sally and Michelle for such a feast.  Unfortunately there are no photos of dinner as I was too busy discussing important matters such as the Euro crisis drunk.

Every year we give each other a little Christmas present which is always really fun.  Michelle surpassed herself by making us all (NB: MAKING) a 1950’s style pinny.

We washed up, left the place immaculate and were tucked up in bed by midnight.  Some, or all of that last sentence may or may not be true.

In the morning Zoe and Lucy were on breakfast duty.  After a ten mile dawn jog long lie in, we served up the chocolate pudding smoothie, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice,

Bagels with smoked salmon and cream cheese and cappuchinos.

It was so good to see everyone and to catch up properly, for the first time in far too long.  Au revoir, beautiful ladies.

Back at home I made a simple supper of roasted peppers, onion and onion squash,

with quinoa and goats cheese.  Quick and easy to prepare, tasty and nutritious to eat.

We are going out to a drinks party locally tonight so I wanted something healthy to eat first and hopefully that will stop me eating too many fatty snacks.  Wish me luck!