Festive hostilities intensifying...

I like this time of year in some ways (though not for the barometer-like tendencies of the joints).  The greetings from friends are coming in thick and fast, and it's comforting to be remembered by so many friends old and new.  An extra entertainment is the form of address on the envelopes: Debretts plainly don't offer a succinct formula for civil partnerships!  Many give both our names, others one or the other.  A lot come addressed to Martyn & David.  Some come to D & M Smith, one to M & D Bishsmith, and one, perplexingly, to Mr & Mrs M Bishop.  Well if he can handle being Mr Smith, I guess I can't grumble about Mrs Bishop.  And any form of address is preferable to none.  (But if you call me that to my face, you may expect a response rich in 'f''s, possibly preceded by the estimable Isla's 'Are you familiar with the expression:....')

We had the art group bash yesterday, and Miss did a couple of demonstration paintings, both on salvaged canvases that she had overpainted in magenta.  I love her easy broad-brush style, and think I may go to class next year armed only with two broad brushes, one big round one and a rigger.

We adjourned for wine and nibbles at 11:00: I declined the former since I'd to drive, but hit the nibbles with gusto, hence needed no lunch on my return home.  Having made some mini blinis for a wine & nibbles event at Forges-l'Evêque next weekend for the neighbours, I froze some separately for the art class.  Dollop of crème fraîche on each, slap on a king prawn and a pinch of paprika (all from Fortnum's, need I add?): Bob = uncle; Fanny = aunt.  Caviar or smoked salmon woud do, and for a vegetarian crowd, try halved olives, capers or bits of jalapeño, or combinations thereof.  The last time I did blinis for neighbours was in Lagrasse, for Sheila and Henry, using bought blinis.  Never again: they were horrible, and it's so easy to make decent ones if you follow this Guardian recipe.   Hot, heavy pan, very little oil, and a scant soup spoonful of batter per blini.

My weight seems to be creeping up again.  Funny, that.