The rank fish Anna found in her freezer (with a use-by date of March 2014) is just out of picture on the left.
Woke up to a freezing morning, Anna's top attic room a little icebox. But Anna's duvet is gorgeously fluffy and warm so no worries.
Got up very late and had a quick breakfast of toast and tea before getting down to preparing the evening's various dishes - all Ottolenghi this year, yum. But we were expecting Alison at 4, so wanted to break the back of it before then. Helped prepare the fish marinade and the butterbean salad before Dave and I headed out into Beeston high street for our annual charity shopping and secondhand book jaunt. Lots of snow and ice still on the ground - I trod gingerly.
Beeston still looking a little down-at-heel, seem to be even more shops shut but we enjoyed ferreting in the charity shops for costume accourtrements - in the last one I tried, I found the cameo brooch I was after, genius. And I got a copy of the first Moro book in Oxfam along with the Hunger Games. As I sauntered down the high street, there was the sound of water dripping constantly - the thaw had started.
Got back to find Lara, Anna and Sophie creating a very passable still-life ensemble on the harpsichord (as you do) from all Anna's sundry foodstuffs and beautiful knickknacks. Perfect for the evening's old masters theme.
Then there was some quick dip preparing before we headed upstairs to change. Unfortunately Alison didn't make it as she wasn't well, shame not to see her, an integral part of our traditional new year merrymaking.
Some bickering occurred upstairs as Dave and I realised we'd forgotten his wig - he thought I'd put it his bag and I thought he'd sorted it. Oh well, luckily I'd brought a selection.
Dave squeezed into his tutu, donned a curly wig, some tights and my little red Office pumps complete with red ribbon and, bingo, his resemblance to a Degas ballet dancer was uncanny. I meanwhile rehashed my Mrs Micawber outfit from two years ago - long black skirt, lacy black top with cuffs sewn on, lacy collar with brooch, doilies on my head and there was Whistler's mother.
We went down to find Anna as Fanny 'Cranach', Sophie as Lady Mary Villiers playing ~St Agnes and the H-M family having come as self-portraits - Lara as a very effective and striking Lara Croft - Angelina Jolie eat your heart out. We were still taking the official portraits when Jo arrived as Holbein's Thomas Cromwell.
Then there was a lot of overeating of dips and crisps with some bubbly then the Ottolenghi harissa and rose fish (amazingly yummy) and assorted salads - all very scrumptious. I was so totally stuffed I virtually passed out for 20 mins or so in the sitting room. But I woke up to join in the very enjoyable game of masterpiece charades where we took turns to act out works of art in a suitably comedic fashion.
Then it was time for the ritual trooping outside in full costume to watch the fireworks go off around Nottingham - no sparklers this year, must remember to bring some next. And then back inside to watch the London fireworks on the box. Truly astonishing as usual.
We all faded a bit after that, I always peak too soon and before long we were lounging around in PJs drinking peppermint tea - we know how to rock out.
Happy new year everyone!
Masterpieces
http://365project.org/boxplayer/365-2/2014-12-31
Metallic finery
http://365project.org/boxplayer/365/2014-12-31
31 December 2014
Beeston, Nottingham
