Countdown to the New Year

30 December

My little feline charge, Gandalf, has been quite restless because he hasn’t been able to go out because he’s been recovering from surgery.  The vet said that he could start going outside but we felt that he needed to become more familiar with us first so that he would actually come back when we called.  Well, he has been getting into everything because, in my opinion, he’s bored.  I decided that some new playthings might cheep him up, so I hopped on the train to Dorking to go to the nearest pet shop. While I was there I browsed some more in the antique stores. This time I found, among other things, the most exquisite serving pieces.  One was a giant mother of pearl spoon on a silver colored handle, the other was a serving set with mother of pearl bowls and shell handles.  It was so hard to resist them, but I managed, damn it!

While I was in one of the antique shops I started to feel a bit lightheaded and realized that I hadn’t had anything to eat, so I popped into a little cake shop, Putty Cakes, for a lovely slice of coffee walnut cake and a latte.  From where I was sitting I could see the baker.  Every now and then he would pull one of the cakes out of the display and cut a small piece for himself – clearly a man who loves his work! After paying, I saw him sitting at one of the tables, so I asked him if he makes Biscoff cakes. If you’ve never had it, Biscoff cake is made with Biscoff butter and has crumbs of Biscoff biscuits on top.  We first had it in 2022 in Kent. The little village store carried it and it was fabulous.  I’ve been trying, in all my visits to different English cities, to find it again but with no success.  I decided to take a chance. I walked over and introduced myself, told him how delicious the coffee and walnut cake was, and asked him if he ever made Biscoff cake.  He said, “Yes I do. As a matter of fact I came in second place in the international Biscoff cake competition last year.” (Note to self: find that competition & go!) Do you make them to order? “Yes, but I’m going to be closed on New Year’s day & on the 2nd and 3rd.  I can make one for you to pick up next Friday.” I explained that that wouldn’t work because we were leaving town a couple days later and even though I am a bit of a sweets hog, that was too much cake to eat in too short a time. He said, “Tell ya what – I’ll do it for next Wednesday. Come in after lunch & it’ll be ready.” OMG! Biscoff cake! Costing a small fortune!  I’ve been threatening to take the train to Kent to go to the little village store in the hope that they’ll have it, so spendy though it is, it seemed silly not to, really.  As I metaphorically skipped down the street, I passed this wonderful sign.

My trip to the pet shop was successful; I cam away with a ribbon on a stick for him to chase, a catnip fish and a food puzzle.  When I got home and gave him the catnip fish he went crazy.  He carried it into the next room, bit it, back-kicked it, and eventually tore a hole in the side of it.  I lured him away with a treat and took the soggy damaged toy away from him. Success! The wand toy was successful as well, except he didn’t wat to play with it, he wanted to eat it. He does have a rather short attention span, though, so I was able to get it away from him a few times and get him to chase it properly.  The puzzle was less successful since it requires delayed gratification, but he loves his Dreamies treats a lot, so he did play with it. A successful outing!

Is this the face of a happy cat?

31 December

New Year’s Eve is another one of those days when most shops are closed up tight. Bruce & I decided we needed a couple of things from the grocery store so we walked into Ashtead proper to go to M&S Food. We got the things we needed and were thrilled to see that they had passion fruits – and only £1 for three! I can never find these or even passion fruit pulp in the states, so whenever I find them, I buy them!

They aren’t at all appealing to look at, but when you cut them open they reveal their sweet/sour magic.  As I reread this post I realize that I get jazzed over the simplest things.  “Want a diamond bracelet, dear?” “No thanks, I’d rather have passion fruit and a Biscoff cake." (Note: this conversation never happened.)

 Like most people of a certain age, we don’t go out on New Year’s eve. Being performers, we always had a gig that night, at least until the turn of the millennium. That another story that I won’t go into, but NYE isn’t the reliable cash cow it used to be.  Quelle dommage. We had toyed with the idea of going into London but thought better of it so we did what we always do: had our champagne and special snacks – break out that Petrossian caviar!! Our other treats include smoked salmon (usually on party rye, but this year on white bread) with capers and lemon juice and boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce.  Ask Bruce to tell you the story of embarrassing his mother with his shrimp consumption at the Holiday Inn sometime.

We actually succeeded in staying up late enough to watch the London fireworks & drone show.  Holy Mackerel! I thought New York fireworks were impressive. This surpassed anything I've seen before. I can’t imagine being packed in along the Thames to watch them in person, but who knows?  Maybe someday.