A friend produced a fab Sunday lunch for us, doesn't it make you feel special!

Hi Aggie,

Well, its not often that I write to YOU about food, as I am not normally that interested, you know me I just eat what is shoved in front of me but, read this....... we were all asked out for Sunday lunch yesterday, and my god, did it hit the spot or what. Roast beef with the most yummie yorkies, loads of veg, roasted sweet potatoes and a bucket of gravy. I had seconds which is unheard of for me, and Sam who is such an oink had  thirds, fortunately for him there was tons to eat, he was silent through the troughing bit of the lunch, except he makes this sort of snorting noise accompanied by a lot of hmm sounds, never does it at home, but as my cooking is not great, he never crams food into my mouth at the rate he did yesterday, washing it down with copious amount of  delectable red wine, no wonder he spent most the the lunch beaming at our hostess and then rolling his eyes at me! I know exactly what was on his mind, could he maybe  do a swap and pop home with Clare and live in roast beef heaven for ever and leave me behind  with the washing up,  and send me the odd post card, as he got fatter and fatter!

At one point during MY second helping, I thought the same, perhaps we could kidnap her and keep her hostage in our kitchen to serve up yummy food, but thought it would end up as Princess Diana once pointed out, 'There were three of us in this marriage' and it wouldn't take me long to work out I could be the loser in this little plan! No room for pud, you say, huh, well you are certainly wrong there, we then had Eton mess, which is my idea of heaven, and somehow I managed rather politely to decline seconds, as I knew my 'stop button' in my stomach wasn't working but I could have polished off the entire bowl. I understand where you are coming from, Aggie, as you always say, what a greedy guts you are, but what's a waistline between friends when you are confronted by a bowl of strawberry heaven?

I thought about this stupendous meal as I was wallowing in delight that I hadn't got to think of supper last night 'The kitchen is closed' I said with great authority, no -one look bothered, in fact rather relieved, but perhaps I am being too self critical.

 Its not all about the food, is it - I mean its the fact that someone likes you enough to invite you into their home, and then put themselves out for you, I would be getting myself into a major muck sweat over what Clare produced, but she did it with no fuss, no I've burnt the yorkies, or sorry not enough gravy.  Organising and executing a mamouth Sunday lunch for six adults and a large fistful of children, takes careful planning, a lot of courage, and above all a lot of love, she cares enough to bother. It has made me rather humble and realize I must try harder with my cooking, the pleasure we got was immense, the fun and laughter and good company goes hand in hand with food cooked with love. It has taken me a long time to get it, now I understand why you bang on to me about cooking is not just about eating, but the nurturing process, no wonder our  Sunday lunch  is rather a solemn affair, frozen pizza doesn't quite rock anyone's boat, does it?

Sam's shirt is covered with gravy stains, but do I mind, the look of contentment on his face made me realize that the way to a man's heart is definitely through his stomach!!

Did I mention we had cheese as well!

Love Sarahxxx