Sunday Night

Well, here we are...almost the beginning of a new week. Where is the time going? I mean, we're on the downhill roller coaster ride to Christmas!

This morning I got up about 5.30 and even though it was cooler compared with the last couple of days, it wasn't too bad. I did a bit of work then decided to start my laundry. I glanced out the window and saw Fred preparing to dismantle my washing line. I opened the back door and yelled! He came over and told me he was moving it because the tree lopper would be coming within the next few days to take down some trees that were too close to the house. However, when I told him I'd started my washing, he decided to leave the washing line where it was until tomorrow.

That over, when the towels had finished, I took them outside to put on the line. Oh, I meant to mention that Fred was wearing a T shirt and shorts. I was in winter clothes and when I saw him, thought it must be warmer outside than in. I was wrong! It was freezing and I called out to Fred and asked him if he was cold. He made some smart remark about me being a Kiwi as he walked over towards me. I asked him again if he was cold, his answer was to put his freezing hands on my cheeks. Ohhhhh! I had goose bumps on the goose bumps!

Later on, when I was having a cup of coffee with Jane, I noticed that Fred had a sweater and trakky daks on...mad bugger!

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My cannelloni was absolutely delicious. I hadn't made it for ages and forgotten how much I loved it. If you are interested, here's the recipe:

Baked Cannelloni Milanese

500 g pork and veal mince

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

2 two eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and freshly ground black pepper, to tast

12-15 cannelloni tubes

375 g fresh ricotta cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese

Tomato Sauce

425 ml can tomato puree

425 ml can tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Preheat oven to moderate 180 degrees C. Lightly grease a rectangular casserole dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine mince, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, oregano and seasonings. Use a teaspoon to stuff the cannelloni tubes with mince mixture. Set aside.
• To make tomato sauce: Place tomato puree, undrained, crushed tomatoes and garlic in medium pan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add basil and pepper and stir well.

• Spoon half the Tomato Sauce over the base of prepared dish.


• Arranged the stuffed cannelloni tubes on top. Cover with remaining sauce. Spread with ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with combined parmesan and cheddar cheeses. Bake, covered with foil for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden. Cut into squares for serving. Enjoy.
  

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Thank you all for your concern and caring advice in the comments to my last post which included the paragraph about the flu we're having here. Believe me, I do wash my hands a lot...sometimes I wonder about myself. But it's because the practice I work at in the city takes up a whole floor of the building we're in. This means that staff and patients use the same toilets and, although this is really gross...a lot of people do not wash their hands after using the facilities.

So not only do I wash my hands thoroughly, but after opening the doors and going back to my desk, I also use the Milton hand rub stuff I carry in my purse, which is a very good antiseptic and disinfectant product. That way, I not only avoid the flu, but avoid horrible gastro viruses carried by people who are not very particular in their habits.

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Poor Jane has still not recovered from her illness and Ken, her father, who had been over to help her out, is coming down with it. Now Ken is a pretty healthy guy but he's 78 and at that age, anything like this is a worry. We're hoping he doesn't get it too badly.

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Well, that's it for this evening. I hope you all have a wonderful week and don't work too hard, either at home or at work.