A Pajama Day (or two!)

Christmas pie

I used to long for a “pajama day” – one where I didn’t have to leave the house, and hence never had to get dressed.  In other words, coziness all day. But alas, there can be too much of a good thing, as we all know.  I have had a pajama week - well, almost. I am not complaining, but I have to admit that yesterday, it was getting a little wearing.

The Twins and I were going to get together and celebrate our personal little Christmas on Boxing day, but Corinna was ill, and I was hobbling about with my poor foot.  I am still hobbling, but on Boxing Day it was serious, one-day-after-injury hobbling, and now it is slow-you-down-a-bit hobbling. So we put our fete off till Epiphany.  For Boxing day, we planned to have something English, but British Christmas food seems famously meat-centric - specifically centering around a goose or a roast beef.  I was flummoxed.  Becca suggested a Christmas pie that she had made in years past, and for which she even had a special English pie pan.  I vaguely recalled that the pie in question had chestnuts in it, and they were disgusting.  I also recalled that I hadn’t really liked it altogether.  She assured me that I had liked it, and that it had been a general hit.  I was, of course, skeptical about this.  She also told me that it was quick and easy to make.  I was skeptical about this too.  Well, it was easy, but it was definitely not quick.  Happily, I have to admit that she was correct in that it was delicious!  Really, really delicious.  Except for the chestnuts.  They were still disgusting.

She also encouraged me to make a cake from the wonderful English baking book* she had given me.  I selected a cake that seemed not too challenging, as I was definitely challenged for time.  The recipe said, “Use a 19 cm loaf pan.”  I had a 19 cm loaf pan, but it was obvious that the cake would grievously overflow the tiny pan. I called her in a panic.  Not to worry, she said.  English loaf pans are really different.  They are wider and deeper, so my 19 cm loaf pan would certainly not work.  She had the requisite English loaf pan too, and I could come borrow it.  Since it was a pajama week, and since it was raining, and since I can’t ride my bicycle with my poor foot, I drove to her house in my pj’s and she brought the pan out to me  so I didn’t have to get out of the car.  It’s the cutest loaf pan I have ever seen.  I hinted that she might give it to me, but my hints fell on deaf ears.  The cake turned out yummy too. 

Then back to my pajama week.  By last evening, I think it was beginning to tell on me.  I stayed in bed much of the day, knitting, reading, and feeling guilty for being such a lazypants, but unable to muster up the wherewithal to do anything else.  My pal Michelle invited me to go to a textile event, showcasing a new Downton Abby line of fabric, but I felt too inert to even get dressed.  I said I didn’t feel up to it, but she ignored my whining and insisted that I pull myself together and go with her.  I am glad she did, this outing finally perked me up. Today I got dressed again and emerged from the house several times.  I guess my pajama week is over.  Thank Goodness!

These two members of the audience came in period costume.

 It's by Dan Lepard, one of my faves. She sent for it from England as it isn't even available her yet.  It's chock full of yumminess.