I got it wrong. Husband didn’t suggest I write a blog about the contrast between the way I thought my life would turn out when I was a kid and the reality. He meant a blog about all the things you thought you’d have when you were a grown-up. “Like a sugar bowl … or a Ford Cobra … with a 20-year-old blonde sitting in the passenger seat,” he clarified. OK then, things I thought I’d have when I was a grown-up (but don’t) …
1. Husband has a point, why don’t we have a sugar bowl? While we’re at it, a pepper grinder, food processor and a matching set of saucepans wouldn’t go astray either.
2. A proper laundry. Appliances in a cupboard don’t count. It should have one of those nifty fold-down ironing boards, plus lots of storage and airing racks and stuff.
3. A sofa that’s less than 50 years old.
4. A car that isn’t covered in dings and scratches and stickers that the Sprogs have placed over all the windows.
5. A coffee table.
6. Towels that aren’t faded and frayed.
7. Bed linen that’s not threadbare, with elastic that’s not loose.
8. An outdoor setting that accommodates more than four people and isn’t covered in spiders’ webs.
9. A pool. Oh how I want a pool.
10. A proper bookcase that I haven’t built myself from an IKEA flatpack.
11. Window coverings that aren’t decrepit and stained. Or from Spotlight. Or – in some extreme cases – window coverings full-stop would be nice.
12. A fridge that doesn’t look like it’s harbouring the Ebola virus when you open it. With crisper drawers that pull out without having to be jiggled and wrenched.
13. A dishwasher … which reminds me … where is my dishwasher? Must call dishwasher repair people. Or make Husband do it, since he’s the Bad Cop.
14. A garage, with tools hung on special hooks and cupboards for storage, plus little trays to catch the oil drips under the car.
15. A set of matching glasses. Wine, water, beer, champagne … anything. Old Vegemite jars don’t count. But I wish they still made those Vegemite jars/water glasses. Brilliant invention.
Oops, this has turned into a blog about the things I think I should have as a grown-up, as opposed to things I thought I would have when I was a grown-up. To be honest, I can’t remember what I thought the accoutrements of adulthood were when I was a kid … other than too many rules, brown suits, wide ties, orange kitchen appliances and bright green cars (which have somehow clawed their way back in fashion again).
TONIGHT’S DINNER: More pies … I cooked an awful lot of pie mince last night. I make these “cheat’s” pies in a pie maker. Fabulous invention. Invest in one, they’re cheap and kids love ’em. I’d go for a four-pie maker if you can. Otherwise, there’s a delay while you’re cooking the second batch. Here’s the recipe –
1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 750g beef mince; 1/3 cup plain flour; 2 1/2 cups beef stock; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 6 sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed.
METHOD: Saute onion in oil until soft. Add mince and brown well, breaking up lumps Blend in flour and cook, stirring, for one minute. Gradually stir in stock and tomato paste. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. While mince is cooking, pre-heat pie maker. Cut pastry circles, place in pie-maker. Fill with pie mixture. Top with another pastry circle. Cook until golden. Serve with mash and veg. Sprogs are guaranteed to beg for seconds. Refuse their desperate pleas for thirds.
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