SUPPER CLUB

Last night I went to my last supper club meeting here in Southampton. For just over two years we have been meeting at different locations to enjoy food and friendship. We meet once a month, with the odd extra one slipped in when there is either, something to celebrate, or sometimes simply because we fancy getting together.

I found the group through a forum in WOMAN & HOME magazine. I would advise anyone moving to a new area to hunt down a similar group. It is a great way of meting new people. And as it is a supper club then immediately you have something common with the people you meet.

We have had good meals, average ones and some not so good, but through it all we enjoy good company, lots of chatting and a lot of laughs.

We are all different, some single, some wishing they were, some happily married. We are all different ages, at different places in our lives, and from this brings a network of support. A shoulder to cry on, or someone to call if you need a chat or a cup of coffee.

I think as women we are all good at supporting each other, and whether we have to search it out or it is there on our doorsteps we should never forget the importance of our female friends.

So sadly I said goodbye to them last night. I am the first one to have left, so it had a significant meaning for the group.

As we left BANANA WHARF the site of my first meeting the girls, it was with mixed emotions. Excited about going to start a new life in Shanghai, but sad at leaving friends behind. I know there will be new ones waiting but that doesn't really lessen the pain of goodbyes.

I just want to give a special thanks to Gill who organised the get togethers. She does a great job and long may she continue bring women together to enjoy what women enjoy doing most, eating, chatting and enjoying a glass of wine with friends.

Soon I will be blogging from Shanghai. I am sure there will be lots of reasons to blog and look forward to sharing my new experiences with you all. Watch this space.

AFTERNOON TEA

Last week I had a friend staying with me for a few days and thought it would be nice for her to meet some of my new friends. So I contacted a few of my supper club friends and arranged an afternoon tea at a local restaurant. Formerly Dock Gate 4, it has gone under a remarkable makeover, and is now called Grand Cafe.

I loved the new decor. Lots of black and white zebra covered chairs, jewel coloured cushions, fantastic eclectic styled lights and I was happy to see the wallpaper I have on my guest room wall adorning some of the walls of the restaurant. How cool must I be?
The decor divided our group. I think you either will love it or hate it. I loved it.

But the decor was not why we had come, it was to enjoy an afternoon tea with friends. There is something really nice sitting around a beautifully set table, chatting and catching up with old friends, while at the same time meeting new people. One of my friends had a Spanish lady with her and she was just loving the very English experience of enjoying afternoon tea. I think we forget just how special traditions like these are. I think it is important to keep them going, and I am happy to see they seem to be very much in fashion at the moment.


We were seated in a lovely alcove at a large table covered in white linen. We were seven ladies in all and all eagerly looking forward to our afternoon tea. A couple of the ladies requested coffee, so wrong, so UN- English but it was brought without fuss or questioning. The rest of us had pots of tea brought to the table, and of course we all enjoyed a glass of champagne. Just to make the event really special.

The sandwiches, scones and cakes arrived on traditional tierd plates. Bowls of clotted cream and fresh strawberries sat alongside the scones. Smoked salmon, egg, prawns, ham and mustard and cheese sandwiches adorned the bottom tier, cakes and pastries the middle tier and the scones and accompaniments on top. It all looked very tempting. Soon we were all tucking in. So now we were doing what we girls love doing best, enjoying lovely food with good friends and loving every minute of it.

As we were leaving we decided we must make a habit of continuing this tradition of taking afternoon tea together. I look forward to doing it again soon.



Maybe I will even organise one in my home. Break out the white table linen and best china for the occasion. Yes I think I will, and soon.

SUPPER CLUB

Last night I joined a group of girls on our monthly Supper Club outing.This was to be my second meeting of the group.
When I moved back to UK it was to an area I had never lived before and knew I was going to have to make new friends. Both an exciting and anxious time. Makes you think of all the people you have left behind but also of what lies ahead. Sometimes I wonder if my luck will run out. I have always met wonderful people wherever I've lived. Some life long friends and many more passing acquaintances. With all of them I have had so much fun and so many wonderful experiences.

When I saw the Southampton Ladies Supper Club on a forum in a magazine I saw this as my opportunity to put myself out there, to start and build a new friends network.

It was with trepidation I attended the first gathering. Deep down I knew that the love of food would be a common thread throughout the group, otherwise why would they be there. So immediately there would be shared interests,and who knows a wonderful friendship may be lying behind just behind the restaurant window.

Arriving at the restaurant I looked around for signs of the group. One lady, Norma, was already there and we shared a few words before everyone started to arrive. Immediately I felt relaxed, there was lots of chat and laughing. I knew this was a group was going to work for me.

Everyone has varying interests in food, some love to cook, some don't, but one thing for sure we all enjoy the social aspect of sitting around a table with like minded people sharing our experiences and views. Some people like myself have lived in different cultures and I look forward to hearing all about their experiences.

I think these groups are such a good idea. A wonderful way of meeting people. I am so happy I took the plunge and signed up. I now look forward to all future get togethers, to finding new places to eat and yes, I do think there is a friendship or two waiting to blossom. Can't wait for the next night out with my newly found friends.

What nicer way to spend a Saturday night than with friends. Old friends, new friends, friends young or old, it doesn't really matter, what is important is that you are with people you care about and who care about you. In my mind being invited to someones home is the highest compliment you can be paid. They are opening up not only their home but an insight into their lives and how they live, allowing you a glimpse into their lives. It was with great pleasure we accepted such an invitation on Saturday night. These were very new friends in our lives. Our connection? We were introduced by someone, who, knowing both ourselves and our new friends were from Scotland thought we might like to get together. Then it got weird. Not only did we share a country in common but we had lived a mile or so from each other at different times in our lives, although our paths had never knowingly crossed, we knew people in common and our friend even went to school with my cousin. We were destined to meet. Two couples far from home, completely by chance being introduced, finding we are now living only 10 mins apart and sharing a history. The history is such an important factor because when you are so far from home it is nice to share news with someone who knows exactly where you are coming from.
So Saturday night arrived. As with new friends there is always a certain apprehension. This lasted only a few minutes. Immediately we were settled into comfy chairs in front of a roaring log fire, handed a gin & tonic, and the night had begun. It went for a bit of the time something like this, "Did you know such a person had died" "No, is her husband still alive?" "Don't know but I'll find out" We went through a small list then decided to move on to cheerier pastures. Find we know several people in common, and had fun catching up with news each of us brought to the table from home.
Now we moved to the dining room. A lovely room lit by soft candlelight, find it is much kinder to me these days than an overhead light. We started with a bowl of roasted parsnip soup. It was bursting with flavour of caraway seeds and other delicious spices. The bowls were scraped clean. On to the main course, chicken stuffed with bacon and cheese with a creamy orange sauce, yummy, wild rice and mange tout.I savoured every mouthful and left an empty plate. For dessert a pastry filled with Cream and served with cherries. By this time I was so full and had to leave a little on the plate. We were all four of us now well fed, and filling up nicely on the wine. We retreated to the basement where the men played pool and indulged in their shared love of Malt Whisky. We girls listened to music from our past, our feet itching to get up and dance to Rod Stewart. Then things mellowed we listened to Andrew Bottcelli and caught up on more news from home. Finally at 3-00am, yes am, we headed home, thanks to the kindness of their son who very kindly offered to drive us home. We had enjoyed a wonderful evening, we feel as if we have known these people for ever. Thank you Jim and Val for a perfect evening. Hope we can do it again soon.
Sunday. Maybe that last glass of wine hadn't been entirely necessary, but I did enjoy it and that's what matters, isn't it? After a longer than usual Sunday morning in bed, it seemed that a healthy smoothie was the way to go for breakfast. A good start to the day and a way of feeling less guilty about the over consumption of food and drink the previous night. Who am I kidding I felt no guilt or regret!

2 ripe mangoes
1 peeled chopped banana
400ml/14oz milk (soya would be good but I did not have any in the fridge)
handful of ice cubes
runny honey to taste
125g/4oz blueberries.

Blend everything apart from blueberries until smooth. Pour into tall glass and decorate with the blueberries. Enough for 4 glasses.



My blueberries decided to sink! Didn't make for such a beautiful photograph but tasted good anyway.
Next Saturday night dinner with friends we have known since shortly after arriving in US 5 years ago. This time dinner in a restaurant, but knowing our friends as we do another fun night is on the cards.

GOOD FOOD and GOOD FRIENDS

What better way is there than to spend an evening with good friends, good food and good wine? Luckily we have spent many such evenings, in different places, different countries and always with wonderful people. Last night was one of these nights. We were to spend the evening with three other couples. Italian was the theme of the night and we were to be treated to a deightful dinner prepared by our friends. We started off in Tania and Lu's home where we were treated to a delicious plate of antipasti. A perfect beginning to what would become a perfect night. I love antipasti and could eat it any time. The antipasti plate consisted of, italian cold cuts, marinaded mushrooms, cheeses and a delicious red pepper & tomato spread. With some good french bread and a dish of artichoke dip the evening was off to a good start. After dipping into the tasty plate of food, a few glasses of wine and the beginning of good converstion around the kitchen island the mood of the evening was set. We moved onto house number two. As we entered I could smell the aroma of something wonderful coming from the kitchen. Todd was putting the finishing touches to a risotto, and a Osso Bucco was bubbling on the stove. It was clear we were in for something special. The table was laid, the candles were lit and Frank Sinatra could be heard crooning in the background. How much better can life get? Cheryl had set the mood perfectly. We sat down filled our glasses and ate very well. The food was delicious and I savoured every mouthful. I will be asking Todd for his recipe for the Osso Bucco. With Autumn in the air it was so good to sit down to a warming supper. The wine and the conversation flowed. A bottle of Sambuca was brought to the table and the Italian theme continued. Joey and Bob provided dessert, although I am fairly certain it was more Joey than Bob who had taken the time and trouble to provide a gelato with a perfectly tart raspberry coulis. The combination of the two was just delicious. Ice Cream and Raspberries, two of my husbands favourites, together they made him a very happy man.
Sadly all too soon the evening came to an end and reluctantly we made our way home. A wonderful night was had by all and I make a mental note as we leave to do it again soon.
A big thank you to our friends who last night got together and cooked up not just a perfect meal, but a perfect evening. Also a big thank you to all our friends wherever they are in the world, who over the years we have sat down with and enjoyed evenings such as last nights. Friends are important, and to be able to get together share food, and in some cases cultures, to exchange thoughts and ideas and even when we do not share the same views it is good to be able to debate, discuss and at the end of the evening to go home and look forward to doing it all over again at a later date. Evening like this make me feel part of a something and not an outsider who just happens to be passing through. So here's to many more of these evenings.