Tonight was an absolutely fantastic evening. I invited my very first London friends over for dinner. B&L recently returned from visiting L's family in Brazil for a month. Given my nearing departure date, we knew we needed to schedule this soon, so on Thursday, we booked it in for tonight.
I've come to realize that I love hosting at my house. I started off by doing a quick tidy of the lounge and even went so far as to iron the place mats (which they always need but never get). L always lays a fantastic table and I wanted to do my best!
I did my shopping this morning, making several stops and walking all around my high street. I popped into Iceland for the super cheap but oh so yummy vegetarian spring rolls. I figured those would be good for nibbles once they arrived. I also got loads of veggies and stir-fry sauce at the store, along with my usual shopping for the next week.
The grocery bags always require a bus journey home. From across three lanes of traffic I saw my bus, which only comes every 15 minutes, at the light, about to pull up to the stop. Fortunately for me, the first two lanes of traffic had a red light, and the oncoming traffic was, as they say, "chock-a-block." I worked my way through vehicles, and got to the stop at the same instant as the bus. I always feel like a victorious conqueror when that happens, even though all I've conquered is a bus timetable and usually accidentally.
B&L arrived about 6:30, and Laura and I chatted with them and got the spring rolls and drinks ready. In a few minutes, I checked the brown rice was done and started the stir fry. Ten minutes later, we sat down to eat. Reality sank in a little deeper as I looked at the three lovely people sitting down to eat with me. These times are precious. We talked and laughed, told old stories and new, caught up on holiday news and plans for the future. I love these three. I am blessed with exceptional friends.
After we finished, we relocated to the sofas and I went to the kitchen to make the pudding (dessert) and prepare coffees and teas. I had wanted to make a dessert that went along with stir fry, because making a cake or brownies just didn't seem like a good fit. I found a recipe for a dessert stir fry and thought I would give it a go.
I have a new favorite dessert.
It's super easy. It took about five minutes to make. You just need to slice up some bananas and mangoes (tinned are ok) and then grate the zest of an orange. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan and add the fruit and zest, stirring it for about two minutes until it starts to brown. Then you add two tablespoons of elderflower cordial and serve it topped with custard! That's it! Easy-peasy and just yummy.
Well, B&L have headed back to West London and Laus and I have done the dishes. Josie got home and we are secluded in our rooms ready for bed. It's been a long week for us all. I am so incredibly thankful for this home. These girls have been real treasures. Laus and I act more like sisters sometimes. Tonight we were both in the bathroom brushing our teeth. Laura said something funny with toothbrush and foam still in her mouth. I completely understood her, which made us giggle even more.
As I reflect on my dear friends tonight, I can't even recall all of the jokes and stories that made us laugh. But I know we laughed. I think that is the sign of a good friendship. It certainly has made for many precious memories.
Victor Hugo said, "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." I love that imagery. Laughter warms you from the inside. Even London in January can't overpower the warmth from an evening with friends.
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