Recipes for Life

There are two things that won’t let you down; good food and good friends-in that order. Which spawn of Satan took the last aspirin? My head feels like it is going to explode; it hurts to blink! Those blasted wine fairies have snuck up on me again and swopped my brain for a throbbing ball of cotton wool! Will I get through the pre-school breakfast fiasco without throwing up? Not sure I should drive the girls to school; I might still be over the limit. Before you start tut-tutting and have me labelled as an alcoholic, let me clarify. Last night was the monthly meet of “The Girls”. We meet at each other’s houses (restaurants refuse to have us anymore!) Each month the number of us meeting fluctuates. Our group is a “pick n’ mix” of characters- some of us have known each other since school; high-flyer Sonia; The Mother Theresa of our group, Becky; and of course “the Twins” Helena The Adorable and Helen The Ruthless. Some are new arrivals (desperation leading them to join our merry troop) like Lidia, forever on the search for her Prince Charming. Some we can’t even remember why or when they joined us- I have no idea where Diane appeared from- actually one could ever say Diane “appeared”- Diane” makes an entrance”, red carpet and all. Diane, the one we love to hate. So glad she graced us with her presence and added some glamour and raunchiness to our little coven. Life never turns out as you want/expect. Sometimes, if you are really lucky, it turns out better; but on the whole, our fluffy, pink, candy floss dreams are squashed, trampled and pounded, until they are unrecognizable and we are left with a lump of used, spat out goo. Most of us feel we are the only ones to have bad luck. Most of us live in envy of others. Most of us feel bitter, hard done by and suspicious of anything positive. We always seem to be struggling to keep our heads above water; no time, no money, no energy, no help. Most of the time we think-what is the point in trying! Life sucks. Years of fumbling around in a dark room and we still can’t find the blooming light switch! However, there is no use crying over spilt milk (now crying over spilt wine is a different kettle of fish!) We have to learn to swallow our mistakes, cut through our problems and prepare ourselves for the next dish thrown at us. Let’s learn how to laugh at reality; let’s learn to stick up two chocolate fingers, and blow a great, big raspberry rippple, at “Life”. Who better to do this with than good friends and good food!