The Best of a Bad Situation!

I like to think I have a knack for getting the best out of things, a way of turning things to my, er I mean the best, advantage. I have had both girls home this week with chesty coughs and nasty headaches; Lucy has had the headache which appears to be a 'viral' thing - well, there's a surprise - and Isabella has hacked away at the same time as demanding anything she can think of while I have worked in the kitchen on my orders. If only she was as happy to snuggle under her quilt as Lucy, though truthfully I am no different and only like to cosy up in bed when well enough to enjoy it, magazines and knitting/sewing to hand, choccies...you get the idea?



This could have been fraught, but it has been fine and today I have put the work away in order to address another possibly bad situation: the disgustingness of my homemade Hedgerow Cordial. Now, I realise this may not seem that big a deal, but when you have spent much time gathering elder and blackberries, rosehips and apples in order to provide your offspring with rich, slightly healthful cordial as an alternative to that offered in the supermarkets only to find they are drinking something which looks and tastes closer to a rich and alcoholic red wine it is most definitely Not A Good Thing.



One has to consider the possibility that teachers may think your well-behaved child is well-behaved for a very good reason and that there may be a need to contact people on her behalf. One sniff of her drink bottle would confirm any suspicions as the full and fruitsome odour of a good Cabernet fills the nostrils. Unfortunately, the taste does not match the promise and therein lies the reason for my assessment of the situation as bad: do I bin and waste all this effort/fruit/sugar (did say slightly healthful) or do I come up with something to do with it?



I added a goodly glug of brandy, mixed heartily and poured a slug for your benefit - see above - and re-bottled the Hedgerow Cordial as Hedgerow Rob, a delicious beverage to be taken neat by a fireside (lit obviously) or with hot water and a dash of cinammon when feelingg the need for comfort. Definitely NOT to be taken by children!



Now I'm off to read Captain underpants to the children and pack away these stockings which have looked so lovely hanging in the kitchen.



Hope you are having a good day?



Bye for now x