Well this post is just pure joy, Mark! There's something brilliant in every section. I think, thanks to your very kind gift, I've almost completed my MD cook book collection now, too :)
Completely agree re: mulled wine... although that didn't stop us throwing quite a few beakers of it back last night at our street carol service!
My heart squeezed at your telling of you all eating the trifle you made at your granddad's bedside while he slipped away. So touching and such a beautiful memory.
How great you highlighted another writer I absolutely love - Andrew Timothy O'Brien. His writing is gentle and lyrical and funny too.
Thank you for all you share so generousl, Mark. Your writing is as beautiful as your recipes. One day I hope to be able to afford a subscription but for now, I am so grateful for your wonderful posts here.
Phew, while scrolling through, I thought for a minute that winter savory was going to be a herb you didn't like. But NO! I'm in total agreement with you, a wonderful herb and also very well behaved.
Absolutely love your trifle memory and the sound of the recipe. I’m hoping my ‘cookbook Christmas & birthday (soon after Christmas) present buying friend’ will indulge me in which case I shall be the delighted owner of both your new book and Greekish. Wishing you and yours a wonderful and relaxing Christmas 🎄!
Thank you Marjan, and thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity here - it makes such a difference. Happy festive time to you and loved ones and fingers crossed for those books!
Hi Susie, and to you and loved ones. Vinegar in the custard is for a glorious hint of acidity that brings out all the other flavours - perfect when it's so rich
Bloody hell, I hope when I go my nearest and dearest a gathered about eating trifle. That's just beautiful, Mark. Thanks too for the mention, I was wondering where the flurry was blowing in from. May a warm and spicy fug wrap itself comfortingly around you and yours this Christmas ✨🎄🙏🏼
Trifle is the greatest of consolations/rewards to my mind. And yo are very welcome. And very much back at you and your loved ones for the festive period
Hi Mark, your Christmas playlist downloaded, but I think I will have to start playing Christmas music everyday until Christmas with what I have in Spotify lol… I would really love to be a paid subscriber but with the way the Aussie dollar is against the pound it makes it extremely expensive, like $200. And don’t I know it cos I just transferred $2000 to our son and his daughters for Christmas and all they got was just over £900. Thanks for all your shares this week and now I’m sending you hugs and good wishes to you and your family for a blessed Christmas and may 2025 bring you all could hope for, Including massive sales of your new book. 🎄🥳🥂
Hi Sally, thank you for your lovely message. That is a real nuisance about the exchange rate! That said, I'd rather a few days where you are in summer to break the short dark days of December just a little bit
A happy Christmas to you!
Hello
All I can think about now is bin juice. Never mind. I forgive you. Sending you ALL the Christmas wishes Mark xxx
A double bin juice and soda…I’ve drunk worse. Much love to you you star xxx
Very happy about that playlist! Thank you.
Well this post is just pure joy, Mark! There's something brilliant in every section. I think, thanks to your very kind gift, I've almost completed my MD cook book collection now, too :)
Completely agree re: mulled wine... although that didn't stop us throwing quite a few beakers of it back last night at our street carol service!
It would’ve been terrible rude to decline it at the Carol service! And thank you
My heart squeezed at your telling of you all eating the trifle you made at your granddad's bedside while he slipped away. So touching and such a beautiful memory.
How great you highlighted another writer I absolutely love - Andrew Timothy O'Brien. His writing is gentle and lyrical and funny too.
Thank you for all you share so generousl, Mark. Your writing is as beautiful as your recipes. One day I hope to be able to afford a subscription but for now, I am so grateful for your wonderful posts here.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you Frances. ATO is great isn’t he. And a very Merry Christmas to you too - and I am very grateful for you generous presence here
Happy Christmas, Mark.
Thank you…and to you and loved ones Irina
Phew, while scrolling through, I thought for a minute that winter savory was going to be a herb you didn't like. But NO! I'm in total agreement with you, a wonderful herb and also very well behaved.
The Christmas music list is also excellent and a much needed alternative in this house, one seriously lacking in this genre. That said, can I recommend this magical song for the day itself? https://open.spotify.com/track/5cMbXOl2QUN3caqS6MpYgT?si=9f0991ff2ad9428f
That's a double knuckle tap for winter savory and the Desmond Decker/aces track! Most kind
Love this column. Thanks, Mark
Thank YOU Karen
Thank you for the playlist - you know I LOVE THEM
I hope it lives up to expectations!
Absolutely love your trifle memory and the sound of the recipe. I’m hoping my ‘cookbook Christmas & birthday (soon after Christmas) present buying friend’ will indulge me in which case I shall be the delighted owner of both your new book and Greekish. Wishing you and yours a wonderful and relaxing Christmas 🎄!
Thank you Marjan, and thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity here - it makes such a difference. Happy festive time to you and loved ones and fingers crossed for those books!
Driving North listening to your podcast. Brilliant, thank you!
I am honoured! Happy travels
Merry Christmas, Mark. Thanks for the playlist! Just a quickie, why the vinegar in the trifle custard?
Hi Susie, and to you and loved ones. Vinegar in the custard is for a glorious hint of acidity that brings out all the other flavours - perfect when it's so rich
Ooh, thanks, I’ll try it then!
What a playlist - thanks! Currently trying to plough on and hit deadlines while listening to it x
My pleasure! Exactly what I hoped it might be useful for - happy deadline hitting to you x
Bloody hell, I hope when I go my nearest and dearest a gathered about eating trifle. That's just beautiful, Mark. Thanks too for the mention, I was wondering where the flurry was blowing in from. May a warm and spicy fug wrap itself comfortingly around you and yours this Christmas ✨🎄🙏🏼
Trifle is the greatest of consolations/rewards to my mind. And yo are very welcome. And very much back at you and your loved ones for the festive period
Hi Mark, your Christmas playlist downloaded, but I think I will have to start playing Christmas music everyday until Christmas with what I have in Spotify lol… I would really love to be a paid subscriber but with the way the Aussie dollar is against the pound it makes it extremely expensive, like $200. And don’t I know it cos I just transferred $2000 to our son and his daughters for Christmas and all they got was just over £900. Thanks for all your shares this week and now I’m sending you hugs and good wishes to you and your family for a blessed Christmas and may 2025 bring you all could hope for, Including massive sales of your new book. 🎄🥳🥂
Hi Sally, thank you for your lovely message. That is a real nuisance about the exchange rate! That said, I'd rather a few days where you are in summer to break the short dark days of December just a little bit