I ordered a slow cooker at the weekend, inspired by the Australian Women's Weekly Slow Cooker recipe book that I bought on holiday. I got my first slow cooker as a wedding present twenty-six years ago, and we did use it quite a lot at the time, but eventually the inner pot broke and we never replaced it. I would like to make some casseroles for week days during the autumn and winter, and according to various websites, using the oven on a low heat is not as effective as using a slow cooker because the temperature is not as low or steady and also a slow cooker is cheaper to heat. Yesterday my new slow cooker arrived - it was a really good price and looks smart. James cynically suggested that I should throw it straight into the bin to save shelf space, since he thinks I won't use it! However today we ate our first meal cooked in it; creamy turkey stew with mustard. It turned out very well and James, Ally and Davie all complimented it, it was nice to have it all ready when I came in and only to have to cook the rice.
I am having a pleasant relaxing evening, James is out with his hill-walking chums in Glasgow and I am about to watch the first episode of Spiral, a French crime series recommended to me by Ewan and Heather. As I sit here in the back room I can see the rain against the windows and the trees in the garden are waving in the wind. It makes me feel very snug and warm. I think I'm going to enjoy watching the different seasons through the French windows.
