My first thought on Boxing Day (when Youngest Daughter texted to say she had woken up ill and I'd started sneezing on Christmas Eve and had gradually got worse through Christmas Day and Son texted to say Youngest granddaughter had an ear infection and DiL had tonsillitis) was to burst into tears!! ......I didn't!............ that would have been silly.
My second thought was OMG what to do with all the food that was ready for 5 adults and 3 children!
It was the meat things that were a problem as the vegetarian sausage wreath and Quorn loaf were still safely in the freezer. I cooked the pigs-in-blankets and suggested BiL popped over yesterday to pick up some of those and some of the cooked ham and the sausage rolls. (and I discovered when I tried to talk to him that I'd lost my voice!)
That worked well - he took away enough for 3 or 4 days. The rest of the ham was sliced and popped into the freezer.
I roasted lots of the carrots, parsnips and potatoes and divided into plated meals for three days and some into the freezer, the rest went back into the fridge for later in the week along with the broccoli head re-wrapped in cling film . The Brussels sprouts were pretty small anyway and, by eating lots, they only made a couple of meals for me. (Luckily they don't have THAT effect on me!)
I'd pre-made a bowl of bread sauce, mainly for Youngest Daughter who loves it, so that went into the freezer - hopefully will be OK when defrosted and re heated.
The Banoffee biscuit base went back into the freezer too and the Double cream.
A chocolate swiss roll had been iced with butter icing to make a Yule Log - That went into the freezer on its Holly and Ivy cake stand. The cheese straws, mince pies, Suffolk rusks and loaf of sliced bread were only out of the freezer for an hour so went back in again.
The cheeses all had good dates on them so they are OK.
Think that means nothing has been wasted
It's worked out OK after all....................phew.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Wow, you did well to sort all that out with no waste. I'm envious of other folks ability to digest sprouts with no ill effects , wish I could eat 'em but can't - we did find the Aldi ad amusing - the one with ' trumpeting ' sprouts 😉
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I feel sorry for sprouts, they get a bad press!
DeleteVery good storing, certainly won’t be short of things to eat for a while. Better though than everyone picking up more illnesses.
ReplyDeleteHopefully everything will be Ok to pull out of the freezer later
DeleteThank the Lord for freezers! You've been very efficient there - making the most of what could have been a lonely miserable day with some purposeful activity. And when they DO get here, there will be good food awaiting them
ReplyDeleteHope everything keeps OK - I've never frozen cooked ham before so we shall see.
DeleteIt sounds like there were no ifs or buts about it, everybody was too ill to attend full stop. Glad you were able to deal with the food. I bought a freezer a year ago and feel spoilt with it as I don't really have the use for it like you do.
ReplyDeleteI would be in a muddle without freezers
DeleteIt is harder this time of year to ensure no food is wasted, we sorted our fridge and put everything into date order, the family came on Boxing day, so loads went then. I hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteLots better again thanks - hope I stay that way this time
DeleteWell rescued, nothing gone to waste and most things available for a 'Boxing Day' another time. Thank goodness for freezers. I hope you are feeling a bit better now.
ReplyDeleteThank Goodness for the freezer is what I said too
DeleteWell I am sorry that everyone was unwell. Hope everyone is now recovering well. Good moves on the food, hate to see any food wasted, especially as it now costs so much. The media are now reporting that food has risen by 25%, something I had been saying for ages, they were insisting on reporting that it was 9 or 10%. Makes me wonder if they are now telling the truth or has it risen more?
ReplyDeleteHopefully all will be well again very soon
DeleteThank goodness I only had to do all that with my head and eyes rather than with my arms and legs!!!
ReplyDeleteLots of sorting to do for sure - I rested in between
DeleteWe had a similar exercise here and will enjoy our Christmas one day soonish, hopefully.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder how we ever stayed well in previous years - I think Covid has much to answer for
Deletelol My first reaction would have been what you mentioned as your second- what on earth am I going to do with all this food! Good management skills to the fore and you had it sorted quickly. Hope you are all recovering/ed now.
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas Day weather wasn’t as warm as hoped for (in fact coldest wettest for years, no sun to be seen) so we had to change menus - picnic salads plus extras back in the fridge - stay at home soup from the freezer along with crusty rolls, , Christmas pudding with hot custard for afters. Just the two of us so we managed.
Our weather here is much milder than usual in parts of the country with snow in Scotland, floods and gales elsewhere - Not crisp and frosty at all
DeleteOh my word what a masterclass in damage limitation. Sorry to learn you had to cancel at last minute. There must have been a lot of illness around and quite a few plans have had to b remade.
ReplyDeleteIve had that happen, but not with such a big group coming. It’s hugely disappointing of course especially at Christmas. You did really well saving the food. I hope they get to visit soon. Here we have flu,covid and the. RSV virus which are filling our hospitals and particularly with young babies seriously ill with the RSV virus. Our hospitals are really struggling with huge wait times. I hope they all recover and set a new date. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteJust hearing on the radio today that a vaccination for the RSV is to be given in this country soon. I had to look up what it was
DeleteYou improvise well. Your great freezer space and quick thinking has saved the holiday food for a gathering when everyone is feeling well. I think you found the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteI hope it will all be edible - I seemed to eat too much meat over that last few days
DeleteYes, thank goodness for freezers! I've cut up the leftover ham and popped that into my freezer to save for casseroles, omelets or split pea soup!
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't get to celebrate with your group but hopefully, all of you will be feeling better soon and can reschedule!
Everyone is gradually getting better thank goodness
DeleteYou'll be together soon and it was wonderfully generous to share. I know that gift was tremendously appreciated. I'm seeing a lot of sick this week and fingers are crossed that this time it won't include me! Happy Rest-Of-Holidays!
ReplyDeleteEveryone here knows someone who is ill or was ill or just about to be ill!
DeleteSuch s shame your family couldn't come, but you sorted out the food and will have some tasty meals in the coming weeks. Hope you all will be feeling a lot better soon.
ReplyDeleteCheese freezes very well in my experience. I have had it improve cheese.
ReplyDeleteSorry plans had to be cancelled and hope everyone gets well soon.
i hope you can all get together in the near future x
ReplyDeleteYou must have a BIG freezer---a separate unit?
ReplyDeleteYou had prepared a wonderful feast. I'm glad you were able to save it. Sprouts do affect me but I love them so eat them anyway.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry there is so much sickness this time of year. I hope you are doing well and glad no food went to waste
ReplyDeleteCathy
What a dilemma, but sounds like you've got it sorted (I guess you have a large freezer?). Hope you are feeling better now :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you managed to get it all worked out and the food wasn't wasted. It must have been so much of a disappointment though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame but I'm glad you sorted everything out and I hope you are all back to full strength and fitness very quickly. xx
ReplyDelete