Looks, love, loss and alfresco food in this week's Heyday Friday newsletter
Pondering looking older, watching an unforgettably powerful drama, cooking the perfect outdoor dinner, and preparing for a wedding, in your newsletter this week
Hello there. How do you feel about how you look at (I could have said ‘for’ but I very deliberately didn’t for reasons that will be clear) your age?
I rummage through and share my my thoughts about that in this week’s blog, prompted by a new social media campaign - #ilookmyage - and comments from a Hollywood actress who’s had the apparent audacity to let her gorgeous trademark hair go grey (shock horror).
Find out who she is, what she said and what my feelings are about the external business of ageing by CLICKING HERE
Do you agree with them I wonder?
WORDS OF WISDOM
There are a clutch of fantastic quotes about ageing from founder of the Women of the World festival and former Artistic Director of the Southbank, Jude Kelly, in THIS BLOG, including this one
THIS WEEK I’VE BEEN…..WATCHING
None of us get to older age untouched by grief and heartache. And this week I finally managed to catch up with this 4-part BBC drama which aired to huge critical acclaim earlier this month and which focuses on the hardest and most heartbreaking experience any parent could possibly face. The decision about whether to stop treatment for their desperately ill, disabled teenage child.
Critics heaped praise on the achingly believable acting of Sharon Horgan - showing her performing versatility in a rare straight role - and Michael Sheen - as dependably skillful as always - as the parents of 13 year old muscular dystrophy sufferer Marni. And they were equally enthused about the performing skill of upcoming young actress Niamh Moriarty - who has cerebal palsy and for whom this surely must have been as gruelling a part as any she’s played so far - as Marni, and Alison Oliver as her inevitably somewhat neglected and at times resentful older sister Katie.
I couldn’t agree with them more. Or with the plaudits for the heart-wrenchingly relatable script by award-winning Jack Thorne and the performances of the rest of the top-notch cast.
It’s not a spoiler to reveal that the parents take very different views about the decision whether to turn off Marni’s life support after she suffers catastrophic brain damage following a cardiac arrest, but I challenge you not to feel profound sympathy for both of their perspectives, or to stay dry eyed as the results of the court case that eventually decides her future, play out.
Best Interests isn’t an easy watch, but it is a deeply moving one suffused with love in all its forms, flawed and fierce.
You can watch BEST INTERESTS on BBC iPlayer
And see a trailer for the series HERE
We’ve had a proper taste of summer in London over the past week, which has meant I’ve finally been able to make full use of the new table and chairs in my redesigned garden which has exploded in a flurry of flowering finery (the pic was taken a few weeks ago when the set first arrived and the wisteria was at its best).
I spent a happy warm evening enjoying dinner with friends last week at which I served one of the Mindful Chef meal I’d particularly enjoyed. It’s very straightforward and all cooked in one roasting tray, so there’s virtually no washing up, and the tapenade can be - indeed ideally needs to be - prepared well in advance.
(Admission : I completely forgot to take a pic of the dish IRL, so this slightly grainy one is from the Mindful Chef recipe sheet)
WHITE FISH MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE TRAYBAKE WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER TAPENADE
This amount will serve two people. The tapenade takes about 15 mins to prepare and the fish 45 mins from start to finish.
For the tapenade
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 3 garlic cloves, peeled and cook uncovered until just tender (between 6 and 8 mins). Drain and pat dry.
Put 2 cups of tinned roasted sweet red peppers, drained, 1/2 cup of blanched almonds, 1/3 cup of tomato paste, 2tbsp olive oil, 1/4tsp of salt and 1/4tsp pepper into a food processor and process until fully blended.
Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
For the fish traybake
Preheat the oven to 240C/220C fan/gas mark 9
Slice 2 medium size white potatoes into 1/2cm thick half moons. Put in a large roasting tray and toss with 1tbsp oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 10 mins.
Slice 1 courgette into 2cm thick half moons, Cut 1 onion into 6 wedges. When the potatoes have been roasting for 10 mins, add these and 4tsp garlic paste to the pan and toss with 1/2tbsp olive oil and a bit more salt. Roast for another 15-20 mins, tossing halfway.
Halve 110g seasonal mixed small tomatoes, and after 15-20 mins add them to the roasting tray along with 40g baby spinach. Place two white fish fillets (I’ve made this with hake and cod and they work equally well) on top and drizzle with 1/2tsp oil and season with salt. Bake for a final 8-10 mins until the fish is cooked through.
Serve with the tapenade spooned on top of each of the fish fillets
As I mentioned at the end of last week’s newsletter, if you’re reading this on Friday I’ll be at my lovely sis’s wedding. Not sure I’ll share this
FRIDAY FUNNY
quote from American actress Cameron Esposito with her. But I might!
I’m delighted to say that mum is home from hospital and rehab and doing remarkably well, so will definitely be there too. Phew!
Will tell you all about it next time.
See you then.
If that's what looking old looks like (photo of Diane Kenwood), sign me up!!!