Sasha Distan

It has become winter here. All of a sudden, overnight on Sunday just past, it has become winter. We seem to have run out of seasons and are down to just two: winter (which is wet: containing mists and drips, slithers and chills but isn't particularly cold) and summer (which was short and absolutely sweltering). Yesterday, there seemed like nothing better to do than make the house smell warm and full of food. I made bread, a big loaf for us and a miniature one for my father, and while is was proving went back to the farm and gave Copper his dinner. My father even managed to call and say thank you, which is almost unheard of. And then, I made Minted Lamb Stew with Herby Dumplings, the recipe for which is below. It was delicious, succulent, and earned me extra kisses for the husband who declared the figure sat next to him on the sofa as "a single unit of best chef". I did well. Feeds four. For the stew: half a leg of lamb 5 large carrots a red onion 3 pints water 5th jar mint sauce 6 garlic cloves 3 tbsp gravy browning 3 tsp arrowroot Bone out the leg of lamb and place in a stock pot with the water. Simmer on low for 3 hours and discard the bone. Pour stock into a large casserole dish and whisk in the gravy browning Cube the lamb. Fry the pieces off in olive oil and transfer to the casserole dish. Add the mint sauce Place the casserole in a warm oven (150 degrees C, Gas Mark 5) for an hour or so. Cut the carrots into uneven trapezoid chunks. Fry using the pan the lamb was in, add the diced onion and saute gentle. Caramelize with a big knob of butter until glossy. Remove casserole dish from the oven, add garlic cloves whole and onion, carrots and frying pan juices. Stir and add salt and pepper. Put casserole back in oven for an hour-ish and turn up the temperature to 170. Mix the arrowroot with a small amount of water and stir into the casserole to thicken. For the dumplings: 200g plain flour salt and pepper 200g suet 4 tsp mixed herbs (I use a combination of rosemary and basil) Water to mix Mix the ingredients into a thick soft dough and coat you hands with flour to stop them sticking. Divide into 8 even sized dumplings. Place the dumplings on the stew and with the casserole lid half-off, place in the hot oven for another 30-40 mins. Serve with buttered kale and cold cider.

thanks very much! I am so glad you are enjoying the story and that you have left a review. Do come join us in the discussion forum, it's good fun.

“Hey Shas,” Kieran stretched as he stood in the doorway, the dogs milling around his feet. “Morning,” Shastan smiled to his orange juice, and then glanced up suddenly, “you’ve been out already?” “Yeah.” Kieran tore off his t-shirt and used it to wipe the sweat from his forehead and neck. “We went for a run.” “It’s only half seven now.” Shastan frowned looking at the dogs as they alternately dropped onto the cool stone tile floor or stuck their muzzles into the oversized steel water trough. Th

that is good, isn't it? Bravo. I feel bad for him, for them both.

Multiple entries are bad for street cred, good for readers. I have 4 this week, my street cred is ruined.

thanks ma.if you owned two teenage boys would you trust them with locks on their doors?

ooh, that's some strong hate there. I wouldn't like to be Alexander right now.I can tell you nothing, other than that they might be happy. Everything else is a secret.

we ain't ever gonna beat those damn maroon bastards at this rate. (yes, yes, I do actually love you all)

oh dear! deep ditch if it ended up around her ankles. poor thing. fire the mechanic.

I can only throw and catch citrus fruit. hand me a tennis ball and all is lost.

I'm sorry sweetie. I'm sure you can always come and visit them though. Maybe we'll even put out a paperback edition so they can come live on your bookshelves.Luke heart was never really in the swim team, he'll cope without them.

I think he may now have learnt that after the second time.

thank you Joann. sexy and sweet is my favourite!

excellent! we will now keep you hooked and wanting for several weeks!

thanks LBO!Gary just has the worse timing huh? Mark and Jay will have to learn how to wedge the door shut.

I never knew that was a song. Thank you my friend, and don't worry. I have.

all the tough guys are gooey in the centre.I'm glad you enjoyed it hun.

Writer's die a lot. Death, that thing that cannot be known beforehand: writers can be said to experience it often. They are often little deaths, small hard moments of pain which pass soon, but in the moment they are with us, they are all to real. We die when he kill off a character, we die softly and quietly inside when they say goodbye to us, we ache with pain when our muses refuse to release them to our waiting fingertips. Depending on how much one writes, and on how long those stories last, a writers can die several times a year. Fans of Direct Confusion will know just what I am speaking off, for many of you died along with Greg several chapters ago. For me, that pain was written a long time ago now, but even though I was in charge of the words as they came (for a certain value of the phrase 'in charge') it was like getting punched through the chest. And now there is a different death. Those who know me or have read interviews will know my general claim of not knowing my plot until it happens: the work is character driven, and boy are my characters often driven. But the end of this particular novella snuck up on me unexpectedly. I finished writing a chapter of A Wolf and His Man, and as i opened the next word document, I knew with an awful clarity, that the next chapter would be the last. So, I did the mature and sensible thing, and procrastinated as much as possible to avoid having to say goodbye. But say goodbye I did. Last night I wrote those closing words, and felt a combination of two emotions. A high bright burning joy that I was finished, done, complete; and a deep mourning for the friends that I had lost. Oli and Boris will go on with their lives, but I won't be there. I believe that this parting is a very sad one particularly, because I first penned the story concept of A Wolf and His Man something like 6 or 7 years ago. I am glad I waited, because it is a better story now than it would have been if I had written it just out of my teen years. It is a little death, one that will not hurt for long, and the shouting of other characters in my brain will help to wear down the sharp edges of the loss until visiting Oli and Boris again will not be so painful. And Kieran Tristan Toyne does shout very loudly.

he's a nice guy huh? I can only imagine how weirded out he'd be after the second time... they were fun characters to play with for sure.

Thank you Ron. It was fun to write.

enchanted would have been easier. genetically malfunctioned is way worse.

“Can you give me one reason why I should believe you?” “Because this isn’t what it looks like. Really,” I wince. “Are you sure?” Gary looks down at me, and from my perspective, he’s standing on the ceiling, “’cause from here it kinda looks like you were getting a blow job from my best friend.” It is at this point that Mark coughs none too discreetly, jumps to his feet and straightens his lust-rumpled clothes. He grins at me quickly and I cover my beet-red face with one hand, still trying to m

*pins 348 down and straddles him* I got it! Edit: Done! Coitus Interruptus

Well, Bay could have reacted better too, one of those awful situations where pretty much everyone is at fault somewhere.I am so glad you enjoyed them. If you've not started yet, I advise you to move onto Unexpected Liaisons next. it's the follow up. Both books are available as a twin release paperback, just in case you wondered.

It's not wrong that you want Oli to confront his dad.and no, you can't have anymore until next week. sorry.