Mark & Clare Miscellany 2016

Recipe for 2016

Holiday time: 4 weeks
DIY time: 1 year (ongoing)
Preparation time: inadequate

SELECTED INGREDIENTS

for the Holidays

• 18 optimistically purchased train tickets to the Alps for ski trip
• 2 weeks in Italy, tickets purchased within a week of travel

for the DIY

• 8 white cupboard doors and 7 draw fronts
• 11 handles (8 + 7 ?)

for the future

• 1 flat pack cot (nuts and bolts not supplied)
• fluffy knitted cardigans (to season)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the ski trip, put the train tickets in a bowl, divide up among friends and family. When friends and family run out, add strangers from internet forums. Discard remaining two tickets.

2. Set aside hobbies while completing the DIY. Preheat the house with new underfloor heating. Steam wallpaper, tile the floor and paint the walls, ensuring a smooth and even finish. Allow the DIY to rest occasionally. Assemble new kitchen, oiling and sanding the new beech worktop. The kitchen can be enjoyed immediately, preferably while ignoring the incomplete living room/hall/etc.

3. While the DIY is resting, allow some time to go on a holiday to Sicily. Do not allow new pregnancy to interfere with these plans. Climb an active volcano, visit archeological sites, snorkel and enjoy the local cuisine.

4. When the DIY is complete, prepare the parenthood. If the DIY overruns this step will be mostly avoided and postponed until the new year, though do at least attend NCT ante-natal classes.

5. Garnish with Christmas in Durham, hopefully without sudden baby arrival (due mid-January).

Merry Christmas