The morning after the night before; a canine-related party-planning tip and a recipe for colcannon

Meant to blog yesterday. But alternating shivers, fever, headache and a dinner party to prepare for eight rather ate up my day.

Now - thanks to the new battery in a smoke detector obviously not being a new battery and it's beeping reveille to canine ears, I am over-endowed with time, a sleepy head, and enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning after the night before i.e. my second cup of coffee. Fittingly for my head (not overindulgence at the wine bottle(s), but thick/ill/achey, remember!) the coffee cup is wrapped in a woolly jumper - a sort of comfort-giving visual vibe.

But care is needed, and it's too early for that, or the 'jumper' ends up soggy and your bottom lip all fluffy.

It's only 6.35 a.m. And my two friends are already bored and want to go back outside to terrorise the rabbits. Actually, that's a fanciful thought - it would be good if they did indulge in a spot of rabbit inspired I'm-the-predator-you're-the-prey role play, but they are more likely to scavenge rabbit droppings than chase any bunnies out of the garden.

Pause to muse ... party planning - there's been a lot of it about recently. I haven't read the book, but I wonder if it contains this tip -

For a dinner party untainted with slobber and the aroma of dog farts, gift Four-legged-friend and Bertie Baggins a large butchers' marrow bone. One each. And note with satisfaction when a guest asks, "Do you have dogs? They're very good!"

Third cup of coffee beckons.

And the washing up.

P.S. Do try this at home - colcannon: chop some cabbage and a large leek, toss in olive oil, a little butter and some rosemary and quick roast on a baking tray until soft and slightly brown at the edges; add to a large pan of drained and fluffy boiled potatoes; pour in a small amount of single cream; season with salt and pepper; chuck in another knob of butter; mash. Push mash into a circular mould on a tray lined with baking parchment. Make flat "potato sandcastles" - Littlest's description. Place tray of colcannon cakes in a baking oven for 20-30 minutes to brown; turn half way through cooking. Serve on a bed of swede chips with a casserole of your choice. Smile. Pat yourself on the back. And regret not making enough for leftovers.

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