It has been a disjointed summer for me and probably why I haven’t written as much as I would have liked on Scandineighbour. Four and a half years ago I went to the supermarket close to where we live and heard a family speaking in a very familiar accent. I lingered and feeling brave/ slightly desperate I went over and introduced myself to them eager to make conversation and hear a voice from home. It was the start of an invaluable friendship, a pairing for cups of tea and conversation, dog walks and utter support.
Three and a half years ago I became friends with another mother of two boys and an instant camaraderie was born, a friend with whom I immediately had much in common, as did our children and the two more who would arrive. A friend to cook with, explore with and share mutual feelings as our children lurched from tree top to tree top on outings in Denmark.
Three and a half years ago I became friends with another mother of two boys and an instant camaraderie was born, a friend with whom I immediately had much in common, as did our children and the two more who would arrive. A friend to cook with, explore with and share mutual feelings as our children lurched from tree top to tree top on outings in Denmark.
2012 is the summer of which I have to bid farewell to my two friends as they move on to new adventures, new countries and hopefully wonderful new friendships. As a result I haven’t felt that much like writing, rather more enjoying the moment, making the most of time as well as having a heavy heart at the farewells that linger and challenge my creativity.
Two days ago we ordered a take away and got together to create one last batch of preserves to be shared up and enjoyed in Copenhagen and soon beyond. Between us we have trawled our recipe books over the years looking for recipes to make and have thus far produced a brilliant homemade fresh vegetable stock, pots of the stuff. A fig preserve, delicious with manchego, plum jam, strawberry jam etc etc.
The plan this time was a simple strawberry jam and a more robust redcurrant, chili jam to make the most of the redcurrant season that is upon us currently. But then we sat down with a spread of sushi, a bottle of wine and the evening just passed us by until a toddler appeared somewhat reluctant to miss the party. He joined us for a chat but would have hindered a late night jam considerably so we put the evening to bed. Inspired I awoke the next morning and summoned my boys to the kitchen. Their task? To chop, prepare and make a simple strawberry jam with lemon whilst I tackled the chili and the endless task of readying redcurrant’s. Within two hours we had produced a modest batch of aromatic spicy jam, perfect for a cold meat or slice of manchego and a strawberry jam filled with the taste of warm summer days.
Another ‘farewell’ meal for four friends last night at Patepate in town and a task, to bring a farewell gift that captures your unique friendship in Copenhagen. Not easy when the friend you are to wish farewell has been part of everything you will remember about being here. Which is why two pots of jam seemed actually quite fitting. Filled hopefully with happy memories of afternoons at the stove, babies by our ankles playing with lids and wooden spoons. To recall hours spent picking fruit in the fields north of the city with children worth their weight in berries, fingers stained with juice. Most importantly for me they are filled with love and a gratitude for time shared together, a token of reassurance to have on the table in a new home whilst establishing a new network that will soon become as fulfilling as the one that bids farewell.
It is not goodbye, it is thank you for being here, thank you for the memories, thank you for your friendship.
See you very soon, dear friends
xx
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