'Loosely' Come Dancing

Dear Cathy

I am so pleased to hear that you are alive and kicking - speaking of fancy footwork, it was 'Loosely' Come Dancing last night. No high kicks but a few flicks of the ankles and a couple of heel turns!

In rehearsal, our Foxtrot had ranged from really quite nice to really quite shocking, but since I began suffering from motion sickness about 20 minutes into each session we were not able to spend hours at a time dancing in order to perfect the routine. In the end, we thought that if we looked the part we'd be half way there, and I must say we scrubbed up quite nicely. Unfortunately, Mr Latte and I had to dance first, and my nerves completely got the better of me. Cathy, my heart pounded and my body trembled. The only thing that kept me on my feet was Mr Latte who held his nerve and guided me around the floor. He even managed to lift me at the end of the dance, which the audience seemed to like. What a hero! Other dances included an excellent Jive, a Rumba, a Cha Cha Cha and a Military Two-Step danced by a pantomime dame and her/his (?) side-kick.

There were two judges, Sid Sidebottom who was most ungenerous and scored us 5 (he scored every couple 5 so that was alright). The other judge was very experienced and kept a close eye on the technical aspects of the dance. She was very kind and encouraging, and scored us SE-VEN! A very good score, I thought, considering what a cock-up we made of it. We had been told that the two highest scoring couples would take part in a dance off at the end of the evening, and when the Scottish dancers scored an 8 and the Flamenco dancer scored a 9, I knew I was safe to enjoy my dinner and wash it down with a few buckets of Pinot Grigio. However, it turns out I had misunderstood. The audience was asked to vote for their favourite routines after dinner and the top two couples had to dance off, and you guessed it, the Lattes had to dance again! I have to say that I think we made a slightly better job of it second time around because I really didn't care by then, and everyone seemed to enjoy our performance. Alas, the glitter ball did not come our way, but neither of us fell over and we helped raise much needed funds for a local childrens' charity.

My baking has enjoyed highs and lows this month. The highs were the fabulous flapjacks I made. I think you can appreciate the quality from the picture.

My halloween pumpkin shaped cakes were less successful. They didn't bake as one would expect and they stuck to the silicone bakeware that I purchased specially. A Halloween Horror!

I tried two batches and all the cakes stuck fast, a problem I have never encountered with good old fashioned tins and greaseproof paper. They were stuck so hard, that Little Latte resorted to eating them out of the moulds with a teaspoon! Do you have any experience with silicone Cathy?

That's all for now. I'm off for a well-earned rest. I do hope that little Chino if coping with his nut allergy. Are you sure he's not just putting it on to avoid your baking dear???

Lucy x

Totally nutty

Dear Lucy,
How long it has been! I am ashamed of my lack of support for you in your hour of need. Home improvement upheavals, aged relative relocation AND the challenge of learning to foxtrot all in a matter of weeks and without the support of your old friend. I am so sorry. I do hope that it has all sorted itself out and that your home is tidy and spacious enough to practise your routine in. How I envy you the opportunity to learn to dance; the last time I took lessons was about 10 years ago...

Mr Chino and I had the opportunity for a weekly night out following the birth of Chino-child number 1; Grandma Chino came over every Wednesday to babysit for two days, so we sashayed on down to a local hostelry, the upstairs room of which was the venue for Salsa lessons and the scene of the destruction of my illusions. I had always imagined myself to be rather a good dancer, but I became aware, in no uncertain terms, that I can neither follow instructions nor anyone's lead! Do you remember "Steptoe and Son"? When Harold was taught to ballroom dance by his father? On a night out with a lady he took her in his arms, the music began and they both danced backwards away from each other! He had been taught the woman's steps! If only I had been so successful... Mr Chino and I argued that it was the other who was in the wrong but, eventually, I was forced to concede that it was I. And now 'Strictly' season is upon us again and I am dreaming of sequinned frocks and Anton, but inside I know it will never be me in his arms. I do so hope that you and Mr Latte are fairing better.

As usual, I am missing more television than I manage to catch, but I did see a few Bake-offs and found them to be very good, the men were so dominant this series. They were so imaginative; I can't see myself knocking up anything as exotic as they did, although I did make a very yummy chocolate cake for the Chino twins' birthday, but it was eaten before it was possible to photograph it. It will sound very silly, but I made butter cream for the first time EVER! Very tasty it was, too, and everyone ate it.

Unfortunately, we are having to check every food label, now, however, as one of the Chino twins has been diagnosed as allergic to pistachios and cashews. We have been advised to avoid nuts altogether and now carry antihistamine and an Epipen wherever we go. It's such a faff but, as there is a risk of anaphylaxis, absolutely necessary; we know he is allergic,  but there's no telling how severe a reaction he might have. Who knew there were nuts in so many things?

I do hope that you are well and hope to hear from you sooner than you heard from me.
Much love, Cathy x