Page 99 - COMING UNSTUCK by Sara tuck

When my husband first left I became one complicated processes and multiple dishes.
of those people who sucks the energy out Some of my regular go-to recipes are Friday
of an encounter, totally self-absorbed and night pizza (see p105), beef rendang (see p137)
incapable of seeing outside myself. I dragged and roast side of salmon (see p96). Generally
myself through the early days in a fog of speaking I find entertaining simplest if
self-pity, feeling utterly miserable, crying I serve things that are either thrown together
at the drop of a hat and with no interest in at the last minute (best for a few mates) or
the future. Looking back I feel like I was totally prepared in advance (ideal for bigger
practically leeching the life out of my dearest gatherings). I never, ever ‘plate up’ as I prefer
friends and relatives. for guests to serve themselves exactly as
they wish, and I always finish with a naughty
Thank God for time, because as it inevitably dessert of some sort. Liberal quantities of
passed the days formed a different rhythm, I whisky (or the cocktail of your choice) and
became used to the new normal and started wine, oil the wheels and keep the conversation
contributing to life again. My friends were flowing, but I always have a late-night pot
my support and my anchor, and I was so of tea at the ready too. It’s also handy to have
grateful to find some purpose and a sense of a selection of playlists to choose from so that
normality by cooking for them – for sharing you’re not leaping about constantly changing
that wonderful, patient love they had given the music and you can set the tone right at
me right back. I started inviting people over the start, and my other key secret ingredient
for cosy dinners for three, small casual dinner is lighting. For me soft, subtle, well-placed
parties and even one or two bigger drinks lighting is critical – give me a few candles and
gatherings, and in some ways I found the corner lamps any day – nothing kills the mood
ritual of cleaning and shopping, prepping quicker than harsh light!
and cooking, immensely therapeutic.
But I think the most important thing needed
It doesn’t have to be complicated to share to share the love is to speak it – let people
the love – in fact I often find the simplest know how important they are and how they
things are best. I suggest making life as easy have helped you… and a big snuggy hug never
as possible by going for style and flavour over goes astray either.

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