Tackling September's Theme

It's been a tricky theme and with the next dinner now less than a week away I'm starting to panic when I should actually be relaxing. In my attempts so far I have managed to glue my eye together with a face mask and then I fell down the stairs...what can I say it's not really going very well. Any tips or suggestions to help me chill out then please leave a comment...they will be greatly appreciated!

Catherine xx

September's Theme

Sit back, relax, chill out, kick back, unwind, take it easy, hang loose, mellow out…

…whatever you want to call it. This month is dedicated to the art of relaxation. Maybe try a new way to do it or stick to your tried and tested ways. Be prepared to share your experiences with the group.

August's Meeting

August is always a tricky month for the Intellectual Dinner Club, someone is always going on holiday or doing something exciting and so it was only natural that we decided to move the next dinner in to September. We did the same thing last year...although the memory of that is quite disturbing...an empty restaurant, Jamiroquai playing on a loop and a nice big hair in our chocolate brownie dessert! This year however the restaurant looked more promising, a friendly pub set in the picturesque village of Thurstonland, which promised us a homely atmosphere with some good pub grub!

Caviar of the North!

The first couple of weeks in September had been hard and we were all feeling slightly exhausted from hectic weeks at work. In some ways it was no real surprise that Amanda had decided that for the first time ever she just couldn't face a night out, and so Caroline, Phoebe, Danielle and I made our way around the windy roads of Holmfirth towards the Rose and Crown. We were greeted at the door by a little dog who willingly accepted our cuddles as we slowly made our way over to the bar. The staff were friendly and relaxed and the restaurant was buzzing with people enjoying themselves. This looked good! It was the first time that we had seen Dani since the magazine article came out and so of course we brought a copy with us to once again laugh at our picture and dissect the other groups featured. We all agreed that the magazine had saved the best group until last! Amanda's absence was strange...there was something a little unsettling about not having her with us...who would argue with Dani? Purse their lips in disapproval? Order a latte? It just wasn't the same. We ordered our food from the blackboard and squealed with delight when we discovered that we could have three courses for the bargain price of just £13.95! We were all starving and so we decided to order up big! Phoebe and I ordered creamy garlic mushrooms, Caroline the vegetable soup and Dani ordered the chicken liver pate of course. They all arrived quickly and we delved in to the mountain of delicious food. For our mains it was a unanimous decision 'Caviar of the North' as the waitress put it...or rather fish and chips. It was a good choice, although a rather large choice...gigantic chips accompanied a Moby Dick sized fish topped with mushy peas, tartar sauce and lemon wedges (to add an exotic twist!) The food was delicious and given the price we were definitely getting our money's worth...with excellent service thrown in too.

Our conversation tonight had somehow turned to growing old...depressing I know but with Dani there it had started to become hilarious. We all discussed what we would be like as old women...Phoebe would be a straw hat wearing, rosy cheeked, slightly senile old lady, whilst it was determined that I would be a Marks and Spencer loyalist, wearing my odd clothing covered in flower prints, a rain bonnet for every occasion and wrinkly pop socks. Caroline wouldn't change a bit...still youthful but with a full head of silver hair.  Danielle would be exactly as she is now but old...trapped in the noughties with her style, energetic, flirting with the old men and wheeling a very old and grumpy Amanda around in her wheel chair...the pair of them still arguing and debating! Amanda when not in her chair complaining would be speeding around on her shop mobility scooter, knocking people out of the way...not a care in the world...but still looking fabulous of course! Our conversation carried on throughout dessert, sticky toffee pudding and raspberry tarts all served with cream. It seemed wrong to be squeezing a pudding in but it was included in the price and so was absolutely necessary.

 And so we turned to our theme 'Discover Your Inner Child' as selected by Danielle. It had taken me a while to figure out how I was going to approach this theme and after begging my husband to take me to Moomin Land whilst we were on holiday, and failing to convince him it was vital for the successful completion of my theme, I settled on a project that I had started a few years ago called 'Mr Cow.' As a little girl I always loved writing and illustrating my own stories so I dug out some old pictures I had drawn of a well loved toy called Mr Cow. For my theme I produced a picture book, which told the story of Mr Cow the travelling cow and I presented it by reading my book to the girls and introducing them to the real Mr Cow at the end of the story...who was quietly hiding in the bottom of my bag. I loved this theme and couldn't wait to see how the others had approached it. Phoebe went back to her childhood days of Saturday morning television, sitting in front of the TV, her T-shirt pulled over her knees and eating her cereal. Phoebe talked about how she discovered a new kids TV program called 'Almost Naked Animals!' But it still didn't compare to the days of Button Moon, Thundercats (Hooooooo!), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and

Fun House...complete with Pat Sharpe and his big, long, hairy mullet! Caroline had prepared her theme before she jetted off to Barbados (she just had to remind us for the millionth time that she had been to Barbados) and talked about the childhood excitement of going on family holidays to Scarborough. Packing up all of their things, which usually ended up being four T-shirts and a pair of knickers. The smell of the hotel, donkey rides on the beach and playing bingo in the arcades. Even thirty years later she still gets the same excitement and anticipation before going on holiday as she did as a child...but then you would if you were going to Barbados, all-inclusive with cocktails served on the beach at ten thirty in the morning! Finally Danielle presented her theme and in true Danielle style she admitted she hadn't done it...tonight she was free styling! Dani admitted that even now she still considers herself to be a child...her holiday this year was to Disneyland, she watches a Disney movie nearly every day and earlier this week she had thrown a huge temper tantrum. So she decided to turn the theme around and find her outer adult...it's time to grow up a bit she said. But before she finished she told us some stories about her childhood...and then presented us all with a ginger bread man, because that's what her Mum always bought her as a little girl when they were out shopping.

It was time to pay the bill and make our way home. It had been another fantastic evening, despite Amanda's absence and we had tried to make the best of it even though it felt strange to be there without her. A few more cuddles with the dog as we left and we descended into the dark, chilly night, our bellies full and feeling content. We climbed into the car as Phoebe frantically searched for her glasses only to realise she had never brought them with her. What were we saying about the slightly senile Phoebe as an old lady...could it have begun already?  Another month had been put to bed, personally it had been a difficult one and I was glad to say goodbye, but knowing that we have the Intellectual Dinner Club at the end of each month gets me through the difficult times. I just hope that next month we will all be back together...here in our honey pot for any kind of bee! ;-)

Catherine xx

Missing our Amanda!

August's Theme

With less than a week to go I think I've set myself an over ambitious task to find my inner child. I'm slightly worried...I don't know how I'm going to get this done. We've put the dinner back a bit, which is why we are having August's dinner in September. We have all been away, Caroline finally returned from a very la-dee-da holiday in Barbados on Tuesday with a very nice tan but horrible jet-lag so we thought it only fair we postpone our next dinner. This you would think would give me plenty of time to finish the theme but sadly not...it's going to be a last minute rush to try and piece my inner child together. For the first time ever I may have to present a half complete theme...I'm so ashamed! I can't wait for Thursday...I'm so excited to be back with the girls and I'm really intrigued to know what they have done for their themes and how they've all found their inner child. I've definitely found mine...in fact I don't think it ever went away!

Catherine xx

Thinking about this month's theme

For this months theme we have to "find our inner child" and throw off the shackles of adult life. We can do something that takes 10 minutes or 10 hours - we just have to make sure that we document it ready for the next meeting.

I thought that I would find an old photo of me as a little girl just to remind myself. So here I am sporting a gorgeous little orange number and carrying it off with real style.

Amanda xxx

Sainsbury's Magazine

The wait is over as this months Sainsbury’s magazine is now out, and we are in there. Our club is featured in an article that looks at a new wave of inspirational and modern women’s clubs, so be sure to go and get yourself a copy.

As followers of our blog will know, the photo shoot for the article took place at The Three Acres and we would all like to say a massive thank you to the staff there for making the day so special.

The magazine came out on Wednesday and our local branch of Sainsbury’s must have been rather bemused as we each excitedly went in and purchased multiple copies of the magazine. That evening we decided to celebrate in style when Caroline invited us all round to her place for ‘fish & chips and champagne’. We may have had a taste of fame but we won’t forget our roots.

July's Meeting

It had been a hot and sunny day and as we drove to tonight’s destination it was still very warm although the grey, cloud-covered sky seemed to be threatening rain. We were headed to a pub that none of us had ever been to before, but we’d heard good things on the culinary grapevine so there was much excitement about the evening ahead.

I was this month’s designated driver and had prepared thoroughly by writing down my list of Google directions – despite leaving these at home on the sideboard this didn’t hinder us at all, and the four of us arrived bang on time with not a single wrong turn. (Danielle was meeting us there). The Gray Ox is set back on a country road with far reaching views over Hartshead Moor. Through an ivy-laced entrance the thing that caught everyone’s attention was a rather large stuffed animal head mounted on the wall. We couldn’t quite decide what it was but settled on buffalo. On reflection, and given where we were, it was of course an Ox. 

A Symphony in Blue



We headed to the bar for drinks and to let them know we had arrived. The place was busy with diners and drinkers (we’d only just managed to squeeze in our booking). The waitress showed us where our table was, said she’d left menus on it, and then left us to make our own way over to the large rectangular wooden table. After a little difficulty we managed a seating arrangement that everyone was happy with, we opened our menus and then reminded each other that this time next week our faces will be gracing the pages of Sainsbury’s magazine. A ripple of excitement and sheer terror worked its way around the table.

The conversation touched on many subjects including our first witches spell when Danielle, upon discovering what she concluded to be a wart on her elbow, sold it to Catherine for 5p to make it disappear. All of this meant that when the waitress came we hadn’t got beyond opening our menus.

After sharing a pre-starter bread board we did manage to concentrate long enough to place our orders and Danielle, the only one to order a starter, was soon happily tucking in to her chicken liver pâté. We all had a taste and agreed that it was delicious. By the time our mains arrived we were more than ready. Catherine and Caroline both had ‘Pan Roast Duck Breast’ which they were advised would be served pink. However, upon tasting, it proved to be well done and dry; Danielle had ‘Fish and Chips; Phoebe had ‘Pan Fried Salmon Fillet’ which was sadly missing its asparagus; and I had ‘Pork Fillet’, which I inspected thoroughly after realising Phoebe was missing a part of her meal. My apple puree was nowhere to be seen! At this point we realised that things were not going as well as expected. We all expect a certain level of service and tonight’s’ seemed to be falling short. The mistakes would have barely mattered if they’d been dealt with in a polite and courteous manner but we felt that we were causing too much trouble as waitresses huddled together and threw us furtive glances. Phoebe did receive a dish of asparagus and I a dish of apple sauce, but both were handed over with sullen expressions and insincere apologies. This was a real shame as I enjoyed my meal and the belly pork that accompanied my fillet had the perfect crispy skin. Then when a tray of drinks was brought to the table the waitress pushed my glass down as far as she could reach, instead of walking round to me with it, and Phoebe had to hand it the rest of the way. I might have awarded points for style if she’d made that extra effort and slid it saloon style down the length of the table. But we were getting the distinct impression that we weren’t welcome; and we noticed that other people were getting a far more pleasant service so it wasn’t a general attitude.

I’m a slow eater and by the time I’d finished my meal it was getting quite late. Most importantly we still had our themes to present; usually this doesn’t happen until after dessert but tonight we were going to break with tradition. The theme I’d given out a month ago had seemed like a good idea at the time but most of us had struggled somewhat and my mind had been on other things so I felt I hadn’t done my best.

The title of the theme was ‘Nature Studies’ and as I hadn’t managed to get out there and truly connect with the earth I did a little study of my own patch of nature that I see every day from my window. I presented a photographic journey from the tiny lilac ivy-leaved toadflax that valiantly grow through cracks in the wall next to my front door to the clump of yellow welsh poppies that spring up next to my garage. Danielle went for a walk in the woods with her four dogs as it’s a relaxing pastime that she loves. She presented a little booklet with photographs and full biographies and character traits of each dog. Phoebe concluded that she hates “too much” nature thanks to a camping trip gone wrong. The fantasy of sitting amongst nature and happily painting was replaced by the reality of a small cold tent in the pouring rain and a desire to just go home. Once at home and seated comfortably in a friends garden with a glass of wine in hand she saw the beauty of a huge red poppy, its size and bold colour defying its tissue-paper frailty, and was inspired to continue a painting of poppies from a theme of a couple of years ago.

 Catherine set out rather intrepidly for a walk in the woods where she found herself stuck on a ridge, clinging onto a spiky tree and startled by some strange beast which she concluded must have been a wolf. But she made it safely home meeting a buzzing bee and a smiling duck along the way. The part of nature that really inspires Caroline is trees. When at home she loves to go upstairs and listen to the sounds they make. As well as doing a lovely picture with very creative use of an old wedding invitation, she showed us pictures of trees from a book about Japan. I think Caroline will one day live in Japan; she’ll be a compliant geisha by day and a fierce warrior by night.

Desserts had been consumed as we worked our way through the themes but they had failed to impress and a pervading smell of meat had been somewhat off-putting.

After discussing weird crushes (I don’t think I have one) and who is most likely to take a lover; and finding out that Catherine’s husband considers himself to be an earthy, sensual lover; the Ox was now almost empty. It was time to depart. Outside was dark. The rain had arrived so I hurried to my car, forgetting that Danielle would not be coming with us, and wondered what was taking everyone so long. They were saying their goodbyes – ‘sorry Dannie!’

The last month had its difficulties and I was really unhappy about the theme. This all contributed to me feeling like not going to the meeting tonight. And in terms of service, it wasn’t the best night ever, but I really loved being with the ladies and I’m so glad that we have our little group and I’m so glad that I was there.

Amanda xxx