Downunder we are in the grip of winter... which makes a nice change!
But your post made me long for the warmer months to hurry up & arrive.

Last night had daughter and her BF for dinner (not literally) and as
she hasn't had roast beef in over six weeks (since she moved out) it
was her request that I cook a roast beef.
Discovered on Friday that we had a double booking - tickets to Die
Fledermaus starting at 7.30pm... gads... how does lunch sound Jess?
Fine! So long as I don't have to cook says she.
Started off with pumpkin soup - humoungous butternut pumpkin w/ sauted
onions & veg stock, pureed & served with a swirl of fresh cream,
liberal sprinkling of ground black pepper, sprig of Italian parsley &
warm crusty rolls.
She was grateful for the Litre of soup to take home & reheat too!
Followed 15 minutes later with roast beef (topside) smeared with
wholegrain mustard (after searing) and roasted to medium rare
perfection, roast potatoes, sweet potato (orange variety), more
butternut pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, Yorkshire
puddings & an unctiously luscious gravy!
Dessert was apple pie with shortcrust pastry - as it was a special
dinner for Jess didn't add my usual unsweetened pineapple pieces atop
the apple (which adds a very nice tang by the way) and vanilla ice
cream.
Also made an additional pie for her to take home & cook tonight or
Monday. She LOVES apple pie!
"Lunch" finished around 4pm. and all I can say is thank God for
dishwashers (of the mechanical variety)!!
We all felt replete... and in desperate need of a snooze but it wasn't
to be!
Die Fledermaus was excellent despite crappy reviews from local press.

LadyJane
--
"Never trust a skinny cook!"