This shot is appropriate in all sorts of ways tonight. I was sitting eating my Christmas dinner last night – and yes, folks, I did, by some small miracle (if I believed in miracles) dream up an invention for us to have as the centre-piece of our dinner, which even got served at the rudely early hour of 8pm. Probably the first time we’ve eaten at such an early hour (other than when my folks are here) for just about ever.

What was this feast? Well, it was a batch of cannellini beans that were in the fridge from a big batch I’d soaked and cooked earlier in the week, mashed up with veggie parmesan (I know this is a contradiction in terms, but the Twineham Grange version of the classic Italian cheese is wonderful and absolutely veggie), onions, garlic, an egg and some flour then baked in the oven. It was completely yummie. (Hurrah)

So much so that we’re having it again tonight (and if we’d hated it the dogs would be getting it) but tonight it’ll be served with different ‘stuff’ – most notably a chilli and cranberry sauce that started life as cranberry and apple yesterday and has had honey and chilli added today.

Anyway, the point of the title is that DM has had his nose stuck into a book all day – one of those Richard Dawkins tomes about where we all came from. Well, what do you expect from a Darwinist? He’s read out a bit to me about how Jurassic Park was too sci-fi but that some scientists in Siberia are excavating (if that’s the right word) a woolly mammoth and are hoping to extract its DNA and impregnate an elephant to carry the little throwback to term!

JP then isn’t so far from the truth as to have scientists saying ‘don’t be ridiculous’!

I, on the other hand have had my nose stuck in the two volumes of 'is it just me or is everything shit?', which were pressies from my folks. I have been chortling out loud at some of the rants and must say, most I agree with wholeheartedly....well, except for the one about Lush that is!!!

Coming back to the connection between these elephant candle holders, real elephants and woolly mammoths then, these two were looking rather sweet in the candle light last night, coming out of the fake jungle that’s made up of hacked off bits of evergreen plants from the garden, while I was in full-on home-maker frenzy on Christmas eve. There’s ivy, holly, myrtle and bay…..and don’t tell anyone but there are some of those little hairy balls too.

Thanks go to Jan – my little sis who gave me the elephant candle holders…..especially for suggesting we stop doing pressies ‘because we’re both crap at it’ (her words, not mine), even though I agree wholeheartedly. They go too to DM who encourage me to prostrate myself across the dining table to get closer to my subject because he wanted the flames out of the shot……and it gave me a wood-fondling moment so who am I to argue?

Santa was on the piste last year!