The eighth sin

I am a sinner. At least according to my children, I commit a crime on a regular and continuing basis. I disregard sell by dates on tins and dry goods because I think they are a con trick. And I was not well pleased when on a visit to the Cottage, one of the children to the merriment of his kids, found spices, tins and who knows what else, wich they proceeded to throw in the bin. They were doing me a favour. I was furious!

I was brought up to be thrifty, to eat up what was on my plate and not to throw things away that could be eaen or made into something else. Such habits die hard and my better half moans about my view that old bread has to be eaten up, before a new loaf is started.

And, of course, there are the exotic delicacies that lurk at the back of a shelf. The trouble is, they are enticing but unknown and untried. A present from somebody. But what are Lingonberries and they do come from Fortnum & Mason but what do they taste like and how do you eat them? OK, five years out of date in their pretty glass jar and it's time to bite the bullet. I'll serve them up like olives to nibble but they turn out to be horribly vinegary - one of the ingredients but, guess what, they were quite good cut up and added to a stew. And last year's Stollen was never taken out of its box. There was too much else at Christmas. But i did take it out this Christmas and, heigh ho, it's in perfect condition.

Do I feel guilty? No!