Regular followers of mine will know that I've been toying with the idea of a Mummy Misfit spin-off and, thanks to your hugely positive responses, I've decided to go ahead with 'Mummy Misfit Entertains' - parties for paupers.
Remember the Pippa Middleton book 'Celebrate' that hit the shelves last year and bombed? Well it won't be like that! Partly because I won't be fortunate enough to be lured by a £400,000 advance (oh, just let me dream for a moment!) but also because it won't filled with useless drivel about entertaining that, for the ordinary person on the street living through a recession and counting the pennies, isn't worth the paper it's written on.
Is it any wonder the book was a flop and the deal ended when Pippa decided to educate the masses with these words of wisdom?
• 'Because of their size, turkeys are perfect for feeding larger
gatherings'
As my dear friend Fenella would say, 'No sh*t, Sherlock!'
So what do you think, Pippa? Should we maybe have one at Christmas? Oh, where would we be without you!
• 'For parties, wrap a small gift. Sit everyone in a circle and
ask them to pass the parcel ...'
Is there a name for this hugely original game? And would it be good to play with small children maybe?
• 'Store cupboards, drawers or boxes should be packed full of
useful odds and ends.'
Ah, so that's what all the c*ap is! It's good to know that the upper classes have drawers of string, fug, cracker innards and broken combs too.
From what I know of this book, I'm surprised she didn't include a few helpful tips along the lines of:
Remember to stock up on toilet tissue. No one likes to resort to using The Tatler in an emergency - it leaves nasty print all over your 'oh so pert' little bottom.
If you run out of champers, be prepared to accept that no one will ever set foot in your house again.
Although the recipe for ice is very simple, the time it takes to set is rather lengthy. Far quicker to 'order in' (see back of book for recipe if you prefer homemade)
For decorations, pretty balloons and party fripperies simply nip to Mummy and Daddy's shop and help yourself.
I'm so sorry if I sound like I'm bitching. But I am! This book deal made me (and many other writers) cross. Penguin only took a chance on her because of who she was related to. Thankfully, their greed backfired. Try taking a chance on some little nobodies, us Indies who slog our guts out day in and day out. What would be so wrong with that?
So, that brings me to my book which won't be losing anyone any money. I've been entertaining for years - on a budget. Sometimes the budget has been bigger than others but it's certainly never been massive and I've always received compliments from my guests.
As Fenella always tells me, 'You have a talent for giving good table, good candle and good feeling.'
So watch this space as I begin work on 'Mummy Misfit Entertains'. Unless I get offered a juicy advance from a canny publisher who's checked out my rather stonkering Amazon rankings, it won't be filled with glossy photos - just handy, practical and fun tips, recipes, themes and games.
Oh ... and it also won't include the recipe for ice either. You'll have to Google that one for yourselves.
