Firstly apologies for not posting last week!
As I explained on my Facebook page I had a migraine and life had been a little busy and complicated that week but I’m back and enjoying the build up to Christmas.
I have been posting a photo each day of advent on the FB page that captures the day. Here are the first three from December
The first is my rather decadent week day breakfast of maple brioche eggy bread with my apple butter and a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
The second is this year’s festive kitchen island decoration. I found these cute little tealight holders on Amazon that have a hole in the bottom which you can put things in. I have put some conifer and decorative string that looks like tree lights that I picked up at Hobbycraft.
The third is the front of my house which I decorated yesterday. The pots contain my blueberry bushes but as they are all cut back I added long branches and then put tinsel and baubles on them. I found the blow up baubles on Amazon and hung them where my hanging baskets normally are. I attached them with extra ribbon to secure them and avoid them blowing off and visiting my neighbours! I was also finally able to put my rag wreath on the door.
My Festive Sweet Chill Jam has been made this week and will be given as a present to a couple of my friends who especially love it.
8 Red Peppers
4 Red Chillis
5cm sized piece of Fresh Ginger
4 Garlic Cloves
200g (7 oz) Tinned Tomatoes
2.5 cups Golden Caster Sugar
3/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
I place the first four ingredients in a blender with some of the vinegar and blitz into a chunky puree. Then pop into my jam pan along with a tin of chopped tomatoes and the sugar and bring to boil. Turn down and cook till you get a jammy consistency. Bottle whilst hot.
If anyone would like the labels I designed to add to their jars here is a pdf to download and I print on sticker paper to make it easy to put on.
On Friday evening myself and a friend went to the Tavistock Dickensian Evening which was a lovely way to start getting into the festive mood. Below is a video of the amazing lights being turned on.
I also made some mince pie ice cream for a yummy treat to serve over Christmas. It is so simple and a quick dessert to make as I use shop bought items such as a good quality vanilla ice cream, a box of really fruity mince pies. Break up the mince pies and I added some of my homemade plum brandy but you can add whatever festive tipple you prefer that will go with mincemeat. If you do not wish to add alcohol that’s fine.
I then just combine the mince pies into the ice cream that has softened slightly and then place all the mixture either back into the ice cream tub if there is room or another container and pop back into the freezer until needed.
I am on track with my Christmas Planning List and all presents are being wrapped as I get them to avoid that really long session I normally end up doing! I have found some fun ways to wrap awkward shaped items and will share those with you next week as I must head off now.
Enjoy your week.
Stepping Into Sixty and Out Of The Comfort Zone 