Christmas Hampers

My labour of love over the last few months finally came together as I put together my festive homemade hampers for some of my nearest and dearest.  I have to admit to feeling a certain surge of pride :-) 

A mixture of:
Pickled Onions
Spiced Plum and Port Jam (My personal Fave)
Clementine and Cranberry marmalade (Gutted as I overboiled this and it went veeery sticky!!)
Chilli Jam
Christmas Mincemeat
Green tomato chutney
Runner bean & Courgette chutney
A George made sparkly robin christmas decoration!
All Butter Shortbread Stars

Snow fun!

So it only lasted a few hours but much fun had.  I remember that feeling of pure joy when I was young waking up to a snow covered garden and some things never change.  On being told we could go and play after breakfast I don't think I have ever seen a bopwl of cheerios and rice krispies demolished so quickly. Time to get the boy on skies me thinks.

The most wonderful time of the year....

Nativity, Christingle, sneaking chocs off the tree ... loving this christmas time....

Must learn to sew - this was a Nanny creation. I did manage the crown though!

Christmas Shopping & Trees

With my severe aversion aversion to shopping, at any time of the year (I travelled in disbelief past miles of shoppers for Bluewater and Lakeside the other week - how can people do that to themselves?!!) I've been starting to panic at my total lack of christmas organisation. I even ventured into a shopping centre with George yesterday, the atmosphere was nice for 5 minutes until George ran off in John Lewis and I spent a panicked minute running round with a boxed new duvet, duvet covers, spur-of-the-moment-pressies and a giant sized special agent Oso (strapped into the pushchair unlike his owner).  Thankfully today, we have broadband back and calm has been restored. Phew.

Apart from the shopping I adore this time of the year. Without doubt my favourite. The feel in the air, the smell of the food, the excitement and anticipation of something magical. And of course the tree - we have a beauty. Shopping for trees in the woods - that's more like it.

Magical times

For one little boy, the highlight of his 3 years so far.  Since returning nearly a week ago, each morning through bleary eyes I'm asked in hope and earnest "are we still in Mickey Land?"

The Disney Hotel - 5* location!



High five for Stitch




Loving Christmas Goofy



Mickey's Wild West Show - George most put out when not asked to join in on stage.  Always the first volunteer!



Lots of theme park and roller coaster fun and games





A magical start to the best few weeks of the year



Where did Autumn go?

Due to 'technical difficulties' I've been offline for most of it but wanted to chronicle some of our best bits...



Bonfire Night - LOVE it



George's first ever trip to the theatre to see Jungle Book. He loved the audience participation bit (almost as much as owning his own bag of maltesers!) so bring on Christmas panto!



After 4 years of cat ownership, she finally jumps onto my lap for cuddle ever night. Miracles do happen!

 Boys Jobs

Tree chopping

A kind of car washing

Spaceship making

Spaceship flying

Gorgeous Autumn

Closing down for winter



See you next year stunning Autumn



Winter Warmers

I love love soup at this time of the year. These are my current top two -the leek and potato comes courtesy of the allotment. Leeks are about all I have left, can't quite bring myself to use the Kale (urrgh) and the parsnips are in keeping for christmas day :-)

Mushroom Soup (Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook):

600ml good chicken stock

1 garlic clove finely chopped

75g butter

450g mixed mushrooms (I always add some dried porcini and the juice)

50g flour

Freshly grated nutmeg

600ml whole milk

150ml single cream

1-2 tsp lemon juice

Fry the onion and garlic gently, roughly chop 1/2 thre mushrooms and add to the onion. Cook until soft then stir in the flour and nutmeg, whisk in the warm stock and bring to boil, cover andn simmer for 15-20 mins. Liquidise and season well. Finely chop rest of mushrooms and add to pan with the milk. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 more mins. Take off heat and add cream and lemon juice. Season well and serve x



Leek and Potato Soup (Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook)

Made with allotment leeks :-|)

1 Onion thinly sliced

1 tblsp olive oil

25g butter

6 large leeks

3 medium waxy potatoes

1 litre chicken or veg stock

500ml milk

freshly grated nutmeg

5-6 tablespns single cream

Sauté onion in butter and oil until soft, add leeks and potatoes and cook for 6-7 minutes. Add the stock and simmer until veg are very tender (about 10 mins). Liquidise and add milk, bring to boil. Remove from heat and add herbs, nutmeg, cream and warm through. Season well and serve x





The only cure for an annoying tickly cough

When no amount of cough medicine works, it is the middle of the night, and you'll do anything to stop that annoying cough.... melt some of these (or actually any smooth chocolate) at the back of your mouth to coat your throat ... miracle cure! Thank goodness for 'treat cupboards'.

Treat morning

Rumsey's Wendover - the best hot chocolate on the planet :-)