It's been another busy day (roll on Friday) and it wasn't until lunchtime that I realised the only thing I'd had to eat all morning was a mince pie, and it wasn't even a home made one!
Photo shamelessly borrowed from last year :)
After taking Lily to school first thing, I'd dashed into town to buy a roll of wrapping paper and some ground ginger. My regular supermarket had sold out and, as I'm hoping to make a gingerbread house next week, I needed to try and get hold of some. It was quite reassuring that the town centre looking the busiest I'd seen it in a few weeks. Everyone seemed happy and appeared to be enjoying shopping safely and responsibly. Each store I visited had hand sanitizer at the door and I didn't notice anyone who wasn't wearing a mask. It was a successful trip, as the wrapping paper I wanted was on sale and I also managed to get some ground ginger, although it was the very last jar on the shelf - note to self to be more organised next year. I also came across a fairy light necklace, which I picked up as a surprise for Lily, to replace her previous one, which had broken. This had been kindly given to her by a waitress who'd served us in Manchester on a trip to the Christmas markets a couple of years ago. Happy memories.
This should be the last of my Christmas shopping now, but I realise I've said this before.
This afternoon, we received a really lovely gift. With not being able to hold the usual Christingle service this year, the village church has made up paper bags containing an orange, and candle and everything else we need to make our very own Christingle. We're going to put it together some time during the next couple of days, and I will be sure to share it with you then.
J. X
Lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt was, but not quite as substantial as a bowl of porridge :)
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in a Christingle!
I have not heard of one before.
Have a cozy evening.
A Christingle usually holds religious meaning, but can also be used as a reminder for us to be thankful for the love in the world. X
DeleteYour mince pies look delicious! I can't remember the last time I had a mince pie! Years and years ago, I think. I have a recipe for homemade mincemeat, but, it calls for suet which is almost impossible to get, here. Glad you were able to get your ground ginger and wrapping paper, and the fairy light necklace, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be baking some of my own mince pies this weekend. I always buy my mincemeat but add some extra brandy to make it taste really delicious. X
DeleteI'm sure your mince pies are as good as last years. I've never made a gingerbread house or biscuit. I have a,few Christmas cutters I might give it a whirl.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty in making a gingerbread house is that the design can be as elaborate or simple as you choose. I always opt for simple :)
DeleteIn my experience, you see a lot of stories in the media about people breaking the rules but most of the people I come across seem to be acting as responsibly as they can.
ReplyDeleteI had this idealistic idea this year that I'd make all our mince pies. The upshot is that I haven't had one for two days! I'll have to make some more.
I'm going to be baking some of my own this weekend. I sometimes like to make a mincemeat slice, which is less time consuming. X
DeleteI have to say you are the most organised person I know :) I'm sure Lily will be delighted with her new fairy light necklace.
ReplyDeleteI'm not feeling very organised right now, Eileen. If I don't get to the supermarket in the next few days, it will be beans on toast for Christmas dinner :)
DeleteEnjoy your christingle and making your gingerbread house. I must make the pastry for my mince pies. I usually make a big batch ready to roll at a moments notice . I bet you are ready for the term to end :) B x
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great idea, Barbara. I've never thought of doing that. X
DeleteYour mince pies look lovely, much fancier than my plain ones from last week.The fairylight necklace sounds delightful,I'm sure Lily will be thrilled with it :)
ReplyDeleteAll that matters is how good they taste :)
DeleteI used to love making a Christingle orange, so pleased to hear people still make them. I'm not religious, but I do enjoy lots of the Christmas traditions.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Sam. Although we've been given them previously, this will be the first time we've actually made one. X
DeleteMight be healthier to eat a couple of blueberries with it.
ReplyDeleteI'll remember that for next time. ;)
DeleteHow wonderful that you are making the Christingle at home and I am presuming it will become a zoom church meeting. Our church are trying to organize a drive in carol service, I do so hope they manage it.
ReplyDeleteThe carol service sounds like a wonderful idea. I do hope they can manage to organise it. X
DeleteYour mince pies are very posh, they look worthy of being in a magazine. I hope they tasted as good as they look, I'm sure they did.
ReplyDeleteThank yo, Jo. I think the flavour comes from the extra Brandy I add to the mincemeat. X
DeleteYour mince pies look lovely, be it last years photo or not ... I'm sure this years will be just as beautiful!! I have to admit to buying all our mince pies this year, vegan ones seem harder to come by for some reason so when I have seen them I have pounced. We now have a nice little stack of four boxes and packets ... three of which I can actually dip into :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I can only buy a few at a time. I find them far too tempting otherwise. X
DeleteEven if the picture of the mince pie is from last year, it is beautiful to to see again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Arleen. X
DeleteThose mince pies look so nice I seem to be having a bit of an addiction for them going on at the moment. I'm glad you have successful trip into town and got what you needed. I hope you show us the gingerbread house once it#s done. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious aren't they. And yet, I couldn't imagine eating them at any other time of the year. X
DeleteWhat a beautiful presentation. My grandmother always brought a mince pie as her contribution. She and my father loved it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the town was busy and people were staying safe. Most people are behaving responsibly here, too. Happy Christmas- Diana
Thank you, Diana. It felt good to see a bustling High Street. X
DeleteShopping here is a bit of a nightmare - few masks and very little social distancing. You've reminded me that I need to buy some more ginger, too. Thank you! I do love a Christingle service, even though I no longer have child at home. x
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame. I've found the majority of people here to be acting responsibly. I imagine shopping would be a very different experience otherwise. X
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