Mince Pies and Music

What better way to spend a damp grey morning on the run up to Christmas, than in the cosy warmth of the kitchen, making mince pies. Yes, this morning I finally got around to baking my first batch of the festive season and they are already disappearing fast. This must be the latest I've ever left it, temptation usually getting the better of me, but I expect I'll be making even more before the week is over. My star pastry cutter has been working extremely hard this year. ✩✩✩

Once cooled the mince pies were treated to a generous dusting of icing sugar, with six of them being set aside to be delivered along with some Christmas gifts later in the day.

Shortly after lunch, and being careful to dodge the heavy rain showers, we made a visit to the farm shop to buy some cheese. They have a wonderful cheese counter there, and there is usually something just a little bit different to try. At the moment, their selection is quite limited but we were able to get what we wanted, including my festive favourite, Wensleydale with cranberries. 

To get us in the Christmas mood, there was a concert band in the courtyard playing carols. A much welcome slice of normality in these ever changing times and some delightful background music to our visit.

This evening I've tidied my baking cupboard again, I'm terrible at not putting things away neatly. I also like to do a quick inventory occasionally, just so I can know exactly what's in there. If I'm not careful I end up getting all sorts of ingredients when I'm at the supermarket 'just in case,' and before I know it I have a cupboard full of cinnamon, ground almonds and cornflour. 

J. X

 

December Sky

The first morning of my Christmas holiday and I woke at 6 o'clock! The trouble with regular early starts is that they are a hard habit to break. Not to mind. It gave me the opportunity to enjoy a coffee in the peace and quiet of the early hours. In fact, for longer than I anticipated, Lily didn't come downstairs until 8.30. Unlike me, she clearly doesn't have a problem with being able to sleep late. As a way to get into the festive spirit, I added some cinnamon and cloves to the cafetiere. I can definitely recommend this, it tasted delicious, although I do have some proper festive coffee which I'm keeping until later in the week.

Following a busy few days, I spent much of the morning catching up on those chores that were overlooked during the week, mainly the ironing. It always feels good to get it out of the way. The house has begun to look a bit of a mess, with pine needles on the carpet, Christmas wrapping, cards and empty boxes scattered over the dining table, Nativity costumes on the clothes airer and, since this afternoon, wellies and outdoor clothes strewn across the hallway. I'll need to get it all in hand over the next few days, as it's only going to get worse as the week continues.

After lunch we went out for a walk. I'd been stuck indoors all of yesterday and had been hankering after some fresh air and the chance to stretch my legs. Also, after a demanding week, it felt good to switch off wind down, and relax into the Christmas break.

 

Although rain had originally been forecast, it stayed fine for the whole time we were out. We went through the fields and around by the pond. A well trodden route, it's familiarity a comfort to us during this uncertain time. And clearly for others as well, given how muddy the tracks had become.

Through the woods and past the stream, the bare trees silhouetted against the sky looked undeniably wintry, a reminder the solstice is just a few days away now. This year, more than usual I'm looking forward to this marking of the lengthening of our days.

This evening, I've been to the supermarket and have managed to get most of my Christmas food shopping. That's another thing off my list, and now all I only really need to do is get the cheese from the farm shop later this week. 

J. X 

Christingle

 

It's been a busy, exhausting, but wonderful day. Work finished at 4 o'clock this afternoon, so I'll be at home from now until the New Year.

Lily's last morning of school was the Christmas party celebrations. She's had a fantastic day and looked suitably festive in her red sequined top and polished nails, and without her uniform, she's looking very grown up all of a sudden.

This evening we made our Christingle. I remember being given one of these every year as a child. My main concern, back then, being how long to wait before eating the sweets off the cocktail sticks. :)

This year, we've enjoyed putting it together ourselves. Lily read the directions very carefully, and took her time to assemble the Christingle, even down to singing a Christmas carol as we lit the candle - she chose Silent Night.

J. X

A Mince Pie for Breakfast

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