Had a lovely day at my eldest daughter’s today. We had a traditional turkey lunch, delicious! Nothing quite like it. There were 8 of us there, including a Bolivian EFL student staying long term, including over the Christmas period. I would have been quite overwhelmed...
Christmas
Flowers, more flowers, and exciting plans
On Wednesday, we had our annual WI Christmas party. It was lovely! We all brought a plate of food to share. I was asked to hold a list of what people were bringing, as several years ago, we had far too many offerings with smoked salmon. Lovely as it is, there is such...
Some Festive tweets and a few questions to think about
On Monday evening, I hosted this weeks regular Twitter chat between the Money Bloggers using the hashtag #MondayMoneyUK. We tweeted from 9pm to 10pm, then for 10 minutes the next morning, I spoke about our discussion on Share radio. We were talking about...
What I Love About Christmas Week
I love this week! Christmas Week, (I think of it in capitals!) the week before Christmas. It holds one of my favourite days, the shortest day. This means that Spring, is just around the corner, longer, warmer days, and an evening that doesn't make me feel shut...
Using up mincemeat – Mince pies, Mincemeat Muffins, Mincemeat Brownies and Mincemeat Ice Cream
A few days ago, I made some mince pies for the U3A Christmas meeting. I had bought a new large jar of mincemeat, but then remembered I still had 2.5 jars of the same size left from last year. So I dug out one of those and used that. I made some oil pastry, then used...
Reverse Advent – batch one
I actually got up in the loft today and sorted out a load of ‘stuff’. I’m trying to concentrate on getting rid of a lot more stuff this month, following Sue’s Reverse Advent challenge. I found a bag of five pairs of shoes. Why did I put them in the loft? Maybe I had...
Advent, stuff, soup and resolutions
I’ve just been reading Sue’s blog post about her new reverse advent tradition. Last New Year, I resolved to get rid of something every day throughout the year. Although I have been taking stuff to the charity shop, I’ve slipped a bit lately, so I’ve taken Sue’s post...
Nibbly bits – spicy nuts, pastry nibbles, dips and mini bannocks
We started off with Nigella’s Union Cafe Spicy Nuts. Then moved on to two different varieties of a pastry based one. Then quickly whizzed up a salmon dip and a brinjal dip. After that we played with bannocks and made three different flavours.
Good Old Turkey Curry – 81p a portion, plus how to make leftover turkey soup
Had not one, but two Boxing Day classics today. I know it's not actually Boxing Day, but it still feels like it! Plus I found this great graphic and I want to use it 😉 I dismantled the remains of the turkey this morning and slowly simmered the carcass in a couple of...
Live the life you wish you had & Merry Christmas!
This pops up on my Facebook feed now and then. I have no idea if it is a real nurse that has written it, if they are real comments, or if there is some other agenda going on. But whenever I see it, it always strikes me as a pretty good way to live your life. On this...
Christmas Meal Plan – Gnocchi, pork bits and stuffing, 36p a serving
Goodness, how December has whizzed past, we'll be talking leftovers in no time at all. Are you all ready now? I'm off in a bit to wrap a couple more little presents and we're as good as there. Went up to Hackleton, a little village near Newport Pagnall to see my Mum...
Stilton Quiche with Red Cabbage Coleslaw, 39p
This flavoursome blue cheese quiche is served twice on the Christmas Meal Plan, along with an unusual coleslaw made with red cabbage and mustard. Strong festive flavours Pastry 150g flour, value 45p/1.5kg, 4p 75g Best for Baking, Asda 49p, 15p Filling 100g...