Saturday 23 December 2023

December...ing

 Best Wishes to you all. My last 'ing' post of the year. There has been a little snow flurry earlier in the month with lots of special treats to eat.


Snowing - on the hill, just a bit on a couple of days. Not enough to cause mayhem for us but enough for my girls to have an hour sledging on our steep fields.


Treating - ourselves to some chocolate. I love florentines but the rest of my family don't so we compromise and have melted chocolate with just a sprinkling of almonds and cranberries.



Making - White millionaires shortbread and getting all the parts right. Sometimes the caramel doesn't set, sometimes the base is too crumbly, I often don't melt enough chocolate for the top (because I am not a millionaire!) but today my big girl made a tray and it was spot on. 


Cooking up - the contents of the fridge to make way for Christmas dinner ingredients. This chicken, pepper, chorizo and chickpea one pot was a good combination and loved by all.


Leaving - out the icing. We don't enjoy it and adding things you don't like just because you think you should is silly. This cake is a metaphor for my preparations this Christmas.


Casting - on a new pair of socks. We are going skiing on New Years eve and I like to have a portable knitting project for holidays so that I can pass the time at the airport and in the evenings. I am having another go at a toe up sock with an afterthought heel from the socktacular book.


Finishing - another pair of Christmas socks for gifting. I have used this colourway before and it feels just right for this time of year.


Printing - off a little wrap for hand knits. It is a lovely way to finish off a gift and give the recipient some washing instructions which are written on the back!


Sewing - up a Lyra Dress in a fabric I have had for ages. It really does lift the mood.


Buying - a few new baubles. The cones were £1 but the others weren't! I usually wait until the sales but I loved these ones so much I just went for it. 


Decorating - the tree. I didn't do it this year, my girls took charge and I sat in the chair with a cuppa and enjoyed being a spectator.


Crocheting - a new cardigan. It is a bit boring now that I am on the sleeves but perfect for watching TV in the evenings in front of the fire. 


Anyway, I am signing off now to get on with some jobs and possibly a bit of sewing. I cut out lots of things to choose from over the break. If I get a few moments, I will sew a seam here and there.

Happy Christmas to you all! Jo xxxxx

5 comments:

  1. Just popping by to wish you and the family a very happy Christmas, Jo. D has baking up a storm in this house and it is lovely to sit back and enjoy the tasting bit. Love your florentines and millionaire's shortbread.
    Have fun skiing and have a Happy New Year x

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  2. Oh my, the millionaire's shortbread looks amazing, nice job indeed by your eldest. We don't eat icing either, and very little Christmas cake so I didn't bother with one this year. The middle boy made a yule log under supervision that is very nice. I always forget that the recipe includes far too much ganache, so we have a box of truffles as well now that I am having to work my way through :) Very nicely done with the tree, your living room looks lovely. CJ xx

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  3. I love your new baubles, I always think it is sad when they come down as the tree really brightens the dark winter days. The cake top also looked fabulous and we are also not fond of icing but I do occsionally add a thin layer of a homemade less sweet version. I hope you have had a good christmas. xx

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  4. Such happy photos! Wishing you and yours all the best for this new year, dear Jo, hope it's a good one!
    Amalia
    xo

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  5. Your Lyra dress is just gorgeous, the colours are uplifting and exactly what needed for this time of year. Lots of lovely things happening at yours :-)

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