Merry Christmas

Christmas not far off now. Lots going on in my kitchen, home and garden. A busy time but full of little things to bring pleasure and satisfaction.

I made a wreath with lovely bits from around the garden for the front of the house. The holly berries were in short supply but I found a few sprigs to bring a little seasonal colour. As it’s been so wet and windy I tied the wires to secure the fronds as tightly as I could.

Here in my part of England we had severe frost for a few days. I was worried that my winter vegetables in the polytunnels might not survive because we’d forgotten to cover the mesh doors. Usually in late Autumn Allan staples a thin fabric over the mesh panels on the tunnel doors to help to keep out the frost. For some reason, this year we forgot! But I needn’t have worried. When the thaw came the plants sprang back and they’re all fine.

Around the garden there were some lovely sights as the leaves and flowers took on a silver glow.

Even the top of a water butt looked interesting with it’s frosty decoration.

Frost on the sprout plants not only looked lovely but will sweeten up the buttons for my Festive Flan on Christmas day.

Snow arrived but didn’t last long. That suited me as I’m not fond of snowy conditions. The birds were fed and the ice on the pond was broken so they could drink.

Wildlife in the garden is welcome but it can have drawbacks. Mice got into the shed and nibbled some of the stored apples. A few were left out on the ground for them, after all they’ve got to eat too, but the rest were brought in to use. We didn’t have a lot to store this year and I don’t want to waste them. They smell so appetising. I’ll bake some delicious apple cakes and stew the rest for applesauce or to eat with ice-cream.

Lots of baking going on but I had a bit of a problem with my mince pies!

Usually, I make pastry in the food processor using plain flour, sunflower oil and water. It works well and produces good light pastry. This year, I couldn’t be bothered to use my processor so I mixed with a fork. Made the mince pies, baked them and they looked good. But when I tried them the pastry had crunchy bits. Disaster! I hadn’t mixed the pastry ingredients thoroughly enough. A lesson for future baking. I popped them in the freezer and I will definitely eat them but won’t give them to any guests.

I made more and I’m happy with the results. I always add a little more brandy into my mincemeat before I fill the pies. Makes them moist and tasty.

I’ve poured a little sherry over the Christmas cake, twice, and rewrapped it, replaced in its tin and stored it to mature to a delicious boozy treat. The aroma is wonderful. I don’t ice the cake these days although I did years ago. It tastes fantastic as it is, unadorned.

Some favourite things at Christmas are baking the cake and eating it.

My daughter-in-law loves my pecan pie so I usually make her one at Christmas. This year is no exception, so it’s baked and ready in the freezer. It’s a sensational rich dessert which is always popular. Easy to make and freezes perfectly if it needs to be made ahead. My recipe is in my Earthy Homemaker’s Cookbook.

The trees are decorated with tinsel, lights and glistening baubles. I’ve sent my Christmas cards. Just a few more things to bake and then we’re ready to relax and enjoy the festive treats.

While we take a breather, here’s a little poem I wrote a while ago about the frost.

Frosty Morning

The crisp, curled leaves
Lie frozen on the garden path,
Their steamy breath rises
In the morning sun.
Silver-edged, their crumpled beauty
Enfolds the icy remnants
Of nature's latent bounty.
Too cold to shiver in the breeze
They stiffly stand guard
Above the sleeping soil.

I hope all your preparations are going well and you’re enjoying them. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

My next blog should fall on Christmas Day so I will not be with you again until the beginning of the new year. Bye for now.