Hapy New Year

Where-ever you are, what-ever you are doing and who-ever you are speniding it with I wish you a very Happy New Year.

Christmas Celebrations

Quiet celebrations sharing thoughts across the sea to Savannah. Not quite the same as when my son was at home for Christmas, but treasured moments. We opened our gifts whislt eating breakfast, laughed at the funny ones and said grateful thanks for the useful ones. We ate roast pork, with roast apples, parsnips and carrots, not fogetting the sprouts. This was followed by a snowy trifle made with blackberries harvested in the autumn. A late phone call announcing the arrival of a new baby boy for my neice - how wonderful and on Christmas day.
To-day we walked across Chanock Chase - 3 hours - with a friend and her two dogs. She gave us supper and I made a mincemeat slice which we had served warm with cream.
A perfect end to the quiet days of celebration.
A toast to absent friends across the world and those who are not with us any more. We love and miss you all.

Epic Hot Chocolate

I am packing a large basket of goodies to take with me to-day, as I am visiting my sister for the pre-Christmas chit chat. among the items will be a jar of Epic Hot Chocolate drink. I came across this recipe from Jamie Oliver. He was dipping waffles into his drink and it looked amazing. It is so easy to do and store in a jar until needed. Just make sure you have plenty of milk and once started you will find it difficult to stop, your guests will want more.

Epic Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
2 tabsp. Horlicks (malted drink)
2 tabsp. cornflour
3 tabsp. icing sugar
4 tabsp. cocoa
100g dark chocolate - grated
good pinch of cinnamon

Method
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and then put into suitable storage jar with air-tight lid.


To Use
Heat approx 2 pints of milk in a saucepan
Add approx 6 heaped tablesp. chco mixture and stir until just simmering
The mixture wil thicken slightly.
Pour into mugs and serve.
You can top with extra whipped cream and marshmallows, but it is very rich.

I, of course double the recipe and make sure I have plenty of mixture - it really is that good.

Christmas Game

Came across this game from Normandy Life so come on join in the fun and play along.


Care to play along?
Simply cut & paste the questions below.
1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Hot chocolate - Epic Chocolate from Jamie Oliver
2. Turkey or Ham?
Neither this year we are eating Pork with crackling
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
Usually real, but this year tiny fake
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
Holly wreath on the door
5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
Snowball fights - we are expecting a white chritmas
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
No, little places are best
7. Favorite Christmas song?
White Christmas
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Magic to have a tear in our eye at Christmas time
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
November
10. Stockings before or after presents?
Before
11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
My house
12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
Christmas Eve
13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
Walk in the woods
14. What is your favorite holiday smell?
Mince-pies
15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Would prefer to read a book
16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
Christmas Day
17. Favorite Christmas memory?
Spending Christmas with my son who lives in USA
18. Favorite Part about winter?
Cold, fresh air
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
Many moons ago

Christmas is coming, just a few more days to prepare. I am busy making new aprons and will put in my sisters bag of goodies.

Christmas is Coming

At last I can get back to blogging and catch up on all the news. I finished school yesterday for three weeks. Christmas cakes all made and despatched, apart from one which was left behind and the lady never came for it. Some presents bought and now for the big cook session to make gifts for family and neighbours. Some where I have read about the best ever mincemeat cake to make, but can I find it - I will spend another looking and then I may have to settle for second best. This afternoon I have made some lollipops and wrapped ready for the children.
Recipe is from Lorraine Pascale - Home baking made easy. Also from her book the peanut truffles - so yummy I am surprised they have reached the boxes.
Snow is expected, so I will making some soup later.
Made a start at decorating - not bad for the firts day of the hols.