I had one of those dreaded "big birthdays" a few weeks ago. To be honest I can't believe I am 70. Physically, I may feel it sometimes but mentally I feel about 25!
I told everyone not to spend a fortune on a "special" cake as I much prefer homemade so they made me my favourite Carrot Cake :)
D bought me a bat detector which I have wanted for years and made me some Christmas Fudge. Fudge is definitely worth making at home as it is much nicer and cheaper than bought although it is time consuming and you do need a sugar thermometer or thermapen.
Emily bought me lots of things including the latest Mary Berry cookbook and a book of lists - ideal for me who is always making them!
My main present from B was a painting we had seen in an art gallery in Leominster.
I do enjoy preparing for Christmas - in fact I sometimes think I find the preparations more fun than the actual event!
Holly wreath for the front door bought from a florist's in Coleshill.
The mistletoe bunch from Tenbury Wells.
I always make a canon ball Christmas Pudding although I have to admit only D and I actually like it!
Christmas cake having its last "feed" of brandy!
I am very behind with preparations this year mainly due to the two trips to Herefordshire but I finally made the mincemeat.
Most Christmas recipes I use are by Mary Berry or from BBC Good Food but these cheese savouries which I freeze are from a Delia recipe.
Today I'll make the stained glass window biscuits - some to eat now and some to freeze which just leaves the Mincemeat Macaroons and Mince Pies to make later in the week plus the veggie main and starter. B always cooks the actual Christmas dinner and we re-heat the vegetarian main. D saw a good recipe on Mary Berry's Christmas Programme for Cranberry and Stilton Scones so I'll make those on Christmas Eve for the vegetarian starter.
The Christmas Tree and decorations have now gone up.
This is an Advent Calendar with a difference. Its called The Night Before Christmas and you add a piece each day. I must admit it was a faff to put the house together and some of the pieces are a bit fiddly to add but its something different.
Building wise the news is not good - after an absence of 3 weeks (one of them got married!). They are back with a vengeance. Scaffolding now up on our patio :( They didn't screen it so we have gone somewhat ballistic and told them they can't access it until they do!). Worst yesterday was when two half house bricks came down the chimney and landed on the hearth in the front room together with tons of rubble all over Christmas decorations! B got straight onto owner and later party wall surveyor. A row with the former ensued! Apparently builders in loft used a power tool (which they are not supposed to do on party wall) against a chimney breast which they thought was double walled - it wasn't it was a single wall which anyone can see and came straight into our chimney breast. The surveyor is coming to inspect today to see what happened. Could do without all this with Christmas to get ready for. Plus I am not sleeping hardly at all! I fear the builders are totally incompetent :(
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone ever wishes to use one or one of my son's I would be grateful for an email first thanks).
