Twelve Days of Christmas

During the Twelve Days of Christmas our household has had many things to celebrate. For those who know me well my name gives one of the reasons. Although I feel that there is no need to count the years any more, I realise that I had been overestimating the years, and that I am in fact younger than I had thought! Of course, I feel even younger. So definitely no more counting....just celebrate! I think what had thrown me was my big wish to get the dratted bus pass, but it looks as if they are forever moving the goal posts, and who knows it may have to be completely withdrawn by the time I get there!

I've had the most wonderful array of presents, and some came through the post. I had a lovely book from my London Bread Guru, and then a big box from my Swindon Knitting Guru! On Christmas eve we returned from a walk at 11:45, to find a card from the Post Office to say that they had tried to deliver a parcel at 12:30! Well no chance of fetching it before the Christmas close down.....anyway on the 29th I very nearly had a tantrum on the floor at the Kenilworth sorting office, when they could not find my parcel.

I did not have the card on me, and they suggested that the parcel leaflet was from a different delivery company, but no I said that it was just like the ones on their desk. They looked and looked, and then they asked if I knew who the parcel was from. Luckily I had had a email heralding the parcel, and eventually they found my parcel filed under my friend's name. Well her name was on the parcel, but oh so small.....so my tenacity paid off.... and Wow how I've been spoilt, I love the cloth parcel covers, and the goodies, and after the consumables are gone, I shall have three little treasures of curved rosewood cable needles, and other treasures too. Until now, I've just grabbed a double pointed sock needle, but now I have THE RIGHT TOOLS for the job!


Christmas day started off with -10C at 9 in the morning, but the roads were clear. The day was spent in the midst of loved ones, with delicious food, warmth and love. All one could wish for. In the afternoon we set out for a walk, to enjoy the daylight. This lovely group of berries must surely have been devoured by now by the hungry birds.
*



Little Izabelle was a delight, and I could not resist getting down on the floor and having a play with her toys. The first course of smoked salmon, sour cream, and blinis made by Veronica was much appreciated, then delicious turkey, and vegetables and the best of roast potatoes cooked in goose fat...None of us managed any pudding, except for a piece of the apricot filo roulade I had made, and only when we got back from our walk. So I hope that the large jug of Brandy Sauce was used up with the pudding, the next day.
*



So from me to all my readers, and to myself here is my favourite Christmas Picture.

It just keeps snowing

I've taken this pictures looking through the windows. Its really the thickest snow I've seen here. Its cold, so cold that there is no water to the washing machine, but we have plenty of clean clothes, sheets, and towels for the next few days. Maybe a little hand washing if absolutely necessary.

Panettone recipe from BBC Radio 4 Food Programme

Having heard the weekend Food Programme, I decided to try their Panettone, and downloaded the recipe. Monday I soaked the fruit and started the sponge. Yesterday I completed the mix, and found a warmish place for the 'cake' to rise. It took all day and then into the oven it went. This morning we had it for breakfast. What did it taste like....well Mr S thought it tasted like a big lardy cake....and I think I must agree with him. I do not think I would do this recipe again. Knowing what I like I'll choose my next Panettone recipe with more care. My pumpkin bread is far far better.
*
*


*
*
It may be that I added candied peel and not fresh grated, yes that might be it, then there was no spice or vanilla, that could be it, then it was probably too cool for a good rise, that could be it. Mr S and I disagreed over the crystallised ginger. I used goat's butter rather than cow's so there was not the added luscious butter flavour.....and I do like spices, and there were no spices. Cooking temp in the recipe gas 180C which I think in retrospect is a little too low. Again I have reviewed the recipe and there is no salt. This could have been it, just a little salt really does help the dough to develop and rise.
*
Here is the loaf rolled up and ready to go into the tin

Iced cake and The Sea House

*
This cake just looks like the real thing, by that I mean the view from my front window as children play out in the snow on the green.
*
Saturday was spent looking out at the snow falling from just after 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon, with about 5 inches of fallen snow. We had a cold winter last year, but this is the coldest and snowiest I've experienced in my life.
*

Ye four bright wires, so slender and so smooth,

How many wakeful nights y've helped to soothe!

Nor have you fail'd, through many a darksome day,

To keep the potent fiend, Ennui at bay:

Affording occupation mute and kind,

Taxing no powers of body or of mind,

Leaving them free their higher due to pay

Fresh air to breathe - to meditate or pray

*

When I read this short piece of poetry typed at the bottom of a page of knitting tips sent to me by Diane, and when Diane explained to me where she had copied it from and how much she enjoyed the book, I looked it up. Even though there were mixed reviews, when I saw that for Steerborough read Walberswick, I called up the Library Catalogue on line, and knowing there was a copy at our local library, went straight away to collect the book.

*

So in between cooking, cleaning, and knitting, I've been reading The Sea House by Esther Freud. Set in the fictional village of Steerborough, it follows the twisting paths that people take and the places where those paths meet...this is taken from the jacket of the book.

*

In the book Gertrude reads this to Max from an anthology of Suffolk Verse. Whether this is from an anthology or whether it is one of Freud's own I do not know....If it is her own then Esther Freud must be a knitter and a poet too.
*

We've stayed in Walberswick three times, and each time it has been magical, inspiring, healing, and it is as if there is a string which ties me to that village. As I read through the book, it was as if I was there. I loved each day to walk around to peer at the houses, to make up stories, to explore, and to marvel. Reading this novel has transported me back, and now I just want to plan my next visit there.

*

Memorable things which have happened to me whilst in Walberswick:

Meeting one of the nicest friends in the whole world: Vickie
*


Seeing a whole large patch of purple orchids
*

Stumbling onto a nest of eggs on the beach
*

Having to jump into the sea to rescue Jessie
*
Eating fish and chips on the beach at Dunwich
*
The vast skies with clouds and stars
*
Getting fresh fish from the quayside
*
Tea and gooseberry ice cream at the cafe
*
A whole shoulder of lamb slow roasted at the Bell Inn
*
Working on my first piece of lace knitting
*
Walking and Cycling along the quiet roads
*
Always stopping to watch the pigs and the piglets

Its a white out

On Friday we had a very fast downpour of snow lasting less than an hour, the final flurry was fast and furious and sounded like a downpour of hail. Then the sun came out.... all the while I was busy with the white stuff in the kitchen.

*

The previous week I had made the marzipan from scratch which makes covering the cake very easy, and set the cake to dry out, ready for icing. Since the very cold weather, I had also been spending my 'enforced' stay at home time cleaning out all the cupboards in the kitchen and around the house, so I knew exactly where to find the little box which contains my Christmas Cake decoration, first bought in Swindon in 2007.

This year, instead of the usual 8 or 9 inch fruit cake, I am making a 6 inch one. With my calculator I carefully recalculated the quantities for the cake, marzipan and icing, and with the little bit of marzipan left, made the most delicious little biscuits, called Sardinian Almond Biscuits.

I only had 100g almond paste left over, so again, made about a quarter of the quantity of biscuits. These also used up the remainder of the egg white left from brushing the cake before laying on the marzipan. I used to use apricot jam method, but the egg white method used by Delia Smith really works well. Last year I ended up throwing away the remainder of the marzipan after it had sat in the recesses of the fridge for too many weeks.

The recipe for the biscuits came from an early birthday present from my very good friend and bread guru Vicki: a book by one of our favourite writers Linda Collister called Christmas treats to make and give.

This year I have been given some wonderful home grown apples by various people. All different varieties having different flavours and uses. One big green apple from Julian was labelled as being dual purpose. It is really good used either way, and needs no added sugar when cooked, and I must try and get its name.

Since I have been making small batches of Gelato most weeks, I decided to try my own concoction, based on three egg yolks with 350 ml goats milk and sugar, I added about a cup of cooked and chilled apple pure and also some sultanas which had soaked in calvados overnight. Mr S was amazed and so was I, the sultanas were reminiscent of the raisins in rum and raisin ice cream, but with the flavour of the apple as well as the calvados came through. Together with the Sardinian Almond biscuits, it was a truly delicious desert.

More Knitting and Baking

When some of our friends came up for Swindon in the Summer, I promised Maegan that I would knit her some more socks. I finally got round to asking for the measurements last week, and when I got my old knitting note book, I found the page where we drew round Maegan's feet in May 2007. As she was just a little girl then, there was plenty of yarn left over which I found in my stash. The colours are a little softer than above, and when they are tried on, and I have a report back on fit, then I'll be able to adjust my pattern if necessary, and made another pair in a different yarn.

I've started my Christmas baking and present giving, and baked these hazel nut and cranberry cookies which I took over to Rita's. Over a nice coffee and a biscuit, I then read her some poetry, from a little book we came across when I helped her sort out through some old papers. There is something wonderful about reading poetry aloud. Most old people of Rita's generation used to learn poetry by heart when they were young, and it really gives them a boost when they can remember some lines. Its certainly a lovely thing to have a picture of a host of golden daffodils on such a cold and dreary day!

Caerphilly Castle

We were so lucky that yesterday was dry and warm enough for the thaw to have very nearly cleared all the snow even from the hills of Wales. Mr S and I had planned this little expedition when we saw this advertised by our favourite local coach company: Johnsons. There had been many cancellations from people wondering whether it would be safe to travel, so I suppose we were lucky that the trip went ahead.

*

Looking out through the windows over the hedgerows, the views of the countryside were wonderful. The low winter sun picked out the contours of the rolling hills.

*

*

This was our first visit to Caerphilly Castle, and we enjoyed the Medieval Christmas Fayre. There was a little of everything, and we found things to entertain us: a goblet of hot mulled wine in a tent warmed by a central brazier. Mr S was taken by the very beautiful dog curled up on a sheepskin rug. We spent time watching knights sword fighting in the central courtyard of the castle, and quizzed a group cooking up their main meal of the day....though I spied the bottle of olive oil from a local supermarket, and thought the pastry for their patties far too white and processed, they could have used wholemeal at least! We enjoyed large baps with hot roasted pork with stuffing etc. At Neil and Lesley Butler's stand, I bought a hand made leather journal and some oakgall ink with a nice hand blown ink bottle. We talked about the journals and I was so pleased to hear that the beautiful fly( is that the term?) leaf paper just inside the cover had come from the same paper mill which we had visited just weeks ago in Amalfi.

*

*

In the main hall I sat at the long trestle table whilst Mr S queued for another drink. We were joined by family groups, and two wonderful dragons came to talk to the children. Around us were various groups to entertain children with interesting activities including two potters wheels, face painting, and a circus training group.

*

*

We had a wonder round the castle, and from one of the tall towers had a clear view of the arrangement of the defences and extensive moats. Inside the tower it was much colder than the outside, the stone clinging onto the chill of previous weeks. Ice was still covering most of the water and ducks and geese were congregating in the small patches of free water waiting hungrily for any morsels to be thrown to them.

*

*

I suppose we have been spoilt by the Festival of History, and it would be less than honest to describe all the activities as having the Medieval Theme, but it was an enjoyable day out. Such Christmas Fayres seem to have sprung up over the last few years...I guess it is an opportunity for towns to market themselves and have shoppers leave their out of town shopping venues to return to town centres, and for small independent producers and artisans to have outlets for their work.

*

There was plenty of opportunity for people watching. The concentration on the children's faces as there were shown how to throw a pot, and the look of delight as they walked off with their creations was wonderful. The anticipation of children waiting for their turn to climb steep stairs to visit Father Christmas who had arrived at the same time as we did in his open horse drawn carriage was a marvel, was sufficient to melt any heart yet to feel the magic of Christmas.

*

*

The street market was equally interesting, and we ended up at the Farmer's Market, where we had more drink and food...

Avec nos sabots

It may be that it is presumptuous of me, not quite the word I want, what I really mean is looking ahead....but when I saw these very small crocs at the Church Bazaar I just had to get them, especially as they were so similar to mine, in anticipation of my little Grand daughter coming to visit and wanting to go out and learn gardening.

Why 'Avec Nos Sabots'....There was a traditional song I was taught by my father, a French song called Avec mes Sabots Don daine...sabots meaning clogs. The tune is haunting me, but I hardly remember the words. So with our clogs on Grandma and Grand daughter will explore the wonderful world of the garden, with its secret parts, insects, birds, butterflies and plants. Mine are old well worn, and well used....you can see that undercoat is impossible to remove, even after umpteen goes in the washing machine!

In this very cold weather I brought in some plants from the patio. I wonder how many that have been left out will have survived?

Cold weather called for New Tea Cosy

We became tea cosy fans when we moved to Kenilworth. The first one we had was sent by a friend and has graced both the teapot it came with and also our Large Wedgewood pot. I then bought a 'used' but nice wool one from the first Christmas Fete I went to at St Nicks. In the three years it has gradually got well worn and a little stained.

*

In just a short week, that it took from having the idea, borrowing a book, winding on some lovely yarn which was hand spun by Claire, and raiding my stash for some part used balls of wonderful English rare breed yarns, we now have a beautiful, fully fashioned, new cosy for our small teapot.

I made a knitted mat for it to stand on and insulate the base. It took only two days in the knitting.

*

The old one has been cut up and is now a warm insulation layer at the top of the wormery. So like all the tea leaves, the tea cosy will end up as compost on the garden some time next year!

Hoar Frost on a cold morning

I find it hard to remember when we last had a frost free night. On Monday we awoke to cold and freezing fog. It was -9C outside. As the day went on the ice grew and grew. I chose to stay inside and took some pictures from the bedroom window. There was hoar frost on the telephone lines too.

On Tuesday it was bright but still frosty, and so very quiet, so quiet that when I stood under the tree at the front of the house, I could hear the crystals growing and breaking, and when I looked around there was a sifting of icicles falling down on me, and were building up under the trees, and on the road like snow. The berries on the Cotoneaster by the front door gave a splash of colour.

.

As I went down the garden to fetch my bike from the shed, I saw a row of frost encrusted spider webs.

By the time I had cycled up to the Castle and stopped to admire the countryside, my hands were so frozen that it was really lovely to go into the shop and warm up on hot mulled wine.

Knitting and baking

I seem to gravitate towards Knitting and Baking when the snow and ice makes venturing out less attractive. On Wednesday morning, I was wondering what to make for our Gardening Evening Club Party. I just did not feel like going out shopping, so I went through my stash of ingredients, and came up with a tasty seasonal mix.

*

I made cake mix and added cranberries, chopped fresh apple, and slowly roasted pecans. As I used the whole 250g butter block, I had sufficient mixture to make 12 cup cakes and another small slab of cake. I sifted some icing sugar over the cup cakes. * Several gardening friends came up to ask for the recipe for these. *

*

In the afternoon, some of the slab was eaten up, when a few of my knitting friends came round for the first session of our lap rug project. We have worked on the pattern for the crocheted squares and under Jackie's guidance, we all managed to crochet similar sized squares, adjusting our tension by changing technique or hook size. I must say how much I admire Jackie, Nicki and Janice for braving the weather.

*

*

These little snow flakes have fluttered into my blog, and allowing the space between the paragraphs which I have trying unsuccessfully to achieve.

Winter Wonderland

It seems to be such a long time since the first snow fell. Today we have had a bit of a thaw, but we have been warned that the freeze will return soon. Our home is lovely and warm. I have had to retrieve all my plants from the Conservatory and scattered them around the house. We have no round the clock heating in the conservatory.

*

I took this photograph as we had frost inside the conservatory....the big snow flakes were made by Cynthia. She has been making these for the Church Fete, and having bought quite a few from her, I sewed them together and have hung them down the windows. When we first moved in we have a couple of birds fly into the glass so I have taken to hanging things up against the windows and since then we have had fewer accidents. I know when birds have flew into other windows. Sometimes I hear a bang, and then can see a dust image of the bird left on the window. So far the birds have managed to fly away.

*

I phoned an aunt who lives in North Lincolnshire, and she had not ventured out as there was about two feet of snow where she is. Here our road seems to be last to have cleared as it is not gritted and few cars pass by. Nevertheless, I've been out as usual on my bike.