The rain has stopped and the sun is shining. The tree is decorated, and there are presents underneath. A bowl of pot-pourri in the hall is gently perfuming the air with tangy citrus and cinnamon. Mmmmm.
All I need to do is make some mince pies and then we're set for Christmas.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Sunday, 18 December 2011
One Week to Go...
...until Christmas Day! 'Holidaze' is how the site 'What Kate Wore' describes the period. Very apt in my opinion as the parties, lunches and general fest hits us.
Life
After the essay from hell was out of the way, I looked forward to an evening Christmas social with the geology society. It was one of those get-togethers where everyone brings food for a shared buffet. Wonderful! I did my favorite cajun spiced chicken legs and a bowl of bite-sized celery pieces with primula-with-herbs smoothed into the curved space.
Then there was a similar contribute-to-a-lunch on Firday. Different people, different food and equally good. It's easy to eat way too much. :)
Other than that, we've been engrossed in Masterchef the Professionals. It has been a revelation to see what can be done with food. This is Michelin-star quality food being cooked - and I want some! The food tastes good (according to Michel Roux Jr and Greg Wallace, the judges) and looks like a work of art. Stunning!
Food is really important to me and this programme has encouraged me to try new things. Ok, the herring the other evening were a bit of a disaster. Tonight is lamb tagine with apricots and roasted root vegetables, so fingers crossed it will be better. I love food with good flavour, especially herbs and spices, and a rich tagine is just what's needed as the temperatures slip below freezing!
Writing
I finished the essay from hell. Next week, I've promised myself to get back to my short story even though Christmas is on the horizon.
Life
After the essay from hell was out of the way, I looked forward to an evening Christmas social with the geology society. It was one of those get-togethers where everyone brings food for a shared buffet. Wonderful! I did my favorite cajun spiced chicken legs and a bowl of bite-sized celery pieces with primula-with-herbs smoothed into the curved space.
Then there was a similar contribute-to-a-lunch on Firday. Different people, different food and equally good. It's easy to eat way too much. :)
Other than that, we've been engrossed in Masterchef the Professionals. It has been a revelation to see what can be done with food. This is Michelin-star quality food being cooked - and I want some! The food tastes good (according to Michel Roux Jr and Greg Wallace, the judges) and looks like a work of art. Stunning!
Food is really important to me and this programme has encouraged me to try new things. Ok, the herring the other evening were a bit of a disaster. Tonight is lamb tagine with apricots and roasted root vegetables, so fingers crossed it will be better. I love food with good flavour, especially herbs and spices, and a rich tagine is just what's needed as the temperatures slip below freezing!
Writing
I finished the essay from hell. Next week, I've promised myself to get back to my short story even though Christmas is on the horizon.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Sunday Summary
Life
Highlight of the week was a Steeleye Span concert in Birmingham Town Hall. The German Market was on and the centre of Birmingham buzzed. It's great because there's no traffic and the waterfall in front of the Town Hall makes it a great place to be, winter or summer.
It's been getting colder, with sharp frosts at night. The garden looked silver and black in the moonlight last night, frost sparkling on the trees.
The moon was glorious when it came up last evening. We'd been over to Burford, one of the Cotswold towns, to get our Christmas cake. Coming back at dusk, a large, deep-golden moon rose above the hills and smiled at us all the way home.
Writing
Not much of this happening. I've been ill and my brain has refused to work. When I've written anything it's been for the Ancient Egyptian essay which must be in on Wednesday.
Must go and do a few more sentences before I make our evening meal.
Highlight of the week was a Steeleye Span concert in Birmingham Town Hall. The German Market was on and the centre of Birmingham buzzed. It's great because there's no traffic and the waterfall in front of the Town Hall makes it a great place to be, winter or summer.
It's been getting colder, with sharp frosts at night. The garden looked silver and black in the moonlight last night, frost sparkling on the trees.
The moon was glorious when it came up last evening. We'd been over to Burford, one of the Cotswold towns, to get our Christmas cake. Coming back at dusk, a large, deep-golden moon rose above the hills and smiled at us all the way home.
Writing
Not much of this happening. I've been ill and my brain has refused to work. When I've written anything it's been for the Ancient Egyptian essay which must be in on Wednesday.
Must go and do a few more sentences before I make our evening meal.
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