sweet little nothings

Halfway through the festive season and I take stock of all the extra kilos I think I have put on...I might say I wonder where they have come from, abut really - really- I need to be honest and face the facts: we have completely indulged and over indulged so far (I stopped counting how many boxes of chocolates we have already been through). Never mind, I guess that's what it's all about, no?
Amongst many lovely lunches and dinners, I have made Tom Kerridge's spiced orange cake and the man of the house has made us a yummy borsch in an attempt to restore the balance.
Even baby tried lots of new food, and she now loves mango and cauliflower cheese. Cute!

I hope the end of 2013 has treated you all well.

 *** Best wishes to you for those last few hours it has to offer ***

(I'm off to eat)

holiday treats

'Tis the season to be jolly...fa la la la la...You know the rest. Today on the BBC website I read an article about the stress of Christmas and how lots of us aren't able to cope with the high-running emotions. I have to say, I get their point. So much expectations to have fun - must remember to have a good time no matter what, etc. Well, I attended the customary end of year meal/party at work, and have to confess, that no, I did not have a great time. There- I said it! Did anybody else get bored this year? (Gosh, I hope I'm not turning into a bitter old woman already)

Now, onto actual real fun things: check out the lovely stash of fabric my colleague gave me! All vintage, some good, some bad, but all definitely mine now. Of course, I had to try and hide it from the Man, who now has a near heart attack/fit every time he spots new fabric in the house...but nay, the Man outwitted me this time, and put on his worst face when the other night he said to me with his angry-and-I-mean-it-voice: "what's all this?" Oops...
Hence the puddinis, which were a success, as they are every year. It was like a factory on Sunday night at home. I was trying to decorate the puddinis and watch the Sewing Bee Christmas special at once. I missed at least half the episode as a result, but I have to admit that I agree with what was said on the programme - homemade presents are not for everybody.
Puddinis, however, are homemade and guaranteed to please even the most reticent and anti-Christmas person you know. Nigella, I don't care what you do when you're not being a domestic goddess, your recipes rock!

indulging season

When the wind is cold, when you need a wooly scarf to go out, when you look forward to being home and snuggling up on the sofa under your quilts, when you long for a cup of tea to warm your hands with, when only a lamb stew will do for dinner, when it's December and night comes in the middle of the afternoon...that's when you need to start indulging without worrying too much about extra calories!

So, in the past few days, my indulging has looked liked this, and guess what, I'm not even feeling slightly guilty about it. I hope you are all doing the same wherever you are. Life really is too short.

♦ Happy December, one and all ♦