Ready and Waiting...

I am ready!  Ready to sit back and enjoy the season.  Well, as ready as I am going to be...I will of course have to top the mince pies off, the tin has already been replenished three times.  I have some ready to pop in the oven in the freezer and some pastry made in the fridge.  We have had a steady stream of visitors, both here and with my parents so the cake tins have been given a battering. 

I make simple cupcakes  and pop them in the freezer bringing a dozen or so out at a time and once they are defrosted give them a topping.  The last batch was a rocky road topping, I have to confess they were a little moreish.

 

Last years advent calendar was saved and the plastic mould used to make chocolate tops for a simple iced cake.  Saves a fortune on buying seasonal toppers.

 

 

The hot chocolate stirrers are made and ready to go...I pour melted chocolate into an ice cube tray, pop in a ice lolly stick or a candy cane and top with mini mallows or a large seasonal mallow.  I wrap in cellophane and tie with curling ribbon to pretty them up.

 

 

They can be as cheap or as expensive as you like, value chocolate can be bought for as little as 30p a bar.  One bar will make about 12.  We love the mallow on top but you could add candy cane shavings or chocolate shavings or a little cinnamon.  Give it a try and see what you prefer.

 

I have just made some mallow fudge to pop into bags to have on a table by the front door, the local Youth Group are coming around the village carol singing and I want something to give them.

 

 

It needs to be refrigerated for several hours before cutting into cubes and bagging.  Curling ribbon works perfectly for a pretty effect.

 

The cards have been made, written some with an additional letter,  posted and hopefully received.

 

The gifts have all been wrapped, posted, delivered or collected.

 

I am pleased with the overall effect of the finished décor, just an additional table to squeeze into the dining room so that we can all sit together.

 

For now, I have at the ready of pile of Christmas films to watch, some great classic Christmas music to listen to and baby quilt to make.  Bliss!   How are your preparations going?

 

See you soon.