The ingredients for a walnut, orange and whiskey mincemeat were added, the aroma once again evoked memories of Christmas's past. It took some stirring due to my shoulder but between us we mixed it well.
Another bowl used to mix the ingredients for another mincemeat using figs and apricots as well as the more traditional sultanas and currants but once again it was given a good stir.
It was left overnight to develop the flavour. So you can imagine the smell already. The tantalizing smell of aromatic spice blending with the fruit, peel and juice was a delight. The stove was already lit due to the temperatures dropping and yet another storm hitting so we lit a couple of Yankee Candles to add to the atmosphere. Beautiful.
This morning we woke to gale force winds howling around the cottage and rain, lots of rain hammering against the windows. We are thankful that we have a roof over our heads and heat. Once again the ferries are cancelled for today so I am thankful for our store cupboard and all the extra food I have put away.
I have packed the mincemeat into sterilised jars and labelled them. I have also made some covers out of scraps of cotton and stamps.
I use Archival ink which is permanent/waterproof. It seems to work.
All ready for the store cupboard to be used as little gifts when needed.
The recipes I used were from an old Women's Institute book that I had so are easily available from the internet. I have made it a little earlier than usual but we are hopeful of getting away to visit family through December, we shall see...
I once again thank you for your comments and emails, Gerard is feeling much better the steroid injection has certainly helped. Rest, warmth and a little spoiling goes a long way.
See you soon.
I've got "Check ingredients for Christmas pudding" on my to-do list. Those fabric jar covers look really pretty especially with the twine ties.
ReplyDeletePerfect! I could smell that mincemeat all the way down here, such evocative aromas. Do you burn peat on the stove, or have those days passed? (I am stuck in the time warp of 50 years ago!) Good to know that Gerard is feeling better. I hope your shoulder improves soon.
ReplyDeleteDa da da...da da da...it's Christmas time in the ciiiity....
ReplyDelete:)
I can't wait!
Oooooh I can just smell it. I adore mincemeat. I must have a go at making my own as I never have due to me being the only one in the house who really likes mince pies.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that Gerard is feeling better now.
Hugs-x-
When I read the title of your blog post I almost groaned. I am SO not ready for Christmas. However as I read I could almost smell the inside of your cottage. There is something so delicious about the smell of mincemeat. I haven't made it for years.
ReplyDeleteGreat gift idea and nice toppers too.
ReplyDeleteI had decided not to do hampers for my sister and BIL and Col's sister and husband this year, but seeing your mincemeat I might change my mind because the one with figs is unusual so would make a good present. Love the covers you have made too. Hope the wind doesn't do any damage.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear your husband is feeling better
I love how you’ve personalised your linen jar covers, what a lovely idea. Glad you’re staying nice and warm and I bet your kitchen smelt amazing xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post , I can almost smell the mincemeat with your description i bet the cottage is lovely and cosy despite the weather xxx
ReplyDeleteCan you believe Christmas is only 2 months away!? My oh my, where has the time gone? I must confess that I have been listening to Christmas music already...I always wait until after Thanksgiving, but this year I am selling my handmade items in a couple of Christmas fairs and while sewing up my Christmas items I can't help but listen to carols :)
ReplyDeleteYour jars are simply lovely! Hugs to you, my friend!
Your christmas bowl is cute. I love your gift idea, mincemeat is one of my favourite things at christmas time. However I am the only member of my family that likes it but it never stops me treating myself.
ReplyDeleteOh, those are such sweet gifts! I love your attention to detail.
ReplyDeleteSuch charming covers for the mincemeat jars. So glad that spoiling is making Gerard feel better, that and medicine. Your weather sounds wild!
ReplyDeleteLorraine, I was so glad to hear that Gerard is better. I will continue to be praying for him. I love your post today. I can almost smell the mincemeat right now. And the sweet little jars and covers are perfect. You put so much love and attention to detail in each of the gifts that you make. Stay safe and warm my friend.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings, Betsy
Hello there! I always want to call you mama. I don't know why I suppose because of your blog title. :) Anyhow, I'm glad Gerard is feeling better. I love the covered jars. Such a charming primitive look.
ReplyDeletexx Beca
Your post is so charming . . . I love what you did and I know your cottage smells heavenly. The idea for the jar covers is perfect. I'm going to copy that idea this year; it turned plain jars into delightful gifts that look amazing :) Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOn the comment you left about visiting my Art Barn: I would love to have you visit. I'm sure that we could come up with a little creative mischief and a lot of laughs and giggles, LOL. I could even bake a cake :) I would love to visit your cottage, too. Now, how are we going to afford our airline tickets? That's the big question, LOL
Have a lovely day and stay warm
Connie :)
That Christmas mincemeat looks so good! I can just imagine what your house must have smelled like. Thanks for sharing about the ink you use ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely post; one that places the reader right inside that lovely cottage near the sea. Wow, you describe it so well. I love your jar covers; something I might like to copy, too!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely your jars and covers are. The mincemeats sound wonderful and I can imagine the festive aroma in your kitchen:)
ReplyDeleteOh my! I love mincemeat- aricots, figs and dates are lovely to eat just as they are, but in a mincepie? YUMMY! Take care in the stormy weather. Jane :)
ReplyDeleteThe covers are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHaving a Christmas mixing bowl is such an awesome idea! Why have I never thought of it. You know I'm on the look-out for one now.
ReplyDeleteI once got very ill after eating mincemeat and whether it was a coincidence or not I can't make myself try it again. BUT we love our fruit cakes and I must get my special bowl before I mix those up. They also make great gifts ( for those who love fruit cake. WHY do people make jokes about such a treat!!).
I so wish I could smell your mincemeat now because I burned a pan of broccoli earlier today and even after hours of having the doors open and then lighting a apple cinnamon candle I can still smell the burned smell. Sigh... thanks for airing out my brain with your report of the gale blowing around you, your cozy activities inside, and the wonderful jar cover examples, Loraine! :) xx
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteMincemeat is one of my favorite Christmas smells. I will need to make a small amount this year, since I am the only one in the family who'll eat it. That's ok, more for me! Phil
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the wonderful spicy scent filling your home. There's nothing like the fragrance of Christmas baking wafting through the house. I'm not a mincemeat fan, but will collect ingredients for Christmas cake and make it for my husband. Your jar toppers are lovely.
ReplyDeleteGlad Gerard is on the mend. Modern medicine can be so helpful.
You paint a pretty picture of you both enjoying scented candles with the house full of the aroma of spicy home-made goodness. I hope the chickens stayed safe and warm!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to get the smell of Christmas. Lighted candles looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGlad Gerard is feeling better, we all deserve to be spoilt now and then, I love the preserve covers, I love the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could breath in your Christmas smells. You make the best gifts ever.
ReplyDeleteI do adore homemade mincemeat. They are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think the wonderful smell just made it here to Florida from your house. Yum!
ReplyDeleteGlad your husband is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh your cottage must smell heavenly!!!!! So lovely at any time, but especially, when stormy outside. :-)
Wonderful little gifts you have amassed.
We are still in Haloween/Samhain Mode here, so my sig. line. ,-)
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