Getting Ready

What a difference a day makes.  I have woke to a beautifully calm morning, although still dark it is not yet 7 the noise from the wind and rain have stopped.  We were very lucky it didn't blast the Island as much as anticipated.  Ireland took the brunt causing endless damage and taking lives, my heart goes out to all those affected.  Normal services have resumed on the ferry too this morning.  Monday saw the first of the problems with the lunchtime ferry struggling to berth at Ullapool on the mainland and subsequent services cancelled.  I have yet to see the consequences and effects this would have on the Supermarkets and business's but I can guess.  Some flights were also cancelled but I am not sure of the extent of cancellations.  There were power cuts on the mainland but power was maintained here on the Island enabling me to tick somethings off my list.

I kept myself busy sorting out clothes and shoes for my forthcoming trip. I was going to pop my shoes into a plastic bag and then decided to make a couple of  shoe bags to keep my clothes clean.  My neighbour had given me some fabric the week before so it was perfect for the project.

Lined with some plain green fabric and finished off with a red ribbon.

Whilst the machine was out I made a few key rings for gift toppers out of some scraps of Harris Tweed.

I also added to the pile with some pom pom key chains, again perfect for a gift topper.

I then went on to make the Christmas puddings, making two large ones and two small ones.  I used the traditional Delia Smith recipe with a little addition of Port.

They are all now wrapped and ready to go.  All they need is reheating for an hour on the day.

The jam store was added to I made some blueberry jam, ready to pop into a small basket for my parents along with some other of their favourites.

Finally from the kitchen a little earlier than usual, the Christmas cake has been made.

This year I intend to top the fruit cake with a wonderful array of fruit and nuts and not the traditional marzipan and royal icing, but for now the cake is all ready and can be fed a little with some brandy.  Potatoes were popped into the oven whilst the cake was cooking and enjoyed with some cheese and beans, a wonderful Winter warmer.

The wrapping of the gifts is going well I am hoping to have them all wrapped ready to go by the end of the day.  |I am ever hopeful, maybe tomorrow is more realistic.

The birds are once again gathering in the garden so I will leave you with a couple of images to finish.

World weather conditions seem to be dominating the news at the moment, hurricanes, storms, fires, flooding and earthquakes.  Where ever you are I hope you are safe.  I once again thank you for your concern and comments, both Gerard and I were touched by your messages.  They were certainly well received and indeed appreciated.

See you soon.

Stir Up Sunday

Sunday was stir up Sunday, the traditional day for making your Christmas Pudding over here in England.  It gets its name from the beginning of the collect for the day in the book of common prayer which begins with the words "stir up, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people".  It is always the last Sunday before the season of Advent.  The whole family gather in the kitchen to make the pudding and each are given the chance to stir the pudding and make a wish for the year ahead.  It is stirred from East to West honouring the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus.

These days there is only my husband and I to stir it up and it takes some stirring as I like to make at least 6.  This year was no exception 5 traditional recipe and 3 with cranberries replacing the currants.  The smells permeating around the house was a joy, for me the real smell of Christmas and the start of the Christmas season.  We sang along to a real mixture of songs and carols, a treat and joy.  I did have to do them in 2 lots as I didn't have enough pudding bowls so some were cooked Sunday, some Monday but they are all ready and taste better for leaving.

The standard of the photograph sadly is very poor the lighting in the kitchen is not good adding to the time of day they were taken but I will share what I can.

 

Port was added this year instead of the usual stout, orange peel not added to batch with cranberries.

 

Whilst the puddings were boiling away I made a start with some baking for the freezer.  Boy, with all the steam and heat from the oven it was hot in that kitchen.

 

I had several bananas that were starting to brown and needed using up so I made two loaves of banana bread.  Once cool one was sliced and wrapped individually for the freezer and the other frozen whole.

 

 

I made 2 dozen crumble topped mince pies with nuts and 1 dozen without the added nuts.

 

 

The tin is full with a variety of jam tarts for this week and a couple of lots of uncooked pastry is now in the freezer ready to make more.

 

 

Cheese and onion quiches and cheese and broccoli quiches have been added to the freezer, the perfect accompaniment to a winter salad.

 

 

Cheese scones are now in the freezer already to be served with soups.  I made carrot and coriander soup, parsnip with nutmeg and leek and potato soup for the freezer.  The perfect winter warmer and ideal to pull out for a quick meal throughout December when we are so busy.

 

 

Soups, scones and quiches were also made for my parents freezer to make it easy to feed family when they visit.  I do need a couple more baking sessions but a start has been made.  This is what the season is all about sharing with loved ones and remembering Jesus is the reason for the Season!  Rejoice!

 

See you soon.