Yesterday, I forgot to say that the Christmassy thing was making stollen. I started with a BBC Good Food recipe but altered it considerably - milk instead of apple juice and loadsa butter - bad me. But this is Christmas stollen, not a nice, healthy fruit loaf. The whole of downstairs smelled lovely and it worked really well.
Looks good, doesn't it? It's now all wrapped and in the freezer.
I did my duty as a respnsible citizen and voted. No other comments to make as I keep off politics in here.
Although the tree isn't properly decorated yet, with the lights and everything it was looking a bit sad round the bottom so I wrapped up a few pressies to pop around and it looks much more cheerful. It's not a big pressie time for us nowadays, but a few to tuck under is festive.
It was the last pottery session of the term but, as the day went on, the aches, sneezes and snuffles got worse again and I ended up not going I'm sad about that now but there is next term to look forward to.
Today I ought to be off to Dad's but we have made a mutual decision that I won't. Apart from still not being 100% and possibly still carrying a few bugs around, I'd have to come back Saturday afternoon and Dad has a few festive things booked that wouldn't involve me. I'm sorry because it's been weeks since I saw him but it's sensible really.
In my original plans, before several changes, I was going to London today to look at the lights and decorations down Oxford and Regent Streets but I really don't feel like it one little bit, I'm not up to it so I'm not going. After all, it was supposed to be fun! So what I might do is take a drive out to a couple of garden centres where they probably have some lovely Christmassy things on the shelves. If I'm feeling lavish, I might even have a coffee there as well.
Apart from that and my lovely cleaner working her usual magic, there's nothing on the page for today so I think I will snuggle down with notebook and sheet of paper and write down the things I will need to get. Things like milk, cheese, fresh veg, fruit, etc. And then I will sort out the spare room as it might be needed over Sunday night.
Today's song isn't specifically about Christmas but, for me, it encapsulates one of the purposes of and reasons for Christmas.
I've chosen this clip because it's better quality that the others I found. The song starts at around 1:20.
You Raise Me Up, sung by Josh Groban and Lee Mead on the programme 'Any Dream Will Do'. Remember that?
When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
I hate stollen (much too sweet for me). Yours looks nice but I couldn't eat it. I know what you mean about not being too bothered about the city at Christmas. I am only in my 50s and work in a city hospital every day which I love but though I used to love being out and about in the city as I reach my mid 50s I find I like it less and less. Too crowded and time consuming, people wandering aimlessly get on my nerves when I am on a mission to get somewhere. Must be getting old lol.
ReplyDeleteI like stollen as long as I don't have too much of it. Yes, it is sweet what with the milk and sugar and all the dried fruit but a little is nice. It's in the freezer now, sliced and wrapped in individual slices so ouit of arms reach!
DeleteI find London is very claustrophobic at times. I was prepared to put up with a bit of push and shove in order to see the lights and shop windows but I'm not sorry really - it will be there next year (hopefully). xx
I love Stollen, especially when there is a generous blob of marzipan running through it. Yours looks a lovely texture!
ReplyDeleteHope you get a relaxing and recovering weekend!
I broke the marzipan into little chunks so it's all over the place. It was remarkably simple to make, much to my surprise. I didn't even have to faff with the wet dough as I did most of it in Thermione.
DeleteThe texture worked really well - it's not too solid and should toast well, if needs be.
xx
I've never eaten stollen!
ReplyDeleteHope that sniffle cold goes soon....... I know all about cancelled plans (tomorrows post!)
You've chosen one of my all time favourites today - Love Josh Groban - have a couple of CDS and this is one of his best tracks
He has a wonderful voice, doesn't he? I could listen to him for ages. I'm sorry you've had to cancel plans too. It goes with the season, I guess.
Deletexx
Please feel better! Love your blog of course!
ReplyDeleteDrink glass of water and add little bit of cider vinegar water! Heals and maintains!!!!! Chew tons of vitamin C
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda. I do think I'm on the up, it's just slow, that's all. A gentle weekend doing gentle Christmassy stuff will help tremendously.
ReplyDeletexx
Sorry to hear that you're still suffering. Take it easy and try not to overdo things, and hopefully you'll be feeling better soon. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen. I'll be fine soon, I am sure.
Deletexx
Praying.
ReplyDeleteThank you. xx
DeleteThat gave me goosebumps - it is a beautiful song. I've never had Stollen but must hunt up a recipe as yours looks tasty.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, isn't it? A beautiful song indeed.
DeleteThere are loads of stollen recipes around so I'm sure you will find one. I used 'instant' yeast, the kind for bread makers that doesn't need starting off, and it worked really well. I also added some orange oil for a bit more ooomph.
xx