Morning, everyone. It's been a chilly night here and I strongly suspect we have a slight frost - not that I am planning on going out and checking as I'm nice and cosy in pjs, slippers and oodie. Today looks like being a bit 'orrible, according to the BBC - heavy rain and a moderate breeze, starting mid morning and going on all day. Oh, well, it is what it is!
Yesterday was a really lovely day. Just one of those gentle, pottering, satisfying sort of days. I got a lot done . . .
made the Delia veggie sausage rolls
made the pigs in blankets
made the Christmas puddings
brought in the Christmas china
sorted out two cupboards so the Christmas china is now away behind doors
bit of washing and bit of ironing
The not-sausage rolls and the piggies are in the freezer now, having been open frozen so they are all separate while the puds will go in this morning, having cooled thoroughly overnight. They smell absolutely amazing, all spicy and 'plummy' and festive.
I had decided to buy mince pies this year rather than make them but, after yesterday, I am wondering whether to make them myself as I had so much fun. My shortcrust pastry is naff but Thermione would do all that for me. If I do, do I freeze them raw or baked? Decisions, decisions!
Strictly was a bit of a surprise as both those I thought would go weren't even in the dance off. No spoilers but we are now well into the last part of the competition and pretty much any of them could possibly win. Of course, it is as much a popularity contest as a dance contest - the judges provide the dance critique, both on screen and afterwards privately while the public vote is about popularity - and I'm as bad as anyone in voting for favourites, whether they have danced that well or not.
On to today and there's two things in the diary. The first is circuits at Lindsey's which I always look forward to.
The other is something I'm looking forward to - we have a new Food Warehouse (aka Iceland) in town, opening tomorrow. This new outlet is on the same precinct as Matalan and HomeSense and much easier to get to that the current shop which is in town and doesn't have much of a car park. With frozen goods, that's quite important.
Anyway, there's a pre-opening thing called the Slimming World Event (Iceland are the sole sellers of the SW ready meals, etc) from four to eight this evening with 10% off everything for SW members.
I don't have much freezer space but I do love a good nosey round, as you know, so I'm looking forward to it and also pleased that I'll be able to buy SW meals more easily from this time on. I don't use them much, don't like quite a lot of them, but there are some that I think delicious and having a few in the freezer is always handy.
And while we are on the subject of Iceland, I only recently learned that they do an ongoing 10% off for over 60s on Tuesday's, no minimum buy needed. That's another reason why I am interested in having a good nosey round this evening as I'm not all that familiar with what they actually stock.
Do you use Iceland? What do you get?
In between those two events, there's the usual - housework, more sorting and clearing, and so on. Not nearly so interesting but very necessary!
Have a lovely day, everyone. I hope any bad weather doesn't spoil your plans. xx
I'm hoping the building work re the storage room will be finished today. I've had enough of builders!
ReplyDeleteFrost on the car but no Iceland anywhere near!
Have a good day
You must be fed up by now. Worth it though in the longer term.
DeleteThanks, you too. xx
I used to go to Iceland occasional years and years ago as we had one near the office. Their own were the best oven bake chips.
ReplyDeleteOooh - chips. Mmmm. xx
DeleteMake sure you check the non frozen goods too, they can be very well priced
ReplyDeleteHazel
Good point, thank you. The discount is for everything, not just SW products. xx
DeleteI only wish I was half as organised as you are for Christmas. Xx
ReplyDelete< grin > It dates back to when I was teaching full time. I HAD to be more organised and my Mum always set me a good example in that respect. The habit has just stuck and, even though now I don't need to be so structured, I enjoy it all. It is nice not to feel stressed, that's for sure. xx
DeleteI knew about the 10% discount for pensioners on a Tuesday but didn't realise there is no minimum spend required ... all good to know, so I'll have another look.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your freezer is currently bulging with Christmas goodies after your baking session yesterday ... all those lovely flavours to look forward to! Do you plan to keep your Christmas china in the house from now on? xx
No - it will go into the garden room between seasons, when the garden room is built. For now, back in the garage again.
DeleteIt's nice to just have some empty space, to be honest. Really nice. xx
Hello Joy.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a busy baking weekend with lots of Christmas goodies to enjoy. This year I am buying the pudding but I will make some mincepies.
We have a Farmfoods at the bottom of our road so I don't tend to use Food Warehouse often although there is one not far away.
I'm glad you decided to have your 'Dad's Dinner Day',such a lovely way to remember him.
Blanket looks wonderful and cosy. I hope you enjoy the entrelac knitting too x
Thank you so much. I might make some mince pies - I'll see how I feel. xx
DeleteWow, you are super organised for Christmas, brilliant. It really takes the pressure off doesn't it if you are expecting to have people around. I've done nothing except buy the Advent calendars, although Alan has put in his Booths Christmas food order.
ReplyDeleteI used to shop at Iceland many years ago when I lived in Cumbria, but we haven't lived near one for a long time now. With all the supermarkets having such a good range of frozen foods I can't say that I've missed it that much, although I would love to have a look around one again. The opening even for SW members sounds like a really good opportunity to have a peruse.
It does - it's nice to have a relaxed few days before the actual day, especially if you have people round. You sounds good and ready too. :-) xx
DeleteOur Iceland Warehouse sells Greggs pies which are quite good and also large fish fingers which are quite expensive but just like a large piece of fish. I am going to my daughters for Xmas this year so I have very little preparation to do.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the Greggs range - some of them looked really nice but I resisted. Maybe another time, eh?
DeleteI'm sure you will have a really lovely time at you daughter's. xx
I do so wish that we had some of the stores here that you have in the UK. Heck, the U.S. even has some of your stores.....
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Really? We haver some of yours too, so that's good.
DeleteI'm fortunate to live in a developing city (right on the edge) so there are plenty of places only a short drive away which makes shopping much easier than it might be. xx
I freeze my pies raw and bake them early Xmas morning. They are so lovely when warm.
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious, aren't they? And they make the house smell amazing. xx
DeleteWow sounds like you've been really busy preparing for the holiday season. You are so organised.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I had to be pretty much organised by half term because there was no time once term started again and it could go right up to a few days before. I'm not nearly as organised now but still I like to get things at least timetabled so I know when it will be done.
DeleteServes me right for making such a thing of the season really!! :-)
xx