Good morning, everyone. After a nasty, wet, windy day yesterday, it looks as if today is going to be a bit nicer. It has started better anyway - no wind, no rain, a semi-clear sky and the ground is dry. Fingers crossed.
What did I do yesterday?
Well, I made some pastry in Thermione as I said yesterday, and used half to make some mince pie bites and that finished off my jar on mincemeat. I am sure I have enough now.
And I made a batch of the oats and seeds crackers - you make it in a slab and then, when it is completely cold, you break it into irregular shards. They are delicious and seriously addictive but in the best way as they are packed with highly nutritious and heart-healthy ingredients. Also, they are adaptable. I swill be making these again and again and again. Here's the link to the recipe. https://loveandflourbypooja.com/oats-and-seeds-crackers/
Today's Advent of Change focus is Emmaus which works to end homelessness and it says: Today you have helped fund specialist support and accommodation for someone escaping domestic abuse. Wow! https://emmaus.org.uk/
Here's today's puzzle. Either it was a remarkably easy one to do or I'm getting just a bit better at it!
Only two more bits to do and I've really enjoyed it.
However, as you know, My Christmas goes on until Twelfth Night (just be grateful it doesn't go on until Candlemas, Feb 2nd) and, as well as my twelve little gifts to myself, I am getting out last year's puzzle and doing two bits each day.
And M&S has 'given' me another hair product, a blow dry cream, which I will definitely use, starting today!
Today is a busy day, as is tomorrow, because I want everything done and dusted before Christmas Eve. So there's cleaning, tidying, washing, drying, ironing, sorting out, rearranging . . . and a partridge in a pear tree!
By tomorrow evening, everything should be ready.
OK, that sounds much more than it actually is and I will definitely have time to watch all the stuff that I have set to record so I'm not feeling at all sorry for myself!
About this time last year, I was waiting for the taxi to arrive to drive me and Diane to the ship to start our cruise. It feels a bit 'odd' thinking about it. Maybe, one day . . .
How about you? Are you nearly there, going away, having people round, keeping it quiet . . . ?
I like this short poem by Eleanor Farjeon.
How will you your Christmas keep? Feasting, fasting or asleep? Will you laugh or will you pray, Or will you forget the day?
Be it kept with joy or pray'r, Keep of either some to spare; Whatsoever brings the day, Do not keep but give away.
Today's Advent Calendar music is a beautiful rendering of 'Mary, Did You Know?', sung by the One Voice Children's Choir.
I think I'll definitely make those seeded crackers and Ali's oatcakes, probably in the new year now. So easy but I bet they taste so much better than bought ones. xx
Ooh-love the idea of those seeded oatcakes-thanks for link to the recipe. Waitrose delivered on time with only two unimportant items missing- very grateful and have told them so in the survey. Catriona
Good evening, Joy. After an incredibly busy last week at work before the holidays, I've been enjoying a lovely catch up with your Blogmas posts, and especially the music :) I'm also almost ready for Christmas now. I've still got to bake some mincemeat shortbread and I also need to visit the farm shop to buy some sticky toffee pudding, but besides all of that, I can relax a bit. I've felt a huge (and much needed) difference with taking the pressure off myself this year. Xx
Hi, Jules. I'm so glad the run up has been easier this year - sometimes we just make it so much harder for ourselves, don't we. Good for you. Mincemeat shortbread sounds totally lush as does sticky toffee [pudding. Lovely. I'm glad you've liked the music. I put the playlist on this morning while I decorated the Christmas cake and it was lovely. xx
You know what - it's not as busy as it sounds and most of it is fun (we won't count the housework in this though). Good luck to you - I think it really is worth getting stuff done. xx
I think I'll definitely make those seeded crackers and Ali's oatcakes, probably in the new year now. So easy but I bet they taste so much better than bought ones. xx
ReplyDeleteMe too, Sooze. Catriona
DeleteThey really, truly do, Sooze and Catriona. They are absolutely delicious and no rubbish stuff added. So good. xx
DeleteOoh-love the idea of those seeded oatcakes-thanks for link to the recipe. Waitrose delivered on time with only two unimportant items missing- very grateful and have told them so in the survey. Catriona
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning rendition of Mary Did You Know❤️ Catriona
DeletePhew - that's excellent. Such a relief when it's all done, isn't it?
DeleteAnd yes, isn't it lovely. xx
DeleteNow you've put me to shame. Cleaning and dusting is on hold today and we're just having a chilled out day.
ReplyDeletelol - I want to chill on Christmas Eve and am just sort of doing a bit at a time. xx
DeleteGood evening, Joy. After an incredibly busy last week at work before the holidays, I've been enjoying a lovely catch up with your Blogmas posts, and especially the music :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also almost ready for Christmas now. I've still got to bake some mincemeat shortbread and I also need to visit the farm shop to buy some sticky toffee pudding, but besides all of that, I can relax a bit. I've felt a huge (and much needed) difference with taking the pressure off myself this year. Xx
Hi, Jules. I'm so glad the run up has been easier this year - sometimes we just make it so much harder for ourselves, don't we. Good for you.
DeleteMincemeat shortbread sounds totally lush as does sticky toffee [pudding. Lovely.
I'm glad you've liked the music. I put the playlist on this morning while I decorated the Christmas cake and it was lovely.
xx
Sounds like a busy day tomorrow! I also have plans to get most things done tomorrow so I'm not racing around on Christmas Eve. We shall see lol
ReplyDeleteYou know what - it's not as busy as it sounds and most of it is fun (we won't count the housework in this though).
DeleteGood luck to you - I think it really is worth getting stuff done. xx