Advent Day Two

Hello Friends!

A small sherry and a mince pie, I don't mind if I do!  

If there's one foodstuff synonymous with this time of year, it has to be mince pies.  Those tiny morsels of deliciousness, rich, moist, lightly spiced dried fruits coated in an alcohol based sugary syrup, encased in light shortcrust pastry, crisp, full of flavour and just delicious.  Two or three bites of heaven {if you like them, of course} They are everywhere, on menus in coffee shops and cafes, miniature ones served with your coffee after dinner, every supermarket bakery counter, and boxes of them piled high in every grocery department and shop from the corner shop to Fortnum and Mason's.  They even make it acceptable, even respectable, to have a glass of sherry mid morning as long as it's with a mince pie!

My Mum made the best mince pies ever!  I wish I'd paid more attention to her recipe, but I didn't so I just have to wing it. She never wrote it down.  There are those who will make their mince pies completely from scratch, there are those who will buy them ready to eat, and there are those, like me, who {although I used to bake mine from scratch with homemade mincemeat} do self-assembly with bought pastry and a jar of mincemeat.  

If you are looking for something a little more healthy, then pop on over to Jan's blog The Low Carb Diabetic and check out her recipe HERE.  Her blog is worth a visit anyway, not only for this recipe but for all the information, recipes, trivia and more.

The origins of this festive treat go back many centuries to the late Middle Ages when the use of vinegar or wine, sugar, and spices, such as nutmeg, mace, and cinnamon, were used to mask the smells and taste of meat that was past it's best. Rancid or not, it wasn't wasted and this prolonged it's usefulness.  Gradually, the sweet nature of this dish saw the slow progression from savoury main dishes to the dessert course.  By Victorian days, the meat element had all but disappeared, having been replaced by apples, and the only nod to its origins was from the addition of shredded beef suet to the mixture.  These days, beef suet has mostly been replaced by vegetarian suet which is readily available on the baking ingredients aisle of the supermarket.

Go into any supermarket and you will be confronted by every kind of mince pie imaginable from traditional, all pastry ones, to ones topped with streusel or crumble, soft icing, marzipan, and more.  The dried fruits now include cranberries and blueberries.  You can soak your fruit in any spirit based alcohol you like.  Rum, whisky, or brandy are always popular choices.  This year I've even seen plum and port mincemeat.

My favourite way to eat a mince pie?  Gently warmed, lift the lid and spoon in a dollop of brandy butter!  Slowly savoured sipping a mug of hot Russian Caravan tea!

I'm sure the sweet little bear on my Christmas Cherished Teddies plate would love one too!

*

Do you like mincepies? Do you have a favourite? What is your favourite way to eat them?

Behind door number two of the Advent Calendar

This calendar is illustrated by Lucy Grossmith and printed by Woodmansterne.

Until tomorrow . . .

Advent Day One

Hello Friends!

Today is Sunday December 1st and the beginning of Advent which, in the majority of Christian denominations, marks the beginning of the approach to Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It is a period of preparation and Advent begins officially on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which this year also happens to be December 1st.

It is marked in many ways, traditionally with the lighting of a candle each Sunday, or these days the tradition of an Advent Calendar, where paper doors open to reveal a religious text or image, but in recent years contain a small gift of chocolate, or for the absurdly rich and wealthy, whatever you can afford, such as one of Harper's Bazaar's beauty Advent calendars, with full size beauty products at prices to  make your eyes water.  Maybe you prefer the offerings from Selfridges, to show but a few.  Do Google your favourite store, they all have them, filled with everything from chocolate to cheese, or tea and coffee, Bonne Maman jam, wine, beauty products, ink, stationery, craft supplies, Lego mini kits,  You name it, there's an Advent Calendar to fit the bill. 

Like so many of our Christmas traditions, Advent calendars seem to have originated in Germany, but there are many traditions associated with Advent which vary from country to country and within branches of the Christian faith.  I could be here until next Christmas if I looked at them all!

Here is this year's Advent calendar,

and behind door number one . . . 

In Scandinavian countries, an Advent wreath is popular, with one of four candles lit each Sunday in Advent.  In the 1970's, the Blue Peter Advent Crown was all the rage with children in the UK.  Health and Safety were not an issue back in the day, with flammable tinsel, candles and fire in the mix!

this image is from the Daily Mail . . . 

In true Blue Peter style, here's one I made earlier instructions!

Blue Peter Advent Crown

Until tomorrow . . . 

Heads Up . . .

Hello Friends!

Tomorrow, December is upon us! 

I shall be attempting a short, daily blog for Advent.  I'll post the Advent calendar image of the day, rather Treasure will post the Advent image of the day, and there'll be some old photos reshared, and a sprinkling of Christmas related snippets.

Typing is not easy so they will probably be short, but I wanted you to know there will be a small deluge of posting from me.  Call it the Blogging equivalent of the Icelandic Jólabókaflóðið   I know many of you appreciate the difficulty I am having keeping up with this blog and I am grateful for your patience and support.  I truly am.

I hope you'll drop by to see what I'm sharing!

See you tomorrow!

Stay safe, stay warm,

Debbie x

You've Got To Laugh . . .

Hello Friends!

You've got to laugh or you will cry.  Couriers get either a bad rap or a good rap.  It varies from region to region, and from courier to courier.  Some can't fault Evri, others think they are the worst ever, repeat for Yodel, DHL, DHS, UPS, Royal Mail etc.

On the whole, in my region Evri are good, at least on the ground.  Our Evri courier is of the sort who will go the extra mile.  We all think very highly of him.  If there is a problem, it is generally caused by the system, not him.  The only time things go radically wrong with Evri is when he goes on his  holibobs and we get a relief courier who simply hasn't got a clue.  Poor chap spends a week sorting out the mess made by the relief courier when he comes back to work after his time off.

Recently, problems have begun to happen in the system.  I've had a few issues with parcels going astray, but today takes the biscuit.

Yesterday I ordered some goods from a major store and I paid extra to get next day delivery.  I received the usual confirmation emails and sat back to await my delivery.  Eventually, much later than usual, I received an email telling me my parcel was out for delivery and would be with me between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Great!  I left the porch light on.  I waited . . . and I waited . . .  and I waited , , , 

No parcel.

Then, shortly after 5:30, a tad late, it arrived.  Relief!  

Shortly afterwards I received the following advice of delivery.  Please take note of the last three lines.

Well if that doesn't confuse you or put a smile on your face, nothing will.  As someone told me, UN delivering a parcel takes some skill.

Here's a little painting I did from Eunice J Friend's Watercolour Wednesday's group paint along.  It is going to become a special Christmas card for my Godmother.

The weather outside is fierce again as Storm Conell makes its presence felt.  Heigh ho! Here we go! Wind, rain,and cold.  

Until next time

Stay warm and stay safe

Debbie x

Another Win!

Hello Friends!

I won another Giveaway!  This time on YouTube and you can see what I won 

HERE 

on Shirley's video

I am especially excited about the Tim Holtz Distress Crayons wallet and the Strawberry Thief ephemera.  I must wait patiently for it to arrive!

It's been a strange and sad week for reasons I cannot share as it's not my story to tell.  At least the weather has been better today.  Cold and sunny, mostly dry, and some beautiful rainbows. 

There have been horrendous floods across the United Kingdom.  I am pleased to say the idiot responsible for THIS has been arrested.  What on earth was he thinking?

Thank you all who commented on my last blog. I am still trying to get answers but will keep you posted.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay warm and well

Debbie x

Is the NHS Dysfunctional or Simply Non Existent?

Hello Friends!

I am in total disbelief. Furious doesn't even begin to cover it.

I last saw my {so called} Parkinson's specialist in October 2023. Whether or not I should call him a specialist is a moot point for reasons I won't go into right now.

What I will go into is this.

I am supposed to see a specialist at least every six months. Over the past twelve months I have had one postponed appointment after another. After the October 2023 appointment, my next appointment was scheduled for May 2024. Shortly before it was due, I received a letter that rescheduled it to June. Within a few weeks, the June appointment was rescheduled to October 2024. Then in September 2024 I received notification that the October appointment was rescheduled to February 2025. A letter has just arrived to tell me that the February 2025 appointment is cancelled and now the responsibility is upon me to contact them if I wish to reschedule.

Our NHS is beyond broken. It is non existent. There are no words. I have yet to decide what I will do next. I will take the weekend to consider my options, if I actually have options to consider.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay well

Debbie xx

I Won . . .

Hello Friends!

. . . a £20.00 Amazon gift voucher!

On a page I follow on Facebook they asked the following:

So….at its most basic level - how do you “winter”? Do you do anything in particular to keep yourself feeling brighter at this darker time of the year?

Here's my reply:

I don't think of myself as enjoying winter yet somehow it is my most self pampering season. I withdraw, like the year, as if preparing in hibernation to blossom the following spring. I complain loudly how much I loathe the darker days, the longer nights, and the clocks changing, but then I dance for joy on the Winter Solstice and celebrate the returning of the light. My cottage becomes a cocoon of comfort, with blankets and throws, scented candles, hot chocolate and mince pies, fresh picked greenery decorates my door and vases, books wait their turn on the table by my easy chair in front of the fire and I prepare to indulge as I recharge and restore my aching body.

I feel like I've won a Pulitzer Prize!

Anyone who knows me will know that this is me, not some romanticised, inspired scrivening in a vain effort to win a voucher, but really and truly me.   It's how I roll.  It is my true being.

At one time, I would have declared it my favourite season, but in recent years this changed to reflect my love of Autumn.  Now, my thoughts change again and I find beauty in each season in turn.  Having Parkinson's also impacts as it changes what I can appreciate, or how I appreciate it.

As the days close in and night falls earlier with the passing days, so the candles appear in greater numbers.  I have loads of tea light holders and my favourite tea lights to burn are these Prices Sentinel 8 hour tea lights.  

They burn cleanly, no sooting, and burn for at least 8 hours.  They can be put out and they relight well, unlike many that once extinguished that's it.  I recall the original version of these "nightlights" when I was a child.  I had one in my room every night and for safety they came in a cardboard outer which was placed to burn in a shallow dish of water!

They are very useful for tabletop food warmers to keep food and drink warmer for longer in the winter when temperatures drop quickly.

I recently found these even bigger, longer burning ones

I

I think I might spend my voucher on this

I like the brand, and they are a fraction of the price of Yankee Candles at around 30% less!  Additionally, they are a British company, established in 1830 {although they went into receivership in 2003 and were bought out by an Italian company} and they hold a Royal Warrant.

On the other hand, I need a corner punch for my latest crafty makes, blog following in a few days.  Oh! I have choices, and choices is not a good thing for a Libran to face.

Other things that bring me comfort in the months of hibernation are plates of delicious home made food and treats

A bowl of nourishing, warming soup

A yummy cake

A bowl of porridge topped with fresh homemade cranberry almond relish

A mug of  Spiced White Chocolate with Pumpkin

Bara Brith and Butter

Irish Soda Bread

A Chocolate Brownie

and my newest love, a gift received this week for a belated birthday present, a tall tin of Fortnum & Mason's Toffolossus biscuts!  They are scrumdiddliumptious!

There are stacks of books aplenty in my cottage, some like this one a charity shop find!

or a stack of interesting titles

Some of my favourite blankets

A parcel in the post!  Beautifully packed . . . 

A favourite pair of socks

Pinecones and candles

A comfortable armchair

the list goes on!

of course, I used to go out gardening and walking, but no longer, however I shall shortly share some of my library of winter photographs which I know you will enjoy!

How do you survive winter?

Until next time

Stay Well

Debbie x

Top of the Pops

Hello Friends!

I don't know how much longer I will be able to type. It really is an effort now but I intend to keep going as long as I can. Good days, bad days, and they can't find the balance needed in my medication. I have an appointment to see the doctor in February. I found out he is a general doctor not a neurological specialist. If I see him in February, it will be 16 months since my last appointment. This, my friends, is the state of our NHS, once the envy of the world.

Anyhoo, all day long I've been encountering messages from the Universe nudging me with little reminders of my favourite things. I think she's trying to get me to focus on something positive, given all the events of recent days, so I have drawn up my Top Ten Favourite Things List. In no particular order:

Bees

Lavender

Umbels

Sunflowers

Fungi

Pumpkins

Starry skies

Moonlight

Dandelions

Raindrops

As I was going along, I realised there are so many more favourite things I could have included but will save that for another gloomy day!

Until next time

Keep swimming!

Debbie xx

November

The month when Autumn brings all her glorious colours to the table, the last hurrah before we slumber through the Winter that is yet to be.  The bright and vibrant reds and yellows and oranges we see across the forests in the trees are echoed in the colours of birth month flowers of chrysanthemums, the rich yellow birthstone topaz, the burning embers of the fires we light to keep us warm . . . everything is painted in warm colours, as if we need reminding of the cold blue that will soon be upon us.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay well, stay warm

Debbie x

Halloween

Happy Hallowe'en

Noson Galan Gaeaf

Samhain Blessings 

The Hunter's Moon

Hello Friends!

Last night, October 17th saw the sky filled with the full Hunter's Moon which also happened to be one of four supermoons in 2024.

The name Hunter's Moon is applied to the full moon that falls during the month of October and was so named because the month of October was generally spent hunting meat and preserving it for the coming months of winter that lay ahead.  Hunter's Moon originates from the Anglo Saxons but prevails in other cultures under different names such as Freezing Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, or Seed Fall Moon.

Last night's full moon was also a supermoon meaning the moon was in very close proximity to Earth and appeared up to 30% bigger and brighter in the sky.  It coincides with the high Spring Tides and storm force winds of up to 75mph or greater anticipated, so there is bound to be localized flooding and damage with the ensuing tidal surges.

Thank you everyone for your wishes over my finger which is healing well, and I've been able to start doing a little crocheting again, with care.

Until next time, 

Stay safe, stay well

Debbie xx

Then There Was Blood

Hello Friends!

I've been at a standstill for a few days having stupidly sliced open the top of my middle finger with a very sharp blade.  It was one of those stupid things that can, and often does, happen to anyone.  As with most incidents involving sharp implements and fingers, there was blood.  The first thing I had to do was stop the bleeding before I could even think about opening the First Aid Kit one handed!  Once the bleeding stopped, I sterilized the cut with Tea Tree oil and covered it with a dressing, mainly to protect it from reopening. A day later I was happy to remove the dressing, but it brought a sharp halt to my crafting and making of things.  After all, I didn't want to reopen the cut and get blood on my makes!

As I mentioned earlier, I've just taught myself to crochet and am making a poncho, which was coming along nicely until the cutting of my finger.  I've just about finished up the first ball, the poncho is now about 6" deep.  One ball down, two to go!  It's taking an eternity, and the weather is getting colder and I want to wear it!

Last night, the film adaptation of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was on.  It's okay, but not a patch on the book.  I won't say anything more unless you're waiting to either view or read.

Since I last wrote, I've had both my seasonal 'flu and Covid vaccinations, ten days apart.  It's worrying to read the rate at which the new variant of Covid is spreading and already putting strain on the NHS with hospital admissions.  Time to start wearing a mask again, I do think.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay well

Debbie xx