The after thoughts...

How time flies when Christmas is on it's way! I can't believe my last post was November, but then I had been trying recipes destined for presents and not to be revealed before the 'Big Day'! And now, here we are, enjoying the family time and getting ready for the harsh weather that is set to descend on us in the New Year no doubt... We have had plenty of exhilarating walks by the sea and around lovely Leeds Castle (a great Boxing Day treat, with chance to see the beautifully (and very interestingly) decorated rooms before they get back to normal).

Outside the garden looks bare and the blackbird is still coming for the odd flakes of pastry and ends of bread we can share with him. The cold has kept on biting, making sure we are wrapped in our Christmas scarves and gloves whenever we venture out, and the recent storms have flooded the paths, managed to seep their way into the roof of the shed and have ripped through several rickety fence panels, leaving us plenty to be getting on with and therefore keeping us warm! I realise how lucky we have been though, and my thoughts go out to those who have been badly affected by the weather and flooding. Let's hope we can all start to dry out soon.

All month, I've been happy tweaking and testing and trying out recipes with the full purpose of presenting both R's parents and my Mum with a Cabbages and Custard hamper, complete with blog published (well they will be!) foods. I designed and made some labels and bought some lovely wicker hampers, then set about making, baking and preserving in time for Christmas day.

Each hamper had a bottle of Limoncello made earlier this year, a small jar of mango chutney, a Christmas tweaked Cranberry and walnut loaf (just add icing and glitter - see photo), a Brioche loaf, some Christmas granola, a shortbread tower and mustard and herb biscuits for cheese (last three recipes to follow). R's parents also had a small malthouse loaf to try.

Christmas style Cranberry and Walnut loaf

The start of a collection of foods...

...all packed and ready to go!

It was great fun to do and very well received. Perhaps I need to start my own little business??!! For now I will potter along with my recipes, and keep up my blog. There are a few posts to catch up with, so the next few days are for that. Glad to be back! :-)