NaBloPoMo : Day [027:031] : Jamie Oliver Christmas Gravy

Jamie O Gravy, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

This year I plan to have a really relaxing Christmas day so I am cooking as much as i can in advance so I can just throw it all in the oven and spend more time playing with all the new toys : D

I am a huge gravy fan I could eat a bowl of it like soup so when I saw Jamie Oliver’s gravy on his Family Chritmas program (how cute is his baby Petal?!) I had to make it.

I was really easy and the smell whilst it was cooking was amazing, it tastes fab as well so can’t wait to have it on our dinner on Friday.

I also plan to make the roast potatoes and some parmesan parsnips in advance.

NaBloPoMo : Day [026/031] : Card Holder

Card Holder, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

I couldn’t find a nice card holder to match my decor in the lounge anywhere, so I made this from sparkly turquoise elastic, basic clothes pegs and decorated with more paper snowflakes! It has made 3 card holders for £3!

NaBloPoMo : Day [025/031] : Chocolate Jam Sponges

Chocolate Jam Sponge Cakes, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

As i have made lots of mince pies for the adults I thought I should make something for the children as well, also I wanted to try out my silicone cake cases!

These are just chocolate sponge with strawberry Jam in the middle, they have gone down very well with the boys today : D

NaBloPoMo : Day [024/031] : Mince Pies

First batch of home made mince pies!, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

First batch of Home made mince pies have been made! I have been meaning to make some for weeks.

They are gorgeous. I tried something different as I prefer ‘deep filled’ mince pies, so I use silicone cake cases, seems to have worked out quite well.

NaBloPoMo : Day [023/31] : Salt Dough Decorations

Salt Dough Chrstmas Decorations, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

We decided to have a go at the Salt Dough Christmas Decorations which Kirstie Allsopp made on he Christmas program DETAILS HERE.

I was pleasently surprised at how well it went! Me & Boo made the dough and then we all painted them – I couldn’t let the boys have all the fun – I had a go as well and mine are the 3 silver hearts.

We are going to be giving them to Grandparents as presents from the boys, just need to varnish them so they last.

NaBloPoMo : Day [022/031] : Expensive Presents

Inside Jake’s Treasure box……., originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

It’s about this time every Christmas I start stressing about presents, what I have to buy still, how much it all costs, will they play with it, where will I keep it, the list goes on!

This box is Boo’s ‘Treasure box’ he has been carrying it around for about 3 months now (far longer than any toy) although the contents do change as he finds new special things to put in it! All the bits and pieces he has found and kept hold of as he thinks they are ’special’, ‘magic’ or ‘important’!

Currently in there we have:

A match Attax insert card (all the other card are in his album, but this one is ’special’ as it doesn’t have a footballer on!lol!)

A Sheriffs badge – A special person badge as Boo calls it!

Some Fools Gold (Boo says its definieltely REAL gold) and a pink stone both taken from my jewelery box!

A Badge he made himself at the Christmas fayre

Footballers

A ‘Magic’ Book – possibly part of a mcdonalds toy his older brother had once

A Power Rangers Bag – Extra special as he pinched it from his older brother and got away with it.

A ‘Magic’ Watch he came back from his nans with!

Some Sparkly Christmas Trees

A Random fish! Part of a game I think?

So really I guess its time to stop stressing and except that he’ll probably prefer the boxes anyway

NaBloPoMo : Day [021/031] : Reindeer Food

Reindeer Food, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

I did intend to make a jar of Reindeer food for the boys to sprinkle outside this year, however the majority of the websites I looked at used a mixture of Oats and glitter and as we have a paved garden front and rear and no grass I thought Mr W may not fancy spending his festive week off scrapping up wet porridge off the slabs!

HERE is a recipe for it in case any one else fancies making some!

However Boo and Moo visited their nan and she has bought them a packet each to sprinkle. I may have to suggest we put it in a bowl with the carrot for Rudolph! While they are still young I am sure they will be fine with that.

NaBloPoMo : Day [020/031] : Santa Again!

Another Santa visit this weekend, this time though he was a bit synthetic looking, or rather his outfit was!

Jake Loving Santa dispite his extremely synthetic beard!, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

NaBloPoMo : Day [019/31] : Paper Snowflakes

Paper Snow Flakes, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

Tutorial for these is HERE

I love these paper snowflakes, unfortunately from my dodgy picture you can’t really appreciate how big they really are, but as it takes 6 A4 pieces of paper that gives you an idea.

They are a nice alternative from the ones we usually make from one folded piece of paper with bits cut out, although they are too advanced for boo to help with, so he just had to watch while Mummy had all the fun.

I would quite like to make some smaller ones out of nice sparkly white paper for my white tree.

NaBloPoMo : Day [018/031] : Festive Jammie Dodgers

Failed Jammie Dodgers, originally uploaded by Annaelizc.

I attempted to make THESE Festive Jammie Dodgers with Boo today, with the idea of making some more for gifts. However, they were an awful crumbly mess! Total failure! May use one of my other shortcake recipes and try again. They just ended up as powder, I left them in the oven for as long as possible trying to get them to firm up a bit but they just ended up a brown crumbly mess. Not even Mr W would try one!