This is my brothers cake, I cheated and used simple purchased decorations, along side are my individual cakes they are a bit deep, the balance works well, I have a marzipan top with a icing star, mine are without the marzipan. They taste great, I will make smaller ones again next year. I have left the top of ours bare, same as daughters, I have no desire to create any decorations and daughter has her own reusable one.
Daughter visited on Saturday with her three to see my brother, Will is feeling much better, he has bounced back quickly. The children played in the garden for a while, it was a dry day, I had planned to do some crafting but it was just too busy, so I sent this paint yourself nativity set home with them, Sunday they visited Santa so they can paint afterwards.
Sunday the children went to see Santa, George and Molly were very excited, Will is now making commitments about him being fake, at 8 years old the bubble has burst. Daughter asked them to sit on the snowman seat together, I loves this scene, this seat has featured in many of our Christmas photos.
Sunday my brother spent a few hours with his daughter and grandson, we walked to our local Co-op, did not need much, I got a nice selection of cheeses and patè, we got some fresh veg as well. Once again this year hubby received a £50 voucher, its a brilliant gift from his former employer, just to those who completed 20+years service. In previous years its taken a few trips to spend the whole amount, this year we spent over half on our first visit.
It's quiet here my brother does not want to go out much, he's OK walking to the village, no stopping for coffee and cake, does not want to walk to shore or castle. Hubby does get bored staying in every day, so I'm juggling two different men to keep everyone happy. My brother does not accept compromise, even at our house he likes things on his terms, which as I become older is hard work. I love him dearly but I wish he was just a little more accepting to our ways.
I have wrapped all the childrens presents, and was surprised how many bits we have for the grandchildren, I lost track of my purchases, should have made a list, they will be happy. I managed to find daughter a gift, it should arrive by midweek, then I am completely done.
Your cakes look delicious and very tempting.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to accommodate people with needs and wishes different to your own - and tiring!
The children will enjoy painting the Nativity scene.
My son kept up the pretence of Father Christmas for many years, thinking he would not get a Christmas stocking if he confessed!
I haven't been able to find time to make a Christmas cake, I do like the look of the small ones you made so I might do that in ghe week at least then I can give some away!
ReplyDeleteYour Xmas cakes always look amazing. It was a great idea to make the small ones. I love the paint your own nativity figures. LB is crocheting me a nativity this year, or part of it. I'm looking forward to receiving it. I remember when LB started to question father Xmas, due to someone at school telling her he wasn't real. I just bought a frame for a picture of LB visiting Father Xmas on her first Christmas. We put it out every year, so I thought it was about time I framed it to protect it.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, keeping one man happy is hard enough, haha. No, you don't get much for your money these days. We popped into Sainsburys at the weekend and got a few bits, it didn't even fill one bag and it cost over £30. Prices have skyrocketed with inflation.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas cakes look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the children on the snowman seat. Hasn't Will grown tall!
It sounds like you are almost ready for Christmas now, so have a great time and enjoy a few moments just for you.
Gorgeous cakes Marlene. The children look so sweet on the snowman seat. It's a shame your brother can't compromise a bit more, especially as he's staying with you. Must be hard to be stuck in the middle.
ReplyDeleteWell done with the cakes,I have made one for us and one for son in law. I didn’t ice mine.Your beautiful Grandies are all getting so tall. It’s tiring balancing everyone’s personality and needs JennyP
ReplyDeleteYour cakes look very nice.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely photograph of Will, George and Molly with the snowmen.
All the best Jan
What lovely cakes you make each year. The Christmas photo of the grandchildren is a keeper for sure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
What lovely cakes!
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult when one likes to be in and the other out.
Lovely photo. My granddaughter went to see Father Christmas and she said no photo so there isn't one lol
Such a lovely picture of the children. I find it hard to get a posed shot of them all together without them making a face or closing their eyes at the wrong time!
ReplyDeleteYour cakes are delightful. I think my brother will end up like yours as he is on his own and does what he wants when he wants. Thankfully, I don't have to have him to stay! He would be welcome though and he does always join in with our family get together which must be so chaotic and noisy for him.