Poppy Patchwork


My little bit of this big World

Tuesday 2 November 2021

It's coming, so get ready.

Both Christmas cakes have been baked, I always put them upside down on the cake board, I can then tuck the marzipan in along the bottom, giving a neater finish to the icing. Both cakes have had a drink of brandy, daughters cake will now be covered in marzipan, I only ever give it one drink as Will loves cake, and I'm not prepared to let him eat boozy cake.  Our cake will get a few more drinks, I am only decorating our cake this year, Will and daughter will do theirs. 
We decided to be naughty this year,  I love Galaxy and hubby loves Thorntons, a couple of years ago I made hubby an advent calendar and I had a yarn calendar, but these are much cheaper and the chocolate inside is much smaller. I am hoping the inside is foil and not too much plastic. 

I have a couple of presents to wrap, for my sister and her partner, I don't think they will visit before Christmas and we have no plans to drive down to Somerset again this year. My brother is here next weekend and I will have everything ready for him to take back. We never spend huge amounts, just something I know they will love. My sister does not read this blog. 
My cactus is blooming, it always blooms early, brings colour into the bathroom, these blooms will last a long time, I never move this plant from this spot. 

I am fully into Christmas preparations, we did a big supermarket shop last week, so we have all our treats, tucked away until the week before the big day. I read somewhere that once Halloween has finished it's full on Christmas, that is the case here, I want to not have to go out when everywhere will be so crowded. We are popping into town later this week for just a couple of things, it's great to be ahead of the rush. 

TV ad breaks have started to show Christmas adverts, just incase you forget that unmissable item every home should have, I sit and shake my head, but I'm so glad we have stepped away from it all. 

I am not making as much craft as I usually do, no-one needs home knitted socks this season, but I do have a pair I am knitting myself. I am almost finished the french knots in the 'S' shape, once done I will make a cushion for my friend, I have all I need. Luna Lapin is taking shape, this is for baby Molly, I am thinking of making Luna a brother called Alba (meaning daybreak, sun) might be fun to have a pair. I am glad I finished the grandchildren's stockings last month, seen here.  

After the heavy rain and windy days over the weekend , its a much drier forecast this week, I hope to get outside and tidy the back garden, mainly picking up leaves from neighbours trees, our Magnolia still has all its green leaves. 


18 comments:

  1. Good morning - I have been thinking about Christmas and will make my list of gifts I’m giving later - I have ordered my treat to myself which is a calendar for next year by a local artist. I’ve loved looking at the pictures everyday this year.
    I spied the advent calendars in Sainsrobbers and will pick some up next week. Last year Miss 27 complained bitterly that I’d not got her one but I got one for her brother!! I pointed out he lives at home and she doesn’t! Anyway I’ve treated her to one of the little M&S light up biscuit tins with shortbread in so that’s her advent calendar this year!!
    It’s a good job people don’t want hand knitted socks from me this year as it takes me approx 5 years to make a pair! Ha!

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    1. We don't give many gifts, our grandchildren are at the expensive age, and we never know what to get them, so we give cash. I do enjoy putting together gifts.

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  2. Having to face up to the festive season at work - so much prep involved but in complete denial otherwise (as I am every year - too soon too soon!)

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    1. I've only been this organised in the past 2 years, not wanting to mingle in crowed shops, fuels my early energy.

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  3. Your cakes look great. I think you are wise to get everything organized early for Christmas so you can avoid the crowds. I can see chaos happening here as we are only now shifting back to having a few shops open, and keep getting told that there is a lot of shortage of items. We are not big Christmas keepers so it shouldn't affect us too much.

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    1. I see loads of comments about shortages, but so far very few spaces in shops.

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  4. Many years ago I worked in a Thorntons shop, you can imagine how hard it was not to indulge. Sadly they have changed over the years and I don't think the chocolates are the same, still nice though.
    Briony
    x

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    1. I don't eat Thorntons, I'm a simple Galaxy girl.

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  5. You're well ahead of the game. I've only just started thinking about Christmas really, I do pick up little bits throughout the year but no main gifts have been bought yet, nor food. The Christmas cakes look delicious, I've only recently started eating it, along with mince pies, but it's something I'm looking forward to indulging in over the festive period now.

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    1. I've used the same cake recipe for over 20 years, we love it.

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  6. Those cakes look so tempting - I have the ingredients for mine but at the moment not the time to make it. You sound well organised for Christmas perhaps you should hire yourself out you would be in great demand!

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    1. I try to make mine late October, because blink and suddenly its December and I'm behind.

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  7. Christmas is coming much too quickly for my peace of mind. I have never made a Christmas cake but the more I see of bloggers making theirs I would love to give it a try.

    God bless.

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    1. Just think how fast this year as gone the 2 months will go just as quickly.

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  8. mmmm...making your own Christmas cake.....nothing better to make the home warm'n'cosy'n'smelling lovely ! :)

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    1. I soak the dried fruit in the juice and zest of fresh oranges and lemons, so citrus smells for a day, and then as it bakes the house is full of spices, I love baking time each year, and I get to do both twice.

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  9. I have my gift list started and have put together a card list. Must find time to make a fruit cake as well :)

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  10. You are doing well with your Christmas preparations.
    Your cactus does look very nice.

    Happy November Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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