New Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2010- Santas Challenges

mary-op

Hi killielila:j
I start Christmas around January too and half the folk I know think I must be bonkers but I enjoy trying to ''create/concoct'' bits and pieces and it does save the last minute panic.
Mind you I still keep thinking of extra bits and pieces..................lol

toffeeapple

lmb4wcb wrote: »

Thanks I do lurk a lot but I have been following the challenges and have done most of them so far lol I do love christmas as I start getting organised in January (as most of us MSE'rs do) but it drives everyone around me nuts but I know I can sit back and enjoy the run up to christmas while they run around like headless chickens lol

My friends all honestly think I am mad. There is nobody I know who starts early with Christmas organisation except my Mum and I.

I get teased about being Mrs Christmas. But hey, its me thats laughing when I can party harder in December when I am all organised!!! :A

searching_me

sorry for jumping in but anyone making pot of gold might be interesting in this ...
http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=320624 x

fedupandskint

supa-girl wrote: »

FEDUPANDSKINT - could I trouble you for the recipe for chilli jam? Sounds yummy!

Of course you can! I was about to pop it on here with the recipe for Christmas Granola

Here we go for the chilli jam - mine is cooling ready to be potted up on about 15mins mine cost approx 90p per jar but hey who cares what it costs with 4 ingredients instead of a list on the shop bought stuff!

http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?key=C&rid=20158

Cranberry, Almond and Honey Granola - credits as above

Makes 1.5l for a lg jar or several smaller ones for gifts

225 rolled oats (not instant)
60g sunflower seeds
60g white sesame seeds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
150g (125ml) runny honey
50g soft light brown sugar
60g whole natural almonds
60g whole blanched almonds
1/2 teaspoon maldon sea salt or pinch table salt
1 tablespoon rapeseed or sunflower oil
150g dried cranberries

Put everything except the dried cranberries into a large bowl and mix well

Spread this mixture on a lined baking sheet and bake at 170c or gas 3, turning over the mixture with a spatula about halfway through the cooking time

If you have a fan oven keep an eye on it as may be ready sooner or need a lower heat

Anytime between 40-50mins should be ready - golden enough and dried out like a breakfast cereal

Remove from oven and let cool taking it off the baking sheet

Mix in the dried cranberries

Store in an airtight container

elysia2003

Wow - thanks for these Fedup! I'm definately trying the chilli jam, I need jam jars though. Ours have homemade blackberry jam in!

susan42

Hi killielila- wb, i know house moving can be stressful, moved here last year

supa - girl- wow slow down you`ll put us all to shame, sometimes you need a good clear out i think

lmb4wcb & juliejim - welcome and lurk away, you contribute when you want and we`ll all be here lurking as well xx

searching me, them pots look lovely, bit small for me so if anyone sees any any bigger, can you point them out please, i have covered some pots in gold as mary suggested but need a few more

I been organising the craft room , so am hoping to get right in there and make some cards without moving everything else. Craft room now officially turned over to christmas,,,, so if anyone lives near me, call in and craft. I`m house bound for a bit due to medication....

NickyBo_2

Thanks for the chilli jam recipe, I've saved that to my favourites and I'll definitely give it a try - looks tasty!

fedupandskint

NickyBo wrote: »

Thanks for the chilli jam recipe, I've saved that to my favourites and I'll definitely give it a try - looks tasty!

Hi nicky - I was doubtful about it when I made it last year as it was mega runny don't panic as it sets when it cools as it is lovely.

I like to mix it in with stir fries towards the end of cooking along with some indonesian soy sauce

just like this

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12257/nasi-goreng

I'm just back from picking some blackberries from the end of the road and have 300g for free in an industrial area.

just deciding what to use them for and have decided on blackberry and apple leather which last for 5mths and I'm having these!

Also making some beetroot relish and picalilli for me and for gifts if I get chance over the next 2 days

Decided to cheer myself up with some preserving instead of feeling down in the dumps over the ex

SugarSpun

I am delighted to report that the challenge is complete at SugarSpun Towers!

Lists are made, tape is purchased, gifts are wrapped, batteries recycled/charged/put in a box near the charger, stuff for donating collected together, wardrobes tidied ... and my Toblerone is eaten

I'd planned to make chutney today but am a bit sick after my epic walk in the rainstorm (in only a light top and jeans the other day, I arrived at my destination as wet as if I'd hopped into a cold shower fully clothed) so am going to see how it goes. I'm soaking the labels off the baby food jars I plan to put it in in any case. I also bought a giant sack of sour cherries (€1 :money:) to make jam with, they're in the freezer till I have enough jars.

May I make a suggestion for the next challenge - to make up a couple of charity shoeboxes? It'll be getting towards collection time by the end of the next challenge and it'll be a good reminder.

Thanks also to whoever said about the gadgetshop, I picked up loads of emergency gifts and stuff for next year's birthdays.

dramarama

Afternoon!
Not sure if anyone is interested but Mr T's had some really nice mugs in homeware section the other day fro 50p...I bought 2 in the hope of adding them to an xmas hamper! x