Lets get started for Christmas 2011

jaycat

wammy77,

Damson gin - 1 lb damsons, 6oz white sugar, 75cl gin & a scant teaspoon of almond essence.

Wash damsons & stab well with a fork.
Put into a sterilised wide necked jar or litre bottle - kilner type jars (or empty douie egbert coffee jars for 1/2 quantities) work well.
Pour in sugar, essence & gin.

Shake well every day until the sugar has dissolved then store in a cool, dark place for at least 3 months, or preferably a year. Don't leave it longer than a year or it will spoil.
Strain through muslin & decant into sterilised bottles, dark coloured ones if possible so it keeps it's colour. Leave in a cool, dark place again till needed.

This year's damson gin was made in 2008, decanted in 2009 & left in the attic till giving out at Christmas. The chutney was made in 2009 - the longer it's left, the better it tastes.

I don't have a proper recipe for the chutney as I tend to adapt to whatever fruits I have a glut of at the time but it's sort of based (loosely!) on a basic damson / plum chutney. Watch out for the stones though - they're evil!

Enjoy

7roland8

A question for all the forum ~ Am I mean????
ive checked who I recieved cards from this year (including family) and Ive decided not to send cards to them for 2011, this is with the exception of ones who emailed me and said they werent posting cards but donating to a charity ~ So am I being mean and cold hearted or just practical as Im being to have the attitude with them if they can't be bothered why should I???

CARDS - I take it to mean you're going to cut out those who didn't send you a card this year? Think that is what a lot of people do - though perhaps I tend to be a bit fogiving in case the card was lost in the post or the person may have been ill etc. Do tend to cut a few out each year but there are always new ones to add and I send knocking on for 100 cards - but lots hand delivered.

When it comes to balancing the cost of a stamp or cutting someone out who I've been friends with i usually just send a card and note/message anyway.

I know its costly but Christmas wouldnt be Christmas without the cards around -and I love reading through them all after Christmas wehn they come down.

Re - Christmas 2011 and 2011 Birthdays - have apresent drawer and master list and apart form my sons would say I have pretty much all the gifts I need for Birthdays and Xmas - sayves a lot on the cost next Dec and I've only spend minimal amounts.

frugalbrunette

Chuffed as last night I bought 3 x 10m rolls of wrapping paper for 13p each and 5 rolls of red gift ribbon for 13p too.

Told my sister to choose some thick chunky wool as it will be her crocheted beret, scarf and gloves for next Christmas (actually, she seemed quite happy with that.. and the homemade hamper went down well too but she' asked for baileys fudge. How am I going to make baileys fudge!

sarah*a

frugalbrunette wrote: »

....... How am I going to make baileys fudge!

http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/baileys-chocolate-fudge-ru291868.html

http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=1458

http://www.mydish.co.uk/recipe/7016/baileys-fudge

:D:D

Wendy5704

Just managed to get tickets for Rhianna for November as a Christmas present for each of my nieces. They are so excited and the best bit is I get to go with them as I dont mind her music. It is much better than when I got my niece JLS tickets and my sister refused to take her so I had to sit through it. Wasnt a bad concert but the young girls screaming was awfull.

frugalbrunette

sarah*a wrote: »

http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/baileys-chocolate-fudge-ru291868.html

http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=1458

http://www.mydish.co.uk/recipe/7016/baileys-fudge

:D:D

oooooh now thanks for that :j

nevile

Really wanna do some special features this year 2011! keeping in mind [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]workmanship and reliability.[/FONT]

tashee26

oooh love the idea of baileys fudge - never made any fudge before so how would you package this to give it as a present?? doesn't it all just stick together if you just put it in a box???

LJM

ohh yum i love baileys, baileys fudge sounds scrummy

wendywitch

I made Baileys fudge and several different types of truffle for my daughter's grandparents "Baileys Hamper", my mum and for the lovely lady I work with and her husband. Everyone raved about them so I shall definitely be making more.
I was worried about the fudge sticking together so ended up putting the bits in paper cases but the left over fudge stored fine in a cellophane cone in the fridge.