Old style Preparations for Christmas 2011!!

jaxx46

Jd1983 wrote: »

rosemary oil is always a winner for me - especially good with chicken

Please could you tell me how much rosemary you use to make this?
TIA

jaxx

elgar_2

Hello!

ooo Christmas!! I am quite excited about it this year as its our first as a married couple and first together. Last year we each went to our parents (well they live 350 miles apart!!) as we knew this year (and many others) we could be together. I think we plan to have Christmas on our own as its then not showing favour to either family. It will be strange for both of us as we have both always been with our own folks at Christmas.

It also means Ive never done a Christmas dinner etc so should be exciting. No idea what to do for just us 2! we need to think of our own christmas traditions!!

I have got quite a few gifts for DH family as we go to visit in November and it will be our only time before Christmas. So hopefully the weather behaves!!

Ive not yet seen any gift wrap in shops for the gifts as need them all prepared ready to go!!

Any ideas gladly considered!

polkadot

Elgar has a nice one we started on our first Christmas together...it started with the day the tree went up.We each went out and bought a tree decoration for each other...it represented the others year in our eyes.My DH bought me a little gingerbread house because we had finally set up home and he said that was how sweet his home was no that I was in it.

We do it every year now (have 2 and a half children) so now names go in hats and we all get a turn.Each year new deccies are added to the tree that have a real sentiment to them:)

toochoosey

Hello all....I would love to join in here, I am useless when it comes to Christmas shopping and always end up rushing out and spending far mor than I should

DD's birthday is a week after Christmas and I tend to think she doesn't have enough for Christmas and end up taking stuff from the Birthday pile and then going and buying more afte Christmas!!!!

Will have a better look at the thread afer work, but gotta fly now.......xx

TrixieB

karen_is_trying wrote: »

Just a quicky of the grabbit board argos are starting their 3 for 2 toys tomorrow, maybe a little early but if spreading out costs its a fab offer x

And 3% cashback if you go through quidco!

Does anyone have any links for *very* easy to make xmas stockings please? and not just a sock lol which my boyf suggested!

Jd1983

jaxx46 wrote: »

Please could you tell me how much rosemary you use to make this?
TIA

jaxx

For a 750ml bottle (normal wine bottle size) I use 3 full rosemary sprigs from the garden - about 7 to 8 inches long.

You need to scrunch them up to start releasing the flavour and put he whole lot in the bottle to let the flavours mingle.

This, for me, gives just the right amount of rosemaryness but you can tween to your own tastes.

mummybearx

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barley_wine

Hth x

Skint_Catt

Making my Xmas cake tomorrow and have two questions - the easiest way to 'zest' the lemon & orange & what to do with the lemon afterwards so it doesn't go to waste?

Thanks

C xx

MaggieBaking

I have a purpose zester that does long strips. You can buy zester graters.

Or you can use the thinnest side of a grater if you have a multi-sided one. I've found these are a bit shoddy so I'd probably recommend grating more than you needed to to make up for it.

And watch your knuckles!!

As for the rest of the lemons and oranges I'd eat the orange and slice up the lemon and lay the slices out on a clingfilmed plate in the freezer. Once frozen you can bag them up and they're great "ice cubes" for your G&T! (or water lol)

Skint_Catt

Thanks - I already have 'lemon' ice cubes in the freezer as OH is a Bombay Sapphire fan but wasn't sure if it'd work without the rind on! I'm sure I've got a fine cheese grater somewhere or if I go into town tomorrow I'll look for a 'zester' - thanks.
C xx