*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

Flowfy

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

well ive pretty much neglected everything else this week but im where i wanted to be on the christmas stocking



plan is to get the yellow brick road in place over next week.

if you click on the picture you will see it clearer and see how its built up

that looks gorgeous. it looks very intricate. I wish I could do it

mrs-moneypenny

Flowfy wrote: »

that looks gorgeous. it looks very intricate. I wish I could do it

its all smoke and mirrors really the beads and sequins make it look more than it is;)

BloomingTasty

freespirit66 wrote: »

I have finally done something blooming productive, i have baked my Nigella Christmas Morning Muffins and Christmas Biscotti, just cooling before they go in the freezer, so thats two of my tasks this week done

Ooh could you post or msg me the recipe for the xmas morn muffins sound delicious and never thought of freezing them. Mite have to make some to taste first :snow_laug

Own_My_Own

freespirit66 wrote: »

OMO are we going to get pics of your stag cushions???

The cushions don't actually go on the sofa, they are on the chairs, but I put them there to save me taking 2 pictures.



As you know I am doing my tree. This book I am reading is about a street around the corner from where my family lived from the 1850's until around WW1. At the back of the book is a photo of our street. Underneath it it says- Brand St was typical of slums cleared and demolished between the wars.
I have just looked up the street on the 1898-99 poor map and it is Black.
Black- Lowest class, Vicious, Semi-Criminal.

Well it's nice to know I come from good stock.

mrs-moneypenny

cushions look lovely Omo, i find family history really interesting i havent done any of my tree for a while as it kind of takes over and steals time

blooming tasty those christmas morn muffins sound scrummy

Flowfy

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/CHRISTMAS-MORNING-MUFFINS-5239

don't blame me, when you are all joining weightwatchers!!

mrs-moneypenny

thank you Flowfy, ill give them a try over the weekend

freespirit66

OMO the stag cushions look gorgeous, laughing at your family tree news, both of my sides were poor as :rotfl:

craftymummy wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking about making biscotti as presents and would like to crack on with it. Sorry for the silly questions but do you freeze them baked and if you do, when you defrost it, how long does it last? Sorry but I've not made cookies/cakes to freeze and use them afterwards. Bit worried they'd get soggy. But I suppose if you don't bake them before than there's no problem. Thanks.

These are a Good Food recipe you make them bake them the first time then cool cut up in diagonal pieces then open freeze, then box up, then when you are ready to eat you bake them the second time, i have tried the pieces that had to be cut off and it is lovely

Flowfy wrote: »

hehe. I do those Christmas morning muffins too - my ds's favourite. he loves them like nigella suggests, opened up with a knob of butter inside. they do freeze well too.

Oooh they are lovely arent they these are one of our xmas must haves, dead easy to make, freeze well, and lovely for breakfast.

BloomingTasty wrote: »

Ooh could you post or msg me the recipe for the xmas morn muffins sound delicious and never thought of freezing them. Mite have to make some to taste first :snow_laug

250g PLAIN FLOUR
2 1/2 tsp BAKING POWDER
1/2 tsp BICARBONATE OF SODA
100G CASTER SUGAR
1 tsp GROUND CINNAMON
1/4 tsp GROUND NUTMEG
2 CLEMENTINES/SATSUMAS
125ML FULL FAT MILK
75ML VEGETABLE OIL
1 EGG
175G DRIED CRANBERRIES

FOR THE TOPPING
3 tsp DEMERARA SUGAR OVEN 200 oC GAS MARK 6

MEASURE THE DRY INGREDIENTS AND MIX TOGETHER, ADD THE ZEST OF THE CLEMENTINES/SATSUMAS

SQUEEZE THE JUICE OF THE CLEMENTINES/SATSUMAS INTO A MEASURING JUG THEN ADD THE MILK UP TO 200ML, ADD THE OIL AND EGG AND LIGHTLY BEAT UNTIL COMBINED

POUR LIQUID MIXTURE INTO DRY MIXTURE MIX LIGHTLY UNTIL COMBINED, FOLD IN THE CRANBERRIES, SPOON INTO MUFFIN CASES AND SPRINKLE DEMERARA SUGAR ON TOP, BAKE FOR 20 MINS

Ruth_honey

freespirit66 wrote: »

I have finally done something blooming productive, i have baked my Nigella Christmas Morning Muffins and Christmas Biscotti, just cooling before they go in the freezer, so thats two of my tasks this week done

BOREDJELLYBEAN hello and welcome to our thread

MARCO1DOG Hope you are feeling better now

OMO are we going to get pics of your stag cushions???

Yum! Might give these a try too.

Flowfy wrote: »

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/CHRISTMAS-MORNING-MUFFINS-5239

don't blame me, when you are all joining weightwatchers!!

I googled the recipe as soon as I saw freespirits post, so I was going to post a link too. They sound so good.

msgigglewick

Not read back todays yet, shall do that after my evening hike... but i did some more xmas shopping today (yep this no spending thing is working lol) with the vouchers/gift cards and code's i'd collected together oh and some of the knitting money i've made i managed to get disney infinity game and 4 extra characters for £10 today (don't count paypal money as actual money lol) then i was looking through my emails and noticed another £10 gift card so i pre ordered jack skellington to go with the game too. so starter set, and 5 extra characters for £11.99 . also got dh a coffee hamper thing and a charm pandora bracelet for dd2's bday (which is boxing day) .........see told you i was doing crap LOl

i've sorted through the pressie cupboard and wrote a list. need to sort through whats in my bedroom next and make sure all the girls have around the same kind of things each.