Thrifty Gifty Santas Challenge 2014

Katiehound

Oh dear, shook the bottles and liquid has settled lower than the filled line- looks odd! can't top up as I filled them when bottles boiling hot and that would break the seal. Added to that when kept in the fridge the liquid is very viscous (would make a very good boozy but expensive sauce for icecream!!!). I shall put instructions like shake vigoursly and serve at room temperature!Erm, a huge lot of tweaking required........
Thankfully the limoncello is foolproof and very easy- as long as you don't grate your knuckles!!!

Katiehound

Well, the verdict on the Gingerbread cream liqueur is in- and it does not get many stars!!-too thick, too sweet, too chocolatey and a lot of clat to make it. So be warned. Would I make it again? maybe.....Perhaps!!
The whipped cream had turned to butter :eek: Does not make for a good drink!!
Making it again I: wouldn't whip cream, have less choc spread and a lot less icing sugar and go from there. Toffee vodka is a lot less bother!

The limoncello, by contrast turned out perfectly awarded ***** for look , taste and ease of making!

Saw online that the 3rd, and last, HGV left Worthing for the Ukraine on Friday. I think that must be around 40,000 shoe boxes that they will have taken in all.

And now,I am packing to go away tomorrow and the hounds are going into kennels (sadly they are not invited:- with 2 cats , 6 adults & 3 sproglets they would most certainly not be welcome, a crowded house too)

all it leaves for me to say is:
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, enjoy the festive food and companionship and have loads of fun!

Anglea

Katiehound, I've been reading your updates on the drink with curiousity, sorry it didn't go to plan but at least for next time you know what to do different.

Hope you enjoy your time away.

mum2one

katiehound - Hope you have a great Xmas, and a safe journey xx

Think I may give the gingerbread drink a wide birth..... thou gingerbread butter does sound interesting..... xx

mum2one

As the big is nearly upon us, hopefully we have got everything all sorted, or nearly there, but here is Santas Challenge Decembera 2 in 1, first to bring a close to all the planning for 2014 and some early planning for 2015....


Emergency - Ive run out of milk....
Check on which ever day your doing any shopping whether you need basics such as milk, thou to be honest there is usually corner shops that are open Christmas Day, whether its a couple of hours in a morning or all day, it may be worth looking at the opening/closing time - in case you need them,

The great meal...
Whether your having Turkey or another choice, make sure you have cecked the defrosting time, and the cooking time, so its not a mad panic on christmas Eve


Spare Present
If you have needed te spare present, that was good planning, if you haven't then there is an extra treat for yourself...



The other main event - The Present Opening...
A task of multi events, whether its for litte ones to recap who got them what, see who gave you what incase you need to regift, so the same person doesn't it back and last but least, keep all the rubbish together,

Present Opening Kit....
Pen
paper / notepad
scissors
bin bag
glass of wine (for emergencies)...


Recycling
Some councils do recycle paper, cards, even trees, - worth checking out.

On the note of recycling - yes we need the rubbish out of the way, but if your having a new games consule, the fab 52in tv etc.... (the winning lottery numbers), but by putting the cardboard by the door etc, its advertising I have new items.... if you can find room to store that indoors till either trip to tip or refuge collection.

Packing Tree and decs away
When repacking make sure any batteries are taken out, any broken items disposed off, and labelled ready for 2015

Present Planning for 2015
We all work different ways, but when you get chance set up either a spreadsheet, (or what I do is print off this yrs list, and use it as a base), or a notebook, so if you do get any re-gifts then your list is up and running.

Christmas Sales
as the old saying goes "its only a bargain only if we need it"


Online sales generally start on Christmas day, shops on Boxing Day, from what a friend told me Marks and Spencers aren't open Boxing Day...

Whether it is a small purchase such as wrapping paper, cards or half price presents, it all helps in the grand schemes of things...

Mother Hen moment
just a quick check before Xmas

Cash machine / chip and pin - cover your pin, check who is looking over your shoulder, and stay safe

Services - if your on meter / top up key - make sure this is charged and your not going to run out.

Petrol - some garages are open Boxing day - but it may be hetic trying to get out of the supermarket ones

Phone a friend
I know were all busy this time of the year, but take time to touch base even if its a quick hi are you ok, call or a text, were have to catch up in the new year, sure someone will appriciate that your thinking of them.

Miss Hoodies corner
It wouldnt be a challenge without a Miss Hoodie cleaning challenge, - but as the great lady herself said, there be a lot of post xmas cleaning, that will keep us all busy enough

ME,ME, ME
this may sound mad, but were not superwoman, yes we can multi-task, but were human at the end of the day, so try to take some time out for yourself, whether its a brisk walk, a catch up with friends or even a lock myself in the bathroom and have the biggest bubble bath since you were a kid, a chill is needed to recharge the batteries.


To wish everyone a Merry christmas and a Happy New Year xxxxx

The 2015 thread, I'll start that the 2nd week of jn xxxx

Anglea

Hi all

Thanks very much mum2one for the latest Challenge.

Today I was making a list of serving dishes and a list of food for Thursday and various cooking times,.

I've got to collect something at the sorting office when I wasn't dressed to open the door to the postman yesterday.

When I return I want to make a few more lists.
DS1 was supposed to arrive yesterday but Sunday I discovered he'd gone on another trip after returning from NASA. Yesterday didn't return my text about today so imagine it will be tomorrow when he comes home.

Yes Miss Hoodie there will be a post Christmas tidy up - in my case the unwelcome surprises from finding all the clutter I hid out of sight.

How are you all doing?

mum2one

Have to confess to hiding some clutter, - the dining room as become an extension of every rm in the house, so filled 3 bags up and "placed" them in the shed for now....

Guess that be another job added to the 2015 list...

Off to the cinema Xmas eve with Miss Hoodie - first to see Get Santa, then later on to see Paddington, been and got fruit and veg today, supported a local market, and then sending grandad hoodie to asda for the milk etc,

Shouldn't laugh,,,, but....
Miss Hoodie got dad a tshirt printed - she wanted

"you can't argue with me I have a grandaughter" - she got

"you carn't argue with me I have a grandaughter".... xxx

Anglea

Hi everyone

mum2one, that's a good logo for Grandad Hoodie.

I've been wondering about Susan's house move and if the Christmas village has been relocated or not. And how many cards she eventually managed to make.

And how Rufus is doing, and Sugar Spun, haven't heard from them in a while.

DS2 is here now, arrived with a sackful of presents, some for the family, some for himself from the care home. Since his last visit he's had Christmas parties on virtually a daily basis, discos for College and other activities he does and a trip to Cadbury World, it's his favourite place to go and is a regular visitor.

DS1 finally got in contact after going awol, seems he's been depressed lately and is arriving later, I told him to go straight to mum's as we're celebrating our Polish Christmas.

The only main thing I've got left to do for tomorrow is a cooking timeline, I'll have to discuss meal times with mum as she and dad are coming tomorrow. And she's bringing another dessert to supplement the Christmas pudding I have.

Had a drama today as I couldn't open the freezer drawer to remove something for lunch and I've got Christmas Dinner items in there too, lost a knife inside the drawer trying to push things down.........eventually got it open.

How are you all?

bunbun2

Although I haven't posted very often I do read regularly. I would like to say a huge thank you to mum2one for this fab thread, all the santa challenges and keeping us all organised:T

Happy Christmas everyone:j

springdreams

Merry Christmas