Thoughts to end a year on . . .

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“It’s a valuable exercise to close your eyes every once in a while and think, “What is the most wonderful moment I have lived through during the past year?”

It might be part of a grand event or a very simple moment, perhaps a brief interaction with another person. The grand or the simple, it doesn’t matter. Just remembering will lift your spirits, and warm feelings will fill your soul.” ~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Just a simple thing to do, and no more fitting time to do it than at the end of a year, with the promise of the new year to come sitting before us, full of wonderful experiences waiting to be held.

I have wracked my brains this morning to come up with one wonderful moment during the past year that stood out above the rest. I've had such a wonderful year, filled to overflowing with lots of blessings . . .

I was deeply saddened earlier this year when we lost our Angie, of course . . . that broke my heart . . . and then when Lura was in a near fatal car accident my heart was taken to the brink, yet again. Thankfully she was saved and, although it has been an excruciatingly painful year for her, she is well on the mend now and lives to bring us yet more joy, which is a great blessing to me. I don't think my heart could have borne the loss of another dear friend . . .

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I suppose it has been a year of small and simple blessings and moments to treasure. Moments spent in the garden with Todd, growing our own veg and fruit. Managing to raise tadpoles into 4 full grown frogs! Our fish having babies. Moments spent playing with Mitzie and enjoying all of her puppyish enthusiasm and vigor. Times spent with good friends . . . those are always sweet. Seeing my stamp designs as actual rubber stamps! Being called onto the Relief Society Presidency . . . a calling that I absolutely love. The birth of my first Granddaughter. Teaching moments with the Missionaries . . . feeding the missionaries! Real time Video visits with my grandsons. My visit to Jimmy's Farm on a sleepover in July with Julie, and being able to spend some quality time with her, and us being able to meet Jimmy and tour his farm together. Getting to go to a fun Craft Workship with Sheilagh and Trish in August, and meeting some lovely talented ladies. Visiting Cumbria in September with Todd, Mitzie and Hurricane Katrina. Celebrating eleven years of wedded bliss together at the Temple in November. Finding out that I did not have cancer! That was a biggie. My dad surviving and having his pacemaker fitted and finding out he didn't have cancer as well, another huge blessing . . . and interspersed between all of these big moments that stand out was hundreds of smaller moments which were equally as special and as blessed.

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There is nothing there that is spectacular . . . we didn't win the lottery or anything . . . or did we??? Our year was filled with an abundance of every day joy, the sweet lightly mixed with the bittersweet, with a bit of fear and anxiety thrown in for good measure. The truth is that every day joys are the best joys of all and the things which bring us the happiness and peace that lasts forever. They are the most valuable of all. True joy comes from finding happiness and contentment in simple things, every day things . . . the stuff that lives are built from.

"Contentment is a pearl of great value, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and happy purchase."
~Balguy

I do believe that yesterday I painted the best picture that I have ever painted.



What do you think??? I love the expression on her wee face . . .



Sometimes I surprise even myself. Of course this is available as a card or a print. I think I will frame a print of this myself for in our living room. I am so grateful for the ability to create these little paintings and drawings . . . and I am so grateful for the joy which I feel in having the time and being able to do so. Had I still been working fulltime, I'd never have been able to explore my talents thusly so . . . another silver lining to that cloud. ☺

My mom always cooked us a ham at the New Year. It is hard to break with a tradition that goes back to your childhood, I find. We will have ham too! A butcher over here explained to me that a ham is only a ham once it's been cooked. Before that it's gammon. It doesn't really matter what you call it I think . . . just so long as it takes good and this tastes like a mightly delicious ham to me! No after cooking picture I'm afraid . . . the lighting was just too poor. You'll have to take my word for it when I tell you it was absolutely fabulous darlings!



*Festive Spiced Ham*
Serves 8 to 12 with leftovers
Printable Recipe

This is the perfect ham for your celebratory dinners. It smells incredible when it’s cooking. Once finished, it’s mouth wateringly delicious with it’s spicy crumbed coating being the perfect finishing touch!

6 to 8 pound smoked or unsmoked boned gammon
1 onion and 1 orange, halved and studded with 12 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
4 bay leaves
6 juniper berries, bruised coarsely
500ml can of sweet cider (2 cups) (I used apple juice quite successfully)
2 oranges quartered

GLAZE:
6 TBS clear runny honey
Zest of 1 orange and 2 TBS fresh orange juice

TOPPING:
2 ounces fresh white bread crumbs
A large knob of softened butter
A handful of parsley leaves, chopped finely

Put the gammon into a large pan along with the orange and onion halves, the cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, juniper berries and the apple cider. Add water to cover and then bring slowly to the boil. Cover loosely and reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes per pound, plus 20 minutes. Keep it topped up with water so that it remains covered at all times.

Pre-heat the oven to 220*C/450*F. Remove the gammon from the cooking water and let cool slightly. (Reserve 4 TBS of the cooking liquid) Taking a sharp knife cut away all the skin, leaving a layer of fat. Put it into a large roasting pan along with the quartered oranges, arranging them around the ham. Drizzle the reserved cooking liquid around. Mix together the honey, orange zest and orange juice. Brush some over the ham and the oranges. Bake for 15 minutes. Brush with some more glaze. Bake for 15 minutes longer, basting two or three times until golden and starting to char in places. Remove from the oven and let sit while you make the topping.

Spread the bread crumbs on a baking sheet and put into the hot oven for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often until golden brown. Remove from the oven and mix together with the softened butter and the parsley. Brush the ham once more with the glaze and then sprinkle the warm crumbs over all, pressing them slightly so as to make them adhere. Serve garnished with the glazed orange wedges.



Over in The English Kitchen today there is a delicious Cranberry Swirl Breakfast Cake baking!

“You can't go through life on "Borrowed light.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Boxing Day Lore . . .

Source: myvintagemending.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Happy Boxing Day everyone! Boxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Canada as well as tbroughout the Commonwealth, but I am not sure it is a day that is celebrated in the United States. Nowadays it is a day that generates a great deal of retail shopping, ie. The Boxing Day Sales, but it has a long history that goes back quite a ways.

Generally speaking Boxing day is the day that follows Christmas, or the 26th of December, and it is always a public holiday, or “Bank Holiday” as we call them over here, although a lot of those working in the retail trade will most certainly have to work today. Traditionally it was the day to open the Christmas Box to share with the poor. This was usually a wooden or clay container that contained money and gifts which had been gathered up and saved for those unfortunate souls.

During the Age of Exploration when great sailing ships were setting off to explore new lands, “A Christmas Box” was used as a good luck device. It consisted of a small box that was placed on each ship while it was still in port, prior to sailing. It was placed there by a priest and any sailors that wanted to ensure the safely of their journey and return home would place coins in it. It would then be sealed off by the Priest and kept on board during the whole voyage.

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If the ship returned home safely the box would be handed back to the Priest, it’s contents intact, and a mass would be said to give thanks for the safety of the voyage. The Priest would then save the box and hand it’s contents out to the poor on the day after Christmas, which then became known as Boxing Day.

Many poorly paid workers were also required to work on Christmas Day, most notably those in Domestic employ. They were then given the day after Christmas Day off to go and visit their families. As they prepared to leave their employers gave them Christmas Boxes, which were always well looked forward to and most welcome to both their employees and their families.

During the 18th century , the Lords and Ladies of the Manor, would box up their leftover food, and sometimes gifts and distribute them to the tenants who lived and worked on their lands. This is a custom that continues still today only now more often than not it is customary for householders to gift small gifts or monetary sumsto the trades people that service them throughout the year, such as paper boys, milk men and dust bin collectors, and also in some work places for employers to give their employees Christmas Bonus’s.

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Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen’s Day. (the day when Good King Wenceslas looked out!) St Stephen was one of Christ’s disciples and was the first man killed for believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As he was being stoned to death he looked up into the Heavens and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. You can read all about him in Acts 6:1 to Acts 8: 2.

Some people claim he shares this day with another St Stephen who hails from Sweden, St Stephen the patron saint of horses. It makes sense in a way as boxing day is also a day commonly associated with outdoor sports, in particular horse riding and hunting.

Traditionally Boxing Day has been the day for Fox Hunting in particular. Horse riders dressed in red and white, accompanied with packs of hounds, chase foxes through the countryside in hopes of tiring it out enough so that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it.

Thankfully the practice of hunting with dogs was banned in 2004 and has been a criminal offence since 2005, although it is still legal to exercise dogs, chase out a scent and flush out foxes to be shot.

Source: flickr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Boxing day is the day that families traditionally get together and watch sports or play board games, go for long walks in the countryside and enjoy a feast of all the Christmas leftovers. That is if they are not waiting in long queues for the shop doors to open their way into the sales racks!

We will not be doing any of that on this day! We are blessed to be able to have all FOUR missionaries over to our home for supper tonight, so I am really excited about that! We often have two over for supper, but this will be a first to be able to have all four at once! I have a big ham I am cooking with all the trimmings and plans to cook a chocolate cake! (Todd will quite happily have leftover Christmas pud instead!)

I hope that you are all continuing to enjoy your Christmas Celebrations, and that you are, each of you, surrounded with love!

Here's a tasty gratin that I will be baking later today to go along with our ham. It uses a delicious combination of root vegetables. I just know the lads will love it!



*Root Vegetable Gratin with Blue Cheese*
Serves 10
Printable Recipe

This recipe makes a large portion, but can very easily cut down to serve fewer. It’s also a great make ahead, as you can prepare it a day ahead and then just reheat it, covered when you are ready to serve it. You get a delicious sweetness from the various root vegetables in a deliciously savoury sauce. It’s a great way of making some pretty humble vegetables into something that is quite special and most delicious!

1 ½ pounds of parsnips
1 ½ pounds carrots
1 ½ pounds of rutabagas (Swedes)
2 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tsp minced fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or other blue cheese (about 3 ounces)

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Lightly butter a deep 9 X 13 inch baking dish and set aside.

Peel the parsnips and carrots and slice them into ¼ inch thick slices. Peel the swede and cut it in half, then cut each half into ¼ inch thick half rounds.

Mix the cream, stock , garlic and thyme together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then add the swede. Place a cover on top and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the carrots and parsnips, cover again and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Transfer the vegetables and the cream mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until thick and bubbly, and the vegetables are quite tender, about 35 minutes. Crumble the blue cheese evenly over top and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen today we are doing leftovers!

A most unusual story of love . . .

Source: threeoclockbears.typepad.com via Marie on Pinterest

Once upon a time, what seems now . . . like long, long ago . . . my sister and I used to make Teddy Bears, and from time to time get together at Craft Sales and sell them at a booth we would share. Happy times . . . Our bears ranged in size from a tiny 3 inch bear right on up to a bear that was large enough to wear size 3 children's clothing, each one being a real labour of love on our parts. The best part though . . . was in the doing of it together.

I recently read about a woman named Frannie Pew Hayes. She had a rather large family, which included an abundance of grandchildren and so one year the family came to the decision that it was just not practical anymore to buy Christmas Gifts for everyone and so they would draw names . . . each person then only having one present to buy and exchange.

Her grandson, David, who was only five at the time drew her name and inquired of her what she would like to receive. She chose elastic bands and paper clips. He didn't like that idea, wanting her to pick out something nicer and so, realizing that it was the Chinese Year of the Bear, she finally requested a Teddy Bear.

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That very first bear she received from her young grandson delighted her so completely that a Teddy Bear Collection soon began and multiplied . . . with Teddy Bears acquired as gifts from family and friends . . . and collected from her own travels.

Soon there were bears of all shapes and sizes and requests from people of all ages to come and see them began to pour in. This the idea for a Teddy Bear Museum was born.

The Teddy Bear Museum in Naples Florida opened in 1990 with a collection that had expanded to around 5,500 individual bears until the museum closed in 2005, a year after the death of Mrs Hayes.

When I read this story my heart was warmed . . . indeed big oaks from tiny acorns do grow! What began as the tiny gift of a M&M's bear from a young grandson to his much beloved grandmother because something that brought joy and pleasure to so many visitors worldwide. It's a shame that it had to close . . .

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I have always loved teddy bears myself. I had a lovely one that I carried with me throughout my life from my infancy . . . but which sadly disappeared during one of my many military moves in my last marriage. I now have three . . . a bear that the young daughter of a friend gave to Todd a few years back, one that I bought for one of my grandchildren, but which ended up too big to post and so I kept it (Winnie the Pooh in a cute sweater) and a lovely little smooshie pink one that my dear friend Lura gave me, each one special and unique in it's own special way. Kinda like us I guess! Unique, special and very much beloved!


These lovely squares have always been our Amanda's favourite treat. She may watch her weight really closely but the girl does have a bit of a sweet tooth. She comes by that honestly as her father has the biggest sweet tooth in the world. It is a Ramsay trait as my ex MIL also has a big sweet tooth. I remember going to a Brunch Buffet with her once and she had no less than 6 desserts. In fact that's all she had . . . dessert!



*Butterscotch Mallow Bars*
Makes about 36
Printable Recipe

These are so easy to do and quick to throw together as well. They are quite sweet, but a real favourite of children. They look really pretty on the Christmas cookie tray though!

1 (12 ounce) package of butterscotch chips (or an equal amount of milk chocolate, good quality, cut into bits. I recommend Green and Blacks)
¼ cup butter
1 cup smooth peanut butter (you can use crunchy if you want little bits of nuts in them. I prefer the smooth myself)
1 package of small multi coloured marshmallows (about 4 cups)
*Note if you are making the milk chocolate ones, white marshmallows are the best to use.

Combine the butter, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips in a saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir until melted and completely amalgamated. Remove from the heat and let cool to warm before stirring in the marshmallows. Pour the mixture into a 9 inch square cake tin that you have lined with cling film. Spread evenly into the pan and press the mixture down. Refrigerate until cold and then cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.



Over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Marzipan and Mincemeat Tea Loaf!

There was a song in a film years ago with the line “Have yourself a merry little Christmas.” Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would. That is the spirit of Christmas and of true happiness every day.
~President Henry B Eyring, The Gifts of Christmas 2011

Saturday Poetry . . . The Three Kings

Source: artusa.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
for their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large, and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

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Three caskets they bore on their saddlebows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of night, over hill and dell,
And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.

Source: marvelsphoto.com via Landscape on Pinterest

"Of the child that is born," said Baltasar,
"Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
We know of no king but Herod the Great!"
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, and who cannot wait.

Source: bing.com via Mary on Pinterest

And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod, the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn,
Yes, it stopped, --stood still of it's own free will,
Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.

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And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
Through the silent street, til their horses turned
And neighed as they entered the great inn yard;
But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
And only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human but divine.

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His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet;
The gold was their tribute to a king,
The frankincense, with it's odor sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body's burying.

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And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone;
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David's throne.

Then the kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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It is good to remember the reason for the season. I had never read this poem by Longfellow before, but I thought it very fitting for this time of year. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I have a very busy day today. This morning we are going to a Wedding, and then tonight we have three Baptisms to attend, which is a first for us. Neither of us have ever seen three people Baptised at one time before, so that's pretty exciting!

I've been baking a few Christmas Goodies. I don't bake for Christmas like I used to do years ago. With just two of us in the house, it just isn't practical, but it is nice to have a few things here just in case people drop in. These are a real favourite of ours and the recipe comes from a very old Robin Hood Christmas pamplet that my mother gave me many moons ago. I think it comes from the 1950's. In any case, they are very, very good!




*Cherry Dream Cookies*
Makes 24 - 30 cookies
Printable Recipe

You might want to double this cookie recipe. These are fabulous! Not only quick and easy but filled with buttery flavour. Like a shortbread, except better!

4 ounces butter (1/2 cup)
6 TBS icing sugar, sifted
½ tsp vanilla essence
¼ tsp salt
1 cup flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
6 TBS finely chopped glace cherries (red, green, gold)

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Cream the butter and icing sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt) and stir in to mix well. I find a fork works well for this. Stir in the chopped cherries. (I chop my cherries up with kitchen scissors)

Roll teaspoons of the dough into balls and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Press down with a floured fork. Bake for 15 minutes or so until golden. Let cool on pan five minutes before removing to wire racks to finish cooling.



Over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Christmas Muffins!

A few crafty ideas for December . . .

Source: bigcitybelle.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

They called it The Cottage of Content.
I knocked to find out what it meant,
For all my life I'd sought to find
The secret of a quiet mind.
"Come in", the owner said, "Come in.
The things you seek are here within.
Love tends the hearth and keeps the blaze
To warm the heart on bitter days.
Hope trims the lamps and makes them bright
To give a good and kindly light.
Faith keeps her watch in every room
To banish doubt and fear and gloom."
I turned away and homeward went
To build MY cottage of content.
~Patience Strong

Well, here we are, it's the first of December! However did that happen? I don't know. It seems to have crept up on us awfully quickly though! I did a bit of Christmas Decorating here yesterday. I will have to take a picture to show you what I have done so far. Then last night Todd and I watched a few of our Christmas dvd's. Charlie Brown's Christmas. It just wouldn't be the Christmas Season in my house without watching Charlie Brown's Christmas at least once during December! And for the main feature we watched the first Home Alone. I don't know how many times I have watched that movie, about a bazillion I think . . . but I always laugh my head off when I am watching it. I've seen it all before . . . yes, a bazillion times . . . and I know what's coming, but still I laugh . . . ceptin' now I actually start to laugh before it happens! So much fun!

I thought it would be fun this morning to share a few cheap and cheerful craft ideas for Christmas that I have found on the www. I am always looking for something crafty to do that doesn't cost a bomb and makes good use of some of the things I collect like old jars, toilet roll holders and used disposable pie tins . . . just so I can prove that they will come in real handy one day like . . . you know how it goes!

Source: forwhatitsworth-ornot.blogspot.com via Katelyn on Pinterest

The sweetest Hot Snowman Chocolate, just perfect to gift a friend with. I found it here on For What It's Worth. Isn't it adorable! Of course if you are like me, you already have lots of empty jars saved. I never throw a jar away and our shed has several boxes full of them just waiting for me to make a good use of them!

Source: oureverydayearth.com via Mallory on Pinterest

The most adorable snowman ornament made from an old lightbulb! I've seen lots of these through the years, but this is the cutest yet. You can find out how to do this, plus 9 other ideas for making ornaments out of recycled things over on Our Everyday Earth.

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Mallory on Pinterest

How's this for an utterly adorable decoration! I think they're just sweet. Santa Suit Cones! You can find out how to make them yourself over on Thrifty Decor Chick! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Source: myblackbook.free.fr via Mallory on Pinterest

I love this idea, which once again uses empty recycled jars. Make your own snowglobes! Again, so pretty and just adorable! You can find directions on My Black Book.

Source: womansday.com via Beth on Pinterest

How about an Advent Calendar Pine Tree Forest! A bit late now to make one for an Advent Calendar, but these little trees would be cute anywhere. I always have lots of felt in my craft dresser and buttons too! You can find the patterns on the Women's Day site.

Source: choosetothrive.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

How about making your own stars from old tin baking plates and dishes. You know, the kind that ready made pies and dinners come in. You can find an excellent tutorial here on the Choose to Thrive blog! Aren't they gorgeous!

Source: sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

How about this adorable bauble made from Acorn Caps? Isn't it pretty! The directions for this can be found on Sweet Something Designs. She also has a lot of other really pretty ideas on her page.

Source: somewhatsimple.com via Angela on Pinterest

How about holiday hand sanitizer in a cute bottle that you dress up yourself. I found the directions on Crafts and Crap. (I know, naughty name, but nice crafts!)

Source: todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

How about a Holiday Whisk? Isn't this just darling?? You can find this and a bazillion other cheap gift ideas on Today's Fabulous Finds.

Source: notsoidlehands.blogspot.com via Angie on Pinterest

Candy Cane Fudge anyone? You can find out how to make these over on Not So Idle Hands. She's got a lot of other great ideas too!

Source: heroarts.com via Angie on Pinterest

Who says money can't grow on trees??? For some great Gift Card Ideas, using money, check out Hero Arts!

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

How about some really adorable gift tags you can print out yourself? I think these are really cute and they're free. You can find them over on Poppies at Play.

I hope that these ideas whet your whistle just a little bit and get you to thinking all crafty about Christmas. There are just tons of talented people out there with lots of wonderful ideas. Just google Christmas Crafts. You'll be amazed at what comes up! So many smartie pants in the world! It's just wonderful!

Here's a little treat that I like to make for neighbours and friends during the holidays. I've never had anyone refuse one yet. Honestly!



*Holiday Fudge Wreath*
Makes 1
Printable Recipe

This is a real holiday treat that is not only very easily put together but impressive to look at when it’s finished. To give as a gift just wrap it in plastic cling film and tie with a gaily coloured bow!

12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (if you can get them, if not just use more chocolate chips)
1 (405g) tin of sweetened condensed milk
(save the tin)
1 tsp pure vanilla essence
1 cup nutmeats, chopped coarsely, plus more whole ones for decoration
½ cup sultanas
Candied red and green cherries for decoration if desired

Butter an 8 inch round cake tin with softened butter. Cover the empty condensed milk tin with plastic cling film and set in the centre of the cake tin.

Combine chocolate chips, vanilla and condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until they melt together, about 3 minutes. (Make sure it is warm and smooth and shiny, so that it doesn’t instantly set up when you stir in the nuts and sultanas) Stir in the nuts and sultanas and quickly scoop into the prepared pan around the plastic wrapped milk tin in a wreath shape. It looks nice and more natural if it is all bumpy and swirled on top.

Decorate the top with cut up cherries to resemble holly with nuts in between if desired. It looks really pretty. For a completely different look you can decorate it with crushed peppermint candy canes. (leave them a bit chunky).

Put the fudge in the fridge to set and chill until firm. Remove the can from the middle and then carefully use a spatula to remove the fudge ring from the pan. If you are giving it away as a gift, wrap carefully in plastic wrap or cellophane and tie with a pretty bow. Your friends will love you and think you are really smart to have thought up such an idea!

Variation: Use 18 ounces white chocolate chips instead of the chocolate chips and 1 ½ cups pistachio nuts plus ½ cup of dried sweetened cranberries instead of the other nuts and the sultanas. Otherwise do everything else exactly the same. Enjoy!




Over in The English Kitchen today some tasty Egg and Potato Wraps!

“As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

PS - I was able to speak to my father yesterday and we had a lovely conversation. His heart rate had gone down to 20 beats a minute on Sunday morning. He was passing out. Thankfully he was not on his own and his friend called an ambulance. I'm going to have to look for a special gift for his friend Madeline because she surely deserves a special thank you!

Once upon a time . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Once upon a time, not so long ago, and not so far away . . . in a beautiful place, there lived a girl who was very, very happy.

Source: countryliving.com via Marie on Pinterest

She slept every night in a beautiful room next to her Prince Charming, who was everything she had ever hoped for and dreamed about. Each morning she awoke in a beautiful bed, so soft and comfy that she scarcely wanted to leave it . . . but she must, and she did . . . because she just knew that she had a beautifully wonderfully exciting day awaiting her. So she would throw off the bedcovers and jump out of bed, doing a little happy dance because a whole new adventure was about to begin! This happened every day.

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Into the bath she would dash to splash some water on her face and brush her teeth. She just knew that something exciting was going to happen today and she could not wait to get started . . . she threw on her clothes (only the best you understand) and ran a comb through her hair and then she fair danced down the stairs!

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Into the kitchen she would bounce where she would sit in her comfy kitchen chair and think about the day ahead. She would bow her head and give thanks for all that was hers and pronounce blessings upon all that she knew who were in need of them and even some who weren't, and she gave thanks for the day she had been blessed with and then . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

It was time to crack a few eggs and juice a few oranges because she needed sustenance to begin her day and nothing was better than a plate of scrambled eggs and a big glass of fresh orange juice . . . nectar of the Gods . . . it was . . .

Source: fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

She'd do up the dishes and as she did she admired their beauty and how they sparkled in the sunlight once they were all squeaky and clean . . . oh she was a very lucky girl to have such beautiful things, and she knew it.

Source: raisingjane.org via Marie on Pinterest

After the dishes were done and all had been put away, she would pull on her cowboy boots and bound into the yard, where the sun shone down on everything and it was warm and sweet and you could hear the birds singing and the chickens pecking in the yard . . . oh it was so beautiful . . .

Source: 500px.com via Marie on Pinterest

She'd say goodmorning to all of her friends and give them a scratch behind the ears and a cuddle and oh the world was so sweet and the dew so pretty sparkling like jewels on the grass as it did.

Source: countryliving.com via Marie on Pinterest

And that was how her days would go . . . there would be time for play and time for work . . . time for fun . . . and time for friends. Her days were a happy mix of all that was good and some that was sad and everything in between. Not all days were sunny, but then again . . . how could you love the sun without a bit of rain in between to make it even sweeter . . .

Source: planetnatural.com via Marie on Pinterest

There was light and there was song . . . pretty flowers, and butterflies. Lotsa green and lotsa pink. Carrots to pull and peas to pick . . . a pretty bouquet for the table . . . a dance on the garden gate, swinging to and fro whilst the wind blew her curls against her cheeks just so, and sunshine bathed her face in it's golden glow . . .

Source: img3.etsystatic.com via Marie on Pinterest

And then there were kindnesses shared with those she loved and sometimes even those she did not love so much . . . but it didn't hurt to make them smile even a tiny bit. Perhaps a kind word, or a handful of daisies . . . or even just a smile to brighten up their day. She filled her cup with lots of these, so much so that it overflowed and some spilt back on her own scuffed toes, which made her dance even more . . .

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

At the end of the day she'd curl up in a chair, a blanket wrapped around her just so, and watch the sun as it dipped and bathed the earth in the wane of it's diminishing warmth and she would think about all the things that she had done . . . as crickets and toads began to sing their evening song . . . she'd ponder all the good and the bad, the sweet and the not so sweet. She'd kick off her boots and wiggle her toes, and run them into the cool grass next to her chair, feeling the sweetness of it all and sighing at the wonder . . .

and to think . . . she could do it all again on the morrow. The thought of that made her scrunch up her shoulders with joy and her tummy got filled with light and little tingles and sparkles that made her want to explode with the goodness of it all . . .

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

Who needs a castle in the air, and golden jewels and auburn hair when you have a life that is filled to overflowing with simple joys and pleasures . . . treasures that money cannot buy, and love and the joy that comes from being able to count your blessings and smell the roses. The ability to feel the grass beneath your feet and know that it is good and sweet . . . eyes to see the stars appear in the waning light of a summer sky, a heart that knows where goodness comes from and where it goes . . . all the beauty that each day brings in small and not so small ways.

Today is your once upon a time . . . only you have the power and the ability to make it so.

Source: countryliving.com via Marie on Pinterest

My mother always made lovely tortieres for Christmas. That was the only time of the year that we had them and we did so enjoy them. Back home you can buy tortieres frozen now, all year round and they are good . . . but nothing beats the pleasure of making your own from scratch. My sister makes very good ones too. Her pastry is sublime. I think there are probably as many versions of this French Canadian meat pie as there are bakers . . . but then again, that is the way it is with something that is really good.



*Tortiere*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

Tortiere is a meat pie originating from the Quebec (French) region of Canada. It is traditionally served on Christmas eve in French households and on New Years Eve but it is also found and enjoyed in grocery stores all year round. As with anything though . . . Homemade is the best of all!

Meat Filling:
1 ½ pounds ground pork
1 onion, chopped really fine
¼ cup celery, chopped fine
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp summer savoury (if you can’t find this, you may use a mixed herbs)
1/3 tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp allspice
1 bay leaf
½ cup boiling water
1 small potato, peeled and finely grated

Pastry:
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp salt
½ cup vegetable shortening
¼ cup cold butter, cut into bits
5 to 6 TBS ice water

Glaze:
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 TBS water

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat and add the ground pork. Cook, stirring to break up the larger chunks until it is completely cooked through and all of the water is evaporated. (I like to use a potato masher as it cooks, to help break it up into small even pieces)

Stir in the onion, celery, garlic and grated potato. Cook until the onions and celery are tender, but not browned. Add the salt, savoury, pepper, allspice, bay leaf and the boiling water. Cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer over medium heat for about 25 minutes.

Remove the lid and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes longer until most of the water has evaporated, but the mixture is still quite moist. Set aside to cool while you make the pastry.

Place the flour and salt in a large bowl, mixing it well. Add the shortening and butter and cut it in with a pastry blender until it resembles very fine bread crumbs. Add the water a little bit at a time, stirring with a fork until the mixture forms a soft dough that holds together well. (Try not to overwork it) Gather it into a ball and wrap it up in plastic cling film. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F.

Divide the pastry in half. Roll one half out on a well floured surface, with a well floured rollingpin, to a size that will fit into a 9 inch pie round pie dish with about a one inch overhang all around. Transfer it to the pie dish.

Remove the bay leaf from the filling and spoon it evenly into the pie dish.

Roll out the other half of the pastry to fit over top of the pie dish with the same amount of overhang. Trim and seal the edges by either pressing it together with the tines of a fork or fluting it with your fingers. Cut a few vents in top for steaming and brush it with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 30 to 50 minutes, on the lowest oven rack, until it is golden brown on top and crisped on the bottom. Serve warm with mustard pickle or catsup on the side.


(Pork and Roots Traybake with an Apple Relish)

I'm reviewing Coleman's Gravy Paste and have posted a round up of lovely recipes that you can eat gravy with today, over in the English Kitchen!