T’was three-and-a-bit-weeks-before-Christmas..

..and I suddenly realised that I hadn’t got my trusty Christmas notebook out on my kitchen counter. In fact I hadn’t even looked for it.. Well, at least that’s sorted now.

It occurred to me then  that perhaps I’d better have a quick glance through it to see what I’m supposed to be doing at this stage..

Hmmm, let’s see..

• Mincemeat made √;
• Christmas gravy done√;
• Christmas Pudding made √ (thanks Mr SN);
• Mince Pies? Nope, and I need to make so many to give away..
• Casseroles for the freezer – well that would be a resounding NO..

I’d bought the ingredients for my Italian Meatballs  https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/italian-meatballs-with-mozarella/ over the weekend but they are still sitting in the fridge, looking around helplessly and saying ‘why am I here?’ ‘What’s it all about?’ and other existential questions.. I might need to move on that..

My excuse is the glorious Baltic/freezing days that we’ve had recently. Mr SN and I have been out making the most of them, and frankly the Christmas prep has gone off track a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, it was so icy that I couldn’t open the door of my car for my Monday morning trip to the bakery. It was still chilly when we got to Mount Stewart, a National Trust property near Newtownards, but a walk up and down a few hills, and a quick trot around the lake soon warmed us up. Mount Stewart was looking beautiful this morning, with the sky reflected in the lake, and the sun glinting through iced vegetation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, it was soon time to come home and get back to the Christmas prep, so in the spirit of ticking another little something off my list, I’m going to make my Chocolate cover Orange peel,

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/chocolate-covered-orange-peel/

 

and my new-for-this-year Candied Peel https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/homemade-candied-peel/

tomorrow, or maybe the next day – Look! I’ve even bought the oranges! These are so delicious that I wonder if I will be able to resist them before they have to be given away!

If you haven’t tried my new Crumble recipe yet, may I recommend it to you? This is an ideal recipe for Christmas entertaining, if you’re having friends or family over.

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/pear-cranberry-and-ginger-biscuit-crumble/

It’s festive – it’s got Cranberries in it! – with pear chunks, and crushed Ginger snap biscuits in the Crumble part – We’re going to have it for dessert for our Christmas Eve dinner – that’s how good it is! If you don’t have ginger biscuits to hand, my new and improved Crumble recipe is all yours, and couldn’t be easier – here’s the link to that – https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/my-sweet-crumble-recipe/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now all I’ve got to do is check my cupboard and freezer staples – that’s in my annual November post – https://eatingforireland.com/2018/11/01/stuff-to-do-in-november-to-take-the-strain-out-of-december/

And I’m not ashamed to be seen with a list clutched in my hand as I do my weekly Supermarket shop!

There is the small matter of Christmas presents, but I’m really trying to shop local this year, and most of it is still doable at this stage (she said, crossing her fingers!)

Enjoy these lovely Winter days and remember that although Christmas appears to be back to its pre-Covid madness for all of us this year, the best bit is still the run-up to it.  Our beautiful country is at its best on these frosty Winter days – off you go and enjoy it!