T’was two-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 ditto, but I need to make many, many more to give away..
• Casseroles for the freezer – well that would be a resounding NO..

I’d bought the ingredients for my Italian Meatballs  http://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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Covid regulations had ensured that the restaurant, reception and shop was closed, but a take-away coffee was a welcome reward for our walk.

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 tomorrow – 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!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t tried my new Crumble recipe yet, may I recommend it to you?

http://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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now all I’ve got to do is check my cupboard and freezer staples – that’s in my annual November post – http://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 sanitized hand as I do my socially-distanced Supermarket shop!

There is the small matter of Christmas presents, but I’ve really tried to shop locally this year, and most of it is in the post as I type!

Enjoy these lovely Winter days, and remember that although Christmas is different for all of us this year, the best bit is still the run-up to it.  Sadly, we won’t be at Nativity plays and Carol Services – but Nature has been our support during Lockdown, and is at it’s best  on these frosty Winter days – off you go and enjoy it!