Monday 31 December 2012

Day 31

The Christmas lights are amazing along Regent Street.
This years theme is The Twelve Days of Christmas and
today being the seventh day - Seven Swans are swimming.
Happy New Year everyone and a prosperous 2013.

Day 30

Our annual trip to London during the Christmas break. 
This is my 2nd favourite store.

Day 29

Don't know why I try to dust Christmas Decorations,
perhaps it's the OCD in me!

Day 28

Hitting the sales hoping to find that elusive Pink Winter coat!

Friday 28 December 2012

Day 27

Spent a wonderful evening looking at places to go and things to see.  Love to plan a trip!

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Monday 24 December 2012

Day 24

I'm excited, are you?
Wishing all my family and friends a wonderful Christmas and hope
Santa brings you all you may wish and hope for. 
Jingle all the way
Lynetta Xx

Sunday 23 December 2012

Day 23

All that glitters may not be gold!.  Love the twinkle and sparkle this time of year.

Day 22

Comforting thought that my friends think of me.

Day 21

A lovely thought of not having to set the alarm for 2 weeks :-)

Saturday 22 December 2012

Week 45 - Mince Pies

This is the way I make my mince pies, and there is no changing me or them; they are small to be
popped straight into the mouth in one go - Nigella Christmas
Faff Factor = 8
Bake = 8
Keeping Up Appearances = 8
Total score = 24/30
First of the Christmas bake and I chose Mince Pies.  I won't lie to you I didn't make the mincemeat as I bought a really good quality jar the other week containing apple and sultana's but I did make the pastry. 
I love following a Nigella recipe, I love the way the book gives a word by word account of what she says on her programmes and I feel she is in my kitchen with me (don't laugh, please).
I also like the fact she gives an option of using a food processor (oh I wish) or a freestanding mixer (my Ken), I chose to use my hands and I was mighty pleased with the result.
Nothing much more to report on really, the pies came together nicely and the smell in my kitchen was all Christmassy so a win win for this little bake.
I'm counting down the number of bakes to finish this challenge.  I'll be honest with you again, I've lost the Mojo but I will not fail, I will not give up, I will conquer this quest and embrace my new oven to do the 7 bakes remaining.  Here's hoping the little time I have off over Christmas will give me some opportunity to succeed.
Love to all and Deck the Halls.
Lynetta

Friday 21 December 2012

Monday 17 December 2012

Day 17

Every year we buy Jack a decoration for the tree. 
This year I found this personalised one and it's a money box too!

Day 16

Start of the Christmas baking

Sunday 16 December 2012

Day 15

Carol Singing in church - Loved the atmosphere and Boys Choir

Friday 14 December 2012

Thursday 13 December 2012

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Week 44 - Flourless Chocolate Cake

For all those avioding wheat this cake is for you.  If you want to try this cake as a pudding serve it topped
with raspberries and a coulis - Fiona Cairns Bake and Decorate
Faff Factor = 7
Bake = 7
Keeping Up Appearances = 7
Total score = 21/30
mm, I'm reserving a little judgment on this cake. I don't quite know what to make of it.  My first attempt was rather poor as this was the first cake I cooked in my new oven, which by the way I am having a terrible time with trying to get the correct temperature for a constant length of time.  This is making my baking a little unpleasant at the moment, however I digress, back to the cake. It's kind of dense but light, heavy but not solid and very very sweet. I personally did not like the taste but once again the boys did.
This is the first flourless cake I have made and the technique to bring it all together was rather interesting.  You need to mix butter, chocolate and sugar over a pot of simmering water then add almonds and leave to cool.  Seperate the eggs and whisk up the whites with sugar. Beat in the yolks to chocolate mixture then offer the eggs and gently mix in.  I'm glad I gave it a go as I've not used this method before so another tick in the box.
I think this cake would make a great after dinner pudding with some spruced up cream or as suggested in the book some raspberries, as on it's own it is rather too chocolatey.
I am so far behind now with my challenge and I know it will roll into the new year but I'm not stressing about it, life and other things are taking my time at the moment but I will succeed, I'm not a quitter. 
I've a few things planned to bake over the christmas so hopefully I will be back to more regular updates and reports.
Keep smiling
Lynetta Xx
 
 

Monday 10 December 2012

Day 10

First decoration for 2012
(will be changing the bow to a more upmarket one though)

Day 9

Winchester Christmas market
One of the few stalls selling Christmas decorations

Day 8

A hearty breakfast pre-Christmas shopping expedition...got to be done!

Day 7

Friday night drive through dinner.......McYucky's

Thursday 6 December 2012

Day 6

A little light bedtime reading to get myself prepared for the big day...

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Day 4

Christmas Tree in Reading Oracle (Town Centre) all twinkly

Monday 3 December 2012

Day 3

Having a friend who finds the time to bake you a birthday cake = Special

Day 2

Celebrating my 49th birthday.  A few of my little gifts :-)

Sunday 2 December 2012

December Daily 2012

In 2009 I played along with other scrapbookers posting a photo a day throughout December and last year I made a feeble attempt on here too.  I thought I would give it a more concerted effort this year to keep a record of what my life is like this month.  It will be just the photo with a little description, nothing too taxing so I hope I can suceed.
So without further a do, here is today's (yesterday's) photo.  My friend Sarah couldn't resist giving me this wonderful advent calendar as she knows I have an unhealthy obsession for Beach Huts.  I'm wondering if anyone who owns a hut decorates them like this for Christmas? I'm look forward to opening the doors everyday to see what they are like inside, how silly am I?
Toodle Pip
Lynetta Xx