Are you in Christmas baking mode yet?
I'm not making a ton of sweet things but have a few basic recipes on the go...
I make shortbread and mince tarts.
This year I decided to make a simple fruit loaf and searched on line to find a recipe that was quick, easy and could be made as a single loaf.
I found one on the Lord Byron website...
Holiday Fruitcake
I brewed up a small pot of strong tea and added all the fruit to steep.
The rest of the ingredients are mixed in and then popped into a prepared loaf pan.
Bake about 55-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out cleanly...
I highly recommend this fruitcake!
My candles had melted onto the candle holders
which I cleaned in super hot water in the sink using a soft scrubby.
Plus I needed to replace the wee ones with new candles.
I love the scent of beeswax as they burn...
and they are a "clean" burning candle.
Honey Candles are a BC company.
Easy to find in the shops and even our grocery store stocks them.
Frequently they go on sale so that's a good time to stock up...
they make great gifts too!
So I have a wee confession...
I absolutely HAD TO BUY new jeans.
My old MNG pair were hanging off me and the butt area was SO BAGGY...
it was terrible...
(I've lost over 12 pounds)
I was on The Avenue mailing Christmas cards...
wearing said baggy jeans under my long puffer vest...
Feeling SHABBY.
Well fitting clothes really DO matter.
I happened to go into Nicholas Randall to look for some gifts.
Spied a pair of jeans made by SPANX :-))
Did you know that SPANX made jeans?
( I didn't!)
They have a smooth waist, back pockets, and wide legs.
Tried them on and Bingo they fit...
smooth around the hips and derriere
wider legs for a bit of fun.
They were not cheap
but I didn't give that a second thought...
I have one other pair.of jeans...
(they too are baggy)
Will see if I can salvage them by having them altered...
as they were new in the summer.
If not I will consign them...
The fairy lights are glowing...
orchids are in bloom.
Things are looking Festive.
The house is feeling warmer with the lights and the Christmas tree.
I'd say they are positive mood shifters during these cooler grey days of December.
Bought some new walking shoes by Remonte
(by Rieker)
which will replace my New Balance shoes from 2019.
These are very comfy and have great support.
(on sale for half price)
Darling Daughter found me a pair of Tod's driving Mocs at the thrift shop !!
These are suede so will be dry weather shoes...
Tod's Gommino Penny Bar Driving Shoes
(NEW price well beyond my budget)
So when Jennifer asked if I would be interested I said SURE!
She's got a great eye for bargains and quality.
My OOTD is uber casual...
LuLuLemon Black Yoga pants
Gap Faded Denim shirt
Cashmere socks
Slippers
I'm
dusting and vacuuming
knitting and reading
and
making soothing chicken vegetable soup.
You can see the melted wax on these candle holders here...
my current murder mystery book
by Caroline Graham
Chief Inspector Barnaby of Midsomer Murder Fame.
Love a good murder mystery book...
If you celebrate the Festive Season...
Are you getting ready for Christmas?
Do you send cards?
Have you started decorating?
Shopping?
Making Gifts?
What recipes are you planning to make?
We will have a fairly quiet time here in The Humble Bungalow this year...
I'm not planning much entertaining as my hips are not great.
I have good days and bad days.
I am still coming to terms with this...
I do accomplish stuff but need to take breaks in between tasks.
It is all completely new and I am figuring out as I go...
Any how...
Hope that you are doing well and enjoying the start to the festive season.
Merry Christmas
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
28 comments:
So envious that you have to get new jeans because you have lost so much weight ! I had to get new jeans and corduroys recently because I’ve gained weight and the old ones just weren’t comfortable anymore. :-(. Your recent yoga/ knitting retreat sounds wonderful and I wish I lived close enough to attend. Thank you for the book recommendation, Broken Country. I’m always looking for something good to read. Our Christmas cards are mailed out and the tree and house are decorated so l’m ready to celebrate and looking forward to a cookie exchange and holiday parties. Best wishes to you !
Your house is looking lovely Leslie. And yes, I have started decorating. The tree is done and has wrapped packages under it. I have yet to decorate the mantle and bring other things out.
I've really been diligent about my diet recently because my surgeon told me I would have less hip pain if I lost a few pounds. The pain is nasty...Apparently there is a lot of stress on the hips and knees because of excess weight and I have not been very mindful of my eating habits since Covid...it's not easy modifying one's diet and I totally empathize with you.Hope you enjoy Broken Country...it was a fabulous book! Christmas Cookie exchanges are such fun...I have not attended one since my retirement. Best Wishes to you for a wonderful Christmas.
Lot's to look forward to....sounds like you are pretty organized with the gifts and wrapping too. Happy Holidays!
Your home is looking so cozy! I had both of my hips.done during Covid. It really was life changing. The pain sneaks up on you and drains your energy. You will feel so much better after your surgery.
Hi, well done on the weight loss. Our Christmas prep is very light handed here, being summer we as a family have salads with cold meats etc, usually eaten outside. We have been busy making a big pile of home made cards for our grandchildren who live in another country. We glue old stamps on the front and decorate the envelopes with stickers. When we visit, we give the cards to Mum and Dad, who pop them weekly into their letter box. The cards bring us and the grands so much joy and laughter. Thanks again for an enjoyable read of your blog x
Such a cosy time of year, isn't it? Well done you for losing the weight. I'm sorry you're going through pain with your hips and I hope the weight loss helps. As for me, the mincemeat tarts are made and I've got most of my presents organized. The tree is up but it's wonky. Looks drunk as it sits sideways in the stand. Not the tree's fault. It's time to get a new stand ... Hello Boxing Day. Thanks for the Broken Country tip - I'll Google it.
I love all the twinkling lights you have decorated with, it looks very christmasy . I have almost finished my shopping and will put up our small tree this week. Vicki
Nice work on the weight! I hope your hip can ease up a bit. And we're decorated around here, but simply, as my kids will be with their partners' families this year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Leslie!
Our poor hips as we get older, I remember reading that we humans aren't actually engineered to be upright, it's hard on our skeletal system. But I do like being upright so there you go. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I do love a bit of decorating for the holiday. Getting ready to wrap some things for the grands this evening. A quiet Christmas is my favorite kind. The unease here (we are your southern neighbors) is like a strand of electric wire buzzing under everything. I pray that good minded people prevail and we can undo (again) the great harm of the hateful.
Thank you for the lovely post. Looks like an excellent fruitcake recipe, I’m going to try it. I’m almost done with Christmas gift shopping and wrapping, just a few more items to go. I started decorating this evening, but I have to write and mail all last cards this week. It’s such a busy time of year, I have a lot of work at work and busy teenager at home. I’m sorry to hear about your discomfort… your new sneakers and driving shoes are lovely! ~ avicennia
Good for you losing 12 pounds and getting new jeans! Yes, I am baking and that is helping me to NOT lose any weight...but it would not be Christmas without cookies. I just did a post on the cookies I am making...my mother's recipes...so many memories. Yes also to sending cards, but cutting back on people I am in contact with on social media, or who we never see or hear from any longer. That was the plan, until the first cards we received were from people we decided to not send cards to this year! May reconsider! Love your new shoes...enjoy your cozy winter and glad you hip is feeling better !!!
Your house looks so pretty with twinkly lights and decorations. I am curious what face cream you are using. Your complexion looks so dewy. Merry Christmas and hope your pain subsides.
I'm very behind reading both your blog and instagram! I am happy to report that I have all my Christmas cookie baking done. I don't believe I've ever been done this early. I made a dozen different types of cookies. I have never liked doing a marathon baking session, I know some people do. I make a kind or two at a time and that's it for one day. I put everything in the freezer until closer to Christmas. Some I give away. Good for you on the weight loss! I'm working on that myself - slowly, but doing well with it. Love a good murder mystery!
Congrats on the successful hip replacements....good to hear that you are doing so well!
Colleen...The creative cards sound like fun. The children will remember them for years to come...making memories is really what these holidays are all about.
Hope that you enjoy the sunshine and warmth of your Christmas! We love that Tim Minchin Song about Christmas and drinking white wine in the sun!!
Glad that you like the blog and feel comfortable leaving comments...I appreciate it :-))
Cooler weather does make us lean into the cozy habits that give us comfort and warmth....Good to hear that you are organized...I am planning on making the mince tarts this weekend...I've got shortbread and fruit loaf done and am avoiding temptation (so far!) Happy Holidays
Vicki, The shops are quite busy now so it's good that you are almost finished your shopping...time to enjoy that tree decoration...
Merry Christmas...enjoy your festive Season.
I would have thought that we would have adapted to the upright stance by now...I like being upright too!
Hopefully you'll enjoy the Joys of the Season despite the political climate...kindness is never out of style and we can share the positives with those we meet and those we love.
Best Wishes for a Wonderful Christmas!
It is a Busy time of year...it's a juggling act with a job and a young family. Hope you can find some time to relax and take care of yourself.
There is lots to do and many more social engagements than usual...I quite like it all but I think we keep the fuss to a minimum.
Happy Christmas
I've only had a few bites of shortbread...need to keep my eye on the goal...(less weight equals less pain) a great motivator.
We had a postal strike here last year so no oe was able to send cards but this year many of us are sending them out.
The new walking shoes are so comfortable!! I had forgotten how old my other ones were and they had lost a lot of their support.
I will need to go and read your recipes...and the memories of your mom.
XO
We have the same white twinkly lights outside...our neighbours have an array of colourful lights which makes me think maybe we should change our long standing tradition of all white lights!!
I am using Pamela Anderson's Sonsie line of skincare...I love it! Am on my 3rd order and I think it's fabulous! My rosacea is reduced and there is hardly any redness and I think it must be the serum.
Well done on the baking!!! That's a lot of cookies...keep up that progress on the weight loss....I have been weighing myself several times each week to see if I am choosing the right foods...carbs and sweet treats are my downfall. I know I will hit a plateau at some point but will continue to be mindful...Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
I love your necklace. Is it from a jewelry store in Victoria
The necklace is from France...It was in one of the subscription boxes from My French Country Home.
Do you use only the serum? I have rosacea and I’m thrilled you found something that works.
I have used the Sonsie face wash, serum and multi moisture mask...since November 2024. I have reordered once since then and I just ordered the new balm instead of the moisture mask which is supposed to target redness...I am hoping that I will like it.
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