the christmas that was

There were so many things I wanted to write about in the weeks before Christmas, but time just got away from me.  I am feeling much more relaxed now, here's a sneak into what was happening!  Be warned, it's a little lengthy!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, peace and love surrounding you.

We have these magnificent 'paperbark trees' on our property, they always flower just before Christmas and look so lovely.

Paperbark trees

Every year I make these for the playgroup mums ... Rocky Road and Gourmet White Rocky Road.  This has been the last year for us!

Rocky Road & Gourmet White Rocky Road

Our street party didn't eventuate this year, so a group of us had a small get together.   My contribution was a spinach dip (I usually do this in a cob loaf, this time on its own with vege's and crackers), and a Choc Ripple Cake.

Choc Ripple Cake

Spinach Dip

We visited a 'new' friend who kindly offered to do DD19's hair following her surgery.  These yummy Choc n Cherry cupcakes were a nice treat for afternoon tea.

Choc n Cherry cupcakes

I also made a selection of slices to make up gift boxes for adult family members .. we only buy for children .. there wasn't very many left over, much to DH disappointment!  I promise I'll post the recipes for them soon.

No-bake Hazelnut Slice

Gourmet White Rocky Road

Chocolate Ginger Slice

Cashew & Cherry Chocolate Slice

Add a few Rum Balls and here we are!

It just wouldn't be the same if DD19 wasn't putting Lego together with DS4 on Christmas day.  Next year I think I'll buy her some all of her own.  As you can see, she is now recovering very well from her surgery, she had such a terrible hospital stay, I am embarrassed that I used to work at the same hospital!

How did he know this was a new hat???  Silly billy.

The Christmas pudding that I posted about here was scrumptious, we were so full afterwards we could hardly move.

I was very happy with the 'practical' gifts of blueberry bushes, raspberries, almond, apricot and mulberry trees, which was exactly what I had hinted at!!

DH is watering in the newly planted blueberries!

Tomorrow we are heading off for a night camping on the beach.  It's one of our favourite spots, I can't wait to show you some pics.  

The sunflowers have just come out in the last few days.

Life is suddenly feeling at a pace more suitable to me!

DD16 is having a fantastic time in Germany.

I do hope you're all having wonderful holiday time :)

christmas pudding

Usually I have my Christmas Pudding up and hanging in the first week of October.  With the hectic time we've been having lately, I just got it done in the last couple of weeks.

This recipe is from a very good friend of mine, Leanne.  It's her mums recipe and I guess someones before that.  I really like recipes that are handed down or 'come from somewhere'.  I love knowing the history of them.

It goes like this.

MRS MACS FAMILY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

250g butter (not margarine)

250g brown sugar

250g sultanas

250g dates

250g currants

250g raisins

375g mixed fruit

2 packets cherries

2 small packets walnuts, chopped

375g plain flour

1/2 cup milk

5 eggs

2 tbsp brandy

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp bicarb soda

1 tsp lemon essence

1 tsp almond essence

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp extra brandy

You will also need a piece of calico, 1m x 1m.  Wash well in cold water (no detergent) leave to dry.  Some strong string.

THE NIGHT BEFORE:  In a large bowl place all fruit, nuts, cherries, sugar, spices, bicarb soda and mix well.  Pour over brandy.  cover with alfoil and leave overnight.

NEXT DAY:  Place butter and milk in a pan.  Heat till butter is melted.  Pour over fruit mixture and mix well.  Add flour and well beaten eggs and essences.  Have everyone in the family take a turn to stir the mix with a wooden spoon and make a wish.

Matthew was having a sad because it was so hard to stir!!

Wet cloth and lightly flour.  Pour mixture into the middle of the cloth.  Pour over extra brandy, bring corners of cloth together and gather up the rest of the cloth.  Tie tightly with the string leaving a little room between mixture and string.  You will need help to do this so make sure all your 'stirrers' are still around!

Place in a large pot, cover with water and bring to the boil.  Boil for approximately 3 1/2 hours.  Keep an eye on the water level.  You need to keep the kettle on the boil so you can refill the pot as necessary.  Always make sure it is at least three quarters full and the water should never go off the boil.

Take out and drain.  Make sure you squeeze as much water out of the calico corners as possible.  Before hanging it, I  always tie these bits up together out of the way so they don't touch the pudding.  Hang in a cool place with nothing touching it.  Enjoy on Christmas Day with either brandy custard, cream or ice-cream.

I hung it on the clothes rack until DH got home because it was too heavy for me to lift to the hook in the pantry ceiling.

*Before filling your pot with water, place an upturned saucer on the bottom of the pot so the pudding doesn't come in contact with the bottom of the pot - this may cause it to burn.

*For best results make in early October and allow to hang till Christmas.  On Christmas day, put into large pot of water and boil till heated through.

*Although it doesn't say so, I always have my water on the boil before I put the pudding in!

 According to very old tradition, everyone in the family has to stir the Christmas pudding mixture.  This brings good health and luck to each member of the family in the coming year.  The day reserved for the stirring was "Stir-Up Sunday".

A Christmas pudding is traditionally made with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and His Disciples.

A proper Christmas pudding is always stirred from East to West in honour of the three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus.

One more thing ticked off!  As I'm slowly getting through everything that's on 'the list' I'm feeling better.  I was starting to feel like I wouldn't get it all done.  

I wouldn't ever hear the end of it if they had to have a shop bought pudding, I think its happened just once.

Hope you're all having a great week :)