...patterns,
and we've had our first snowfall to encourage the feel of Christmas.
A
friend gifted me with a lovely poinsettia to add to the seasonal ambiance,
John has spent hours adding lights and ornaments to the living room
and dining area
and the frenzy of mini-ornament making has one of the studio tables well occupied.
The oven has been going at a near constant pace,
and the first roaster-full of nuts and bolts is out of the oven (does anybody use Worcestershire sauce at any other time of the year?).
Something tells me that the season is well and truly on the way. I hope you're in the throes of the excitement as well, and your preparations are filled with wonderful smells, delightful makings, love, joy and hope that characterize the season.
What a beautiful snapshot of the season, Win. We had our first snow with Storm Arwen. Thankfully it cleared quickly but the rain and wind have been fierce again this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the 'nuts and bolts' - some sort of snack? Plus I have to say that I actually use Worcestershire sauce quite a lot during the rest of the year :)
I saw that you'd had some snow there, and that's most unusual for Britain! Sorry to hear that the rains and wind have taken over (or is that preferable?).
DeleteYou'll find a similar recipe for Nuts & Bolts here: https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/classic-homemade-nuts-and-bolts-recipe/ . It's a salty go-to snack for Christmas, along with the one for Christmas Crack. And I'm sure I have no other recipe that calls for Worcestershire sauce (in fact, I can hardly key it, it's so unusual :D )...I'll have to check with some of my uber-chef friends to see what they say. ;-)
I shall have to give it a try!
DeleteLots of south-east Asian recipes use Worcestershire sauce - I use it more since living in Australia than I ever did in the UK :)
Now I'm intrigued - I'll have to look up some W-sauce recipes just to see what I've been missing!
DeleteHi Win, we had snow and then lots of wind and now the temperature is up again and it's sunny. I've finished making Christmas cards and hoping I have enough gifts for everyone as I really don't want to go to the shops as I know it will be crazy from now on and just hope people are being sensible. You asked about the Worcestershire sauce, my hubby loves it and often uses it on food which annoys me no end as it surely must kill the taste but I've given up bothering. My one also likes to put up the tree and ornaments which I'm fine with and it's one less job for me. Take care my friend. Hugs, Angela xXx
ReplyDeleteYour weather there is much like here, then...we always say if you don't like it, wait five minutes and it will change, and that holds true even more so with climate change and all the accompanying crazies that go with it.
DeleteMy hubby is British and when we met I expected he'd be a fan, although that turned out not to be the case except in Nuts & Bolts. I am eternally grateful. :D
Glad you've got a resident decorator for Christmas...it makes things so much easier, right?!!! xo
Nuts and Bolts. I must get out my mother-in-laws recipe. As much as I miss our above freezing weather, the snow does give things a sparkling coat.
ReplyDeleteI'll be making that second roaster-full on the weekend, Eileen, and have already had a healthy taste of the first batch! I'm with you on the snow - it's so bright and beautiful (and may it last only until February!).
DeleteBrrr, I don't like snow or cold (I'm from the south of France, by the Mediterranean Sea). I find it very beautiful, graphic and rhythmic, but from the right side of the window, where it is hot, warm and comfortable... Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I love everything that is good to eat and smells good in the house, so your salty treats coming out of the oven make my mouth water! Enjoy all your preparations, whether artistic, culinary or festive.
Thank you for all this beautiful sharing my friend.
PS: I love you wonderful mini ornaments too, bravo!!
Oooooh, I'm green with envy on your location, Sim...living in the south of France is a dream, and I've yet to visit (post-Covid, perhaps?!!!). While we don't get the same amounts of snow as Alberta, the province next to us and across the Canadian Rocky Mountains, it's definitely much cooler in the winter. It makes us appreciate those hot-out-of-the-oven goodies even more. Happy preparations to you in the warm country, my friend! Sending pre-Christmas hugs!!
DeleteIt is not exactly hot here, it is cold all the same, but snow is rare and does not last long; it's more ice and hoar frost that we have. Most of the time I stay in anyway! :D
DeleteWarm hugs my friend.
We're never sure what to expect here...from December to March can be cold (even down to -20 C), we can have a lot of snow, or just a little. Right now there's a bit of snow on the ground left from the fall a while ago, but more purported to be on the way today (or we might get rain :D ). It's always a surprise living in the Creston Valley, which is why our orchards and vineyards can be a shock to visitors! Happy and warm week, my friend!
DeleteWell my friend it looks like you are almost ready to go on your Christmas run. Don't you just love The whole Christmas Season...even the snow, it is gorgeous, after Christmas it can go to blazes though...lol. Your picture line up is perfect. First stop to enjoy the season and then back to the stove and stir like a banshee.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and lots of hugs.
Definitely getting there, and I agree on all counts about the snow! Canada's highest mountain pass it between our families, so it's always a tossup to see when the turkey gets done as it's roads-weather-dependent.:D You're right - stirring like a banshee until then. Hugs right back atcha, and happy prep, my friend! xo
Delete