Christmas Blog

Good afternoon Morning (was going to post yesterday) and a “Happy Holidays” to my readers.

I hope that year as gone well for you and next year will be better.

So lets face it tomorrow is going to be one of the most stressful days of the year, especially of those who have chosen to cook on the day and not prep the day before.

After working in hospitality and catering for over 10 years I know how import prep is and even I fall behind now that I have two children running around all day.

So now might be the time to put the kettle on and sit down and run though my check list and see if it helps.

1. Tea is important, you always have time for tea!
2. STOP! Washing the clothes. If you have not done it by now leave it until after Christmas. There is nothing worse than the smell of damp laundry. So put all the dirty clothes in the laundry basket with an air freshener, put the iron away and the clothes that I dry.
3. Find out your clothes for the morning.
4. Put the washing machine on WITHOUT any thing in it, possible white vinegar, disinfectant or glucagon just to give it a clean and a fresh smell for when your guest are here.
5. Now have a cup of tea!
6. Make a list of now many people you think that you will be cooking for towmarrow and decide when is the best time to start cooking and preparing. REMEMBER the fresher the better and “IF in doubt throw it out!”
7. Check that you have enough tables, chairs and remind people to bring a chair with them IF you need one do not feel embarrassed to ask for help if you need chairs, cups plates, etc.
8. Think about using paper plates and plastic cups IF they can be recycled on the day.
9. Clean as you go! Start with the kitchen and then the bathroom. They are a MUST!
10. Have a cup of tea.
11. If you are cooking from frozen with meat reed the instructions so that you cook it correctly to avoid food poisoning, the same when mixing any cooked and uncooked food., Meat, fish, dairy.
12. Check who is eating what, NO you are NOT running a cafe BUT some people may have special dietary requirements or allergies so if cooking from scratch be careful and if from a box/packet keep the information to hand.

I can not think of any thing else a part from, keep places that MUST be off limits to children or pets closed off where ever possible.

Do not forget to wash your hands!

Have any area that is for children to play in and adults can talk if possible.

It is OK to ask people to take their shoes off at the door.

DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

HAVE FUN!

PS Practice safe SEX or make sure you have one more seat next year!

PPS any thing that I have for sale will be on E bay by Boxing Day.

November 2016

I can not believe that another year as almost most passed me by and what have I done?

To be honest I have not really done what I would have liked due to unforeseen circumstances.

This year I have done any baking this year like I planed too.

What I did do was use the Elderflower Syrup that I did make last year on the Painted Lady Narrow Boat in some of the dishes that I did cook.

I also made my sons birthday cake for this fist birthday, I will also be making a Yule Log next month for my sons nursery.  This is something that they are going to then sell and give the money to their chosen charity.

I am hoping next year to be more "on the ball" and am looking at trying to plan the year if |I can so that I can cook more and learn to make jam.

I would also want to look at using Himalayan Balsam to make some dishes in the kitchen.; after reading an article in the Towpath Paper I would like to try out a few things that the flower can be used for including pressing the flower for card making.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-wildlife/the-rogues-gallery/himalayan-balsam

http://www.wildplantforager.com/blog/edible-weed-how-to-eat-himalayan-balsam-flower-and-use-the-stem-as-a-straw

About is the Christening Cake that I decorated for my son's Christening on the 6th November 2016.

Bryndly's Birthday Cake that I made for his first birthday.