Wednesday 4 December 2019

Into December





So, here we are, at the beginning of the final month of the year, and it made me so happy that it arrived with the most wonderfully bright and crisp weather. Overnight, the landscape turned into a winter wonderland. It looked quite magical and I couldn't think of a better way to get me in the festive spirit, except for maybe some gently falling snow. ❄❄❄

Last weekend the advent stockings were hung in preparation for the annual countdown to the big day and Lily could hardly get to sleep with the excitement of it all. Goodness knows how we will get through Christmas Eve this year! And yet, I still haven't got any further with my preparations. I know I said I wanted to take a relaxed approach but I really do need to get on and make a proper start.

On Saturday morning I was up nice and early in order to make some mince pies. I have a favourite recipe which I use every year but wanted to try something a little different for a change. The pastry called for some ground almonds and cinnamon, whilst some additional brandy was required for the already 'enhanced' mincemeat. They were delicious. In fact, they have all disappeared already! And, although I think I will return to my usual pastry recipe for my next batch, I will definitely include the extra brandy in the mincemeat in future. 😉














Sunday brought with it another early start but this time it was for a walk in the beautiful Borrowdale valley. Another hard frost had made for a sunny but bitterly cold morning, the shores of Derwentwater were iced over, and I was grateful to be wearing my woolly sweater, hat, scarf and mittens. We began our walk through the woodland. Frosted branches glistened in the sunshine, the ground was crunchy underfoot, and we needed to remain vigilant for patches of ice as we continued along the rocky track, then upwards towards the final steep climb to the summit. As well as the cold frosty weather, cranberry sauce in our sandwiches, along with mince pies in our lunch boxes provided a delightfully festive feel to our day.
During our descent we made a brief detour to visit Milican's Cave, where we rested a while and Lily enjoyed some hot chocolate. It wasn't long before she discovered an icicle which she really, really wanted to bring home with her, however, she soon changed her mind when her gloves  became cold and wet. Fortunately, I had some spare gloves with me, while Lily took ownership of my already warm mittens.


Following an early Christmas meal out with friends on Friday evening, this weekend has made  a lovely start to my festive season. Plans for the week ahead include making a Christmas wreath, visiting a Christmas tree festival and possibly baking some more mince pies.
A glass of mulled wine, anyone?
J. X

48 comments:

  1. Oh your photos are just magical today Jules.
    Although I do love snow....very much...a good frost can be so much prettier.
    Your mince pies look amazing and I'm not surprised they are all gone. I have made a start on festive foodstuffs with bread sauce and homemade pear and cranberry sauce going into the freezer today.....some for us and some for The Doodles They both smelt yummy.
    I was going to make a wreath this year but Andy beat me to it and picked one up from the farm. Never mind the metal wreath rings will save for next year.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you, Sheila, although I hope they didn't make you feel colder than you already are and, yes, I agree a beautiful frosty landscape can be just as pretty as a snow covered one.
      It's a good idea to save the metal wreath rings for another year. I use an old coat hanger! :D

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  2. Lovely photos, Jules. You've captured the beauty of these last few days perfectly. I had to giggle at Lily wanting to bring the icicle home, aren't you organised having that replacement pair of gloves at hand?
    I haven't had a mince pie in years and I'd never tried one until comparatively recently as they were rarely vegetarian, yours are little works of art.
    Xmas isn't a big deal in our house but we've booked a table for our Christmas Day curry and this morning I've block printed some brown paper to wrap the few presents I give (not that I've been shopping yet!)

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    1. Thank you, Vix. It was a beautiful morning - a little like a Christmas card scene.
      It was a great icicle too, I don't blame Lily for wanting to keep it. Having the spare gloves was more down to luck than good organisation, although it's surprising what can be found at the bottom of my rucksack!
      Christmas Day Curry is a good plan - we favour Boxing Day biryani. X

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  3. Sounds like you are well underway with your festivities. I don't think even at my slower pace I will have time for anything other than tried and tested recipes. I have yet to make my cake as we were engaged in the christening party on the weekend I would normally do it.
    Such beautiful photos of the frost - it was certainly hard where you live - ours was more of a sprinkling. x

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    1. In recent years I've tried to steady the pace of our celebrations. It makes for a more enjoyable festive season, rather than trying to fit everything in all at once. I've also learned to say 'no' to some things which has also helped alleviate any additional stress. X

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  4. That frosty landscape certainly does look festive, along with the preparations in your kitchen. It made me chuckle that Lily wanted to bring the icicle home with her, I think that's a lesson she'll only need to learn once.

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    1. The frosty landscape looked so pretty, although it felt bitterly cold. X

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    1. I had a feeling you might join me. Cheers! X

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  6. Oh Wow, you are indeed living in the middle of a winter wonderland you lucky thing. Those little advent socks are so cute with their numbers on them, no wonder Lily can't wait to see what's inside them.

    My hand is raised for a glass of mulled wine please. Why do your mince pies look so professional - mine never turn out like that!

    I'm enjoying your relaxed approach to the festivities, the peace and calm of your blog is just what's needed at this hectic time of year.

    Enjoy the week ahead, sounds like you have some lovely things planned. xx

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    1. It was a beautiful morning, Suzanne. Everywhere looked so pretty, but unfortunately we're back to grey and wet weather again today.
      I think the mince pies were more down to luck than skill but, as I usually make one large mincemeat slice and portion it up, it made a pleasant change to bake some individual ones. X

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  7. What beautiful frosty scenes in your corner. I too make my mince pies with extra brandy and ground almond in the pastry. Haven’t made any yet but it won’t be long. Love the advent calendar. I’ve promised to make something homemade next year. All shop bought this time unfortunately. Enjoy the rest of your week. B x

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    1. I'd never thought to add extra brandy to the mincemeat before but it makes such a difference. X

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  8. No ta to the mulled wine but I'll have tea with those mince pies thank you!! they look very tasty :D lovely photos x

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    1. Thank you, Kate. I'll put the kettle on :) X

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  9. OH WOW!! We've had some frost, but nothing like yours! I thought our bit of frost was quite something though as we don't get frost much being on the coast. Your walks look like a winter wonderland and your little advent stockings look so sweet. No wonder Lily was so excited! Those mince pies look truly scrumptious. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. The frost made everything look quite magical. It was a beautiful morning.
      I knitted the little stockings a few years ago now, and there is a small chocolate(or two) tucked within each one. X

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  10. Oh, such beautiful pictures! My favorite is probably the one with the mince pies! :D I'll decline the mulled wine as I don't drink anything alcoholic, but, I'll take a mince pie, instead, if I may! :D Enjoy the rest of your preparations!

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    1. Thank you, Bless. The mince pies were delicious and I'd treat you (and myself) to one right now, if only I had any left. X

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  11. your photos genuinely look like they should be in a winter edition of Country Living. They are beautiful and your palette is gorgeous.

    I want a mince pie please. And a glass of mulled wine. Nope, actually, make that two! (of each).
    xx

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    1. Thank you, Sadie, that's a lovely compliment. The frosty weather made for some lovely photo opportunities.
      Two of each! Now that's a fabulous idea :) X

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  12. Oh Jules, it does look like a winter wonderland. How nice to have a white Christmas.
    Mince pies sound delicious.

    Sometimes I wish we had snow here (not too much though :) ). But I am vicariously enjoying snow by looking at your photos.

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    1. It really was, Nil, although we are unlikely to enjoy a white Christmas. We have a return to wet and gloomy weather today, but I can always dream. Xx

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  13. Your photos are spectacular, Jules. I particularly love the frosty ones. We've had frosts here, but nothing so heavy. You live in a very lovely part of the country. The advent stockings look so good hanging from their little pegs. Did you knit them?

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    1. A sprinkling of frost can make everything look so beautiful. It would be wonderful to wake up on Christmas morning to see such a pretty sight.
      I knitted the little stockings a few years ago and there's some small chocolate treats tucked into each one. X

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  14. Looks delightful!

    Sounds delightful!

    Enjoy!!!!

    🎄😊🎄

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  15. Yes, please!

    What lovely, festive photos. THanks.
    xx

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  16. Your photos look properly wintry. Yes please, I'd love a glass of mulled wine (I had two on Sunday) and I'm definitely ready for a mince pie, yours look delish. x

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I suppose even the mince pies finished up with a sprinkling of 'frost'. I think I will also make some mulled cider some time soon. X

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  17. It was a really frosty weekend wasn't it, everywhere looked amazing and the light through the trees was beautiful. I didn't manage to get any photos, yours are lovely. Shame it has all gone now.

    I love your little socks hanging on their line, I hope Lily is managing to get some sleep amongst all the excitement.

    I haven't started on mince pies yet but have made two batches of star biscuits which have all been eaten. I don't eat mince pies so I don't know how well extra brandy in the mincemeat will go down here, perhaps I should try it without saying anything.....

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    1. It was such a beautiful start to the month, such a shame that the frost has since disappeared, although I am very happy I had the opportunity to enjoy it while it lasted, as it certainly made me feel very festive.
      Lily is doing OK, however, I have noticed she is falling asleep slightly later than usual in an evening. There is so much excitement in the air that it's hardly surprising.
      I added just an extra tablespoon of Brandy to my mincemeat but it made for some delicious mince pies. X

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  18. Oh, those little hand knit stockings are so sweet! Your photos and writing are incredibly festive. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I am feeling very festive, can you tell? X

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  19. It was on the path at the side of the River Derwent that my wife called to me to look at a Mistle Thrush, stood on a stone and twisted her ankle and ended our honeymoon: nearly half a century ago. It's hardly changed.

    Your mince pies look (and I'm sure taste) lovely. I'm rather envious. I tried for the first time last year with less than pleasing results.

    As always your photos have given me many minutes of reminiscing and joy. Thank you.

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    1. Oh dear. I hope you had managed to enjoy most of your holiday beforehand. It is beautiful down by the river near Grange, and at this time of year it's lovely and quiet.
      The mince pie recipe is quite straightforward (I don't enjoy recipes that require a lot of ingredients or faffing about). I'll try to post it later :) X

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  20. I'm envious of your cold weather and the frost that makes everything look so magical. Everything's hot and parched here but there's not much we can do about it, just get on with things. I don't think the mince pies would have lasted very long in our house either, they look delicious! Beautiful photos as always and those advent stockings are gorgeous. xx Susan

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    1. Thank you, Susan. I like the heat but I'm not sure I would enjoy the temperatures you're experiencing at the moment. I hope it eases soon.
      I will be baking some more mince pies this weekend and I don't think they will last long either :) X

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  21. what a beautiful place you live in, the pictures today are magical, inspiring, so very pretty.

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  22. ...yes please, I'll join you in a glass of mulled wine :)

    Your photographs should be on a calendar or used for Christmas Cards, they are beautiful.

    Enjoy your weekend, we are getting our Christmas decorations out … looking forward to it :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'll just get another glass :)
      Thank you, Jan. The frosty morning lent itself to some lovely wintry scenes.
      I think I will also make a start on the Christmas decorations this weekend and maybe eat some mince pies. X

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  23. Those minced pies are so cute! I want to try and make some now. Lovely photos and commentary!

    MB> keturahskorner.blogspot.com
    PB> thegirlwhodoesntexist.com

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    1. Thank you, Keturah. They are delicious. X

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  24. I'm not a great fan of winter but I do love frosty days when there's blue sky and sunshine. Great photos as always and I love the ones of the frosty ferns and berries :-)

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    1. Same here, Eunice. They are so much more favourable than the wet, gloomy days, and the frost makes everything sparkle. X

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