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Monday 3 December 2012

Just remembered


I haven't hung up my Advent Calendar yet, this is what comes of all the grandchildren growing up.  But I bet when they call the first thing they will ask is, Nan where is the Advent calendar.  It is one I made a few years ago, it has different designs to hang on each red button, (supposed to look like berries).

 
Juat back from a week in Cardiff, lovely shops so I managed to get some Christmas shopping done.  The streets are all decorated with light and Christmas trees, they even have an ice rink outside the civic buildings, they also have an outdoor market selling all kinds of christmassy things, including delicious food.  The city has lots of arcades, some of them are very old and have little specialist shops, I found a great button shop in Castle Arcade, so if you are ever in Cardiff you must pay a visit.  You can just see it on the right hand side of my DH, who is so patient when I discover a shop like this, he wanders around whilst I am looking.
 
 
This is one of the outer walls of Cardiff Castle.
 
 
This is another of the really old arcardes.  They have also built some modern ones, the latest St Davids has a selection of the more exclusive shops, nice to look at!
 

 


I've been busy since I've come home, just sunk in how near Christmas is, I've made a couple of dozen mincepies and a stollen.  I freeze the mincepies raw and cook them fresh when needed.  I burnt the top of the stollen a little, so when I take it out of the freezer, I'll cheat and take off the burnt bit and cover with icing and flaked almonds.  It's not good getting older if you don't get wiser.

 
Here is the first tray of mincepies ready for the freezer.

 
Sorry this photo is so blurry, it's the stollen going for it's 2nd proving, I've put sultanas and dried apricots and cranberries in it, (could they be thought of as jewels) plus of course the marzipan.
 

Before I went away I had a great evening at our club's Christmas party, this is June and Liz choosing the loveliest decorated present.  The winner had 2 gingerbread men as part of the decoration (they didn't last long).

 
This is Vi who has just won a prize, we tease each other non stop, but laughter helps the world go round.
 
I think I have caught up with all my news, going shopping again tomorrow, must remember sellotape and more Christmas cards.  In my next life I am coming back as a man at Christmas.  Thankyou for visiting me, not much sewing this time even though I am sewing every evening and loving it.  Looking forward to meeting with you all again soon in Blog land
 
 

6 comments:

  1. What a lovely holiday! It looks like you had fun at your Christmas party! Your mince pies look yummy!

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  2. Lovely header Jan, looks like you had fun in Wales .
    Yummy cooking.
    Have fun, hugs.

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  3. Cardiff seems to be a lovely place, and I have to add this town on my 'where I have to go' list =D
    and it's great to see the fun you had at your club, Vi is so happy =D
    great pictures
    Thanks for sharing
    xxx

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  4. What a fun post! Loved seeing your advent calendar and those shops! Wow! They look like one could get into a lot of trouble shopping there!

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  5. What fun! I really enjoyed coming along to Cardiff with you as well as to the Christmas party! I've never had a mince pie but I've had stolen. Never thought of making one myself! Could you possibly share the recipe?

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  6. Your trip sounds lovely, nice pics.
    Yes please to a mince pie, I do like your little holly decoration on them.

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