Christmas Moments

 (Chocolate peanut butter balls)

(John's decorated Christmas cake) 

(Wouldn't be Christmas without Auntie Delia)

Images of Everyday Life

(preparing raised watercrust veg pie for new year)

I have been struggling to get back to my blog lately, not really knowing where or how to start a blog post. So to ease me back into it I will post little glimpses of what is happening around these parts at present, and if I feel inspired to write even better :)

Is it too soon to use the C word?

I do realise there are still several weeks till the the big day, I'm also well aware that we are not even up to Halloween yet, but I can't get away from the fact that some preparations just can not wait.

One of the traditions in our house is the Christmas cakes being made in October, giving them plenty of time to mature before the end of December.
I used to hate Christmas cake, don't really like fruit cake generally actually, but since making my own the way I like it I love it, or rather I love my recipe :)

I now make two cakes one to be topped with marzipan and icing, the other to gave a glazed nut topping, mmmmm.
Good job I make two as last year I managed to drop one which proceed to roll along the ground grrr.

Also no need to make mincemeat this year as there is plenty left from last year, and I'm not bothering with Christmas pud.

Ahhhh the holiday season :)

(today's blogging soundtrack- rocky horror picture show) really festive, Ha.

Mad Tea Party - 2013 !!!!

Hello fellow party goers !!!
and if you have come over from Vanessa's A fanciful twist welcome to my blog!!

I hope you all received your invites in good time to join in with all the fun :)

Along with the note that came with my invite, was instructions on how to get to the party.

Firstly through the shady grove.....

Then follow the winding path between the trees.

And look !! We have arrived !!!

The table is laid, the tea is brewing and there is plenty of goodies to spare.

Do have a seat and tuck in, there is a lot of un-birthdays to celebrate today!!

Grab yourself a teacup and saucer.....

and what type of tea would you like?

English breakfast, fennel, or perhaps chocolate peppermint!!

Poppy would like to play too!! 

She can be Dinah and drink catnip tea!!

Milk? Sugar?

A perfect cup of tea.

It looks as though the white rabbit and the door mouse are having a game of chess!!

I wonder who will win?

Would you care for a biscuit? Or perhaps a slice of cherry tart?

Don't mind if I do, thank you :)

Best eat up before the knave steals them all.

Yumm.... cherry bakewell tart.

Don't forget to save a cherry for last!!

Hmmm I wonder what future hides in the bottom of my cup?

The sands of time are running out?

Oh dear it is getting very late, I'm afraid it is time for us to go !!

I hope you all enjoyed visiting my mad tea party, 

thank you so much to Vanessa over at A fanciful Twist
for hosting the 6th!! annual mad tea party,

and I hope to see you all at the other parties taking place around the bloggy world.

Also you can find my previous mad tea parties Here and Here xxx

Some Everyday Moments

Whilst uploading photo's for the Mad Tea party tomorrow I cam across some random shots that didn't warrant a post of their own.
The above was taken a week before the solstice at around 11.40 pm, still daylight. Actually it was much lighter than the pic suggests but the camera couldn't capture it too well.

Having a bit of a treat in the garden centre cafe after a morning of shopping, mmmmm. Umm there may have been other treats bought taken home for later..... (We'll just forget the up half the night in agony with biliary colic, yep indeedy).

And finally, a shot of our Poppy cat lounging amongst the daisies yesterday, just because.