The 'C' Word
Nov 28th 2015, 12:14 am
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
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The 'C' Word
Despite being disgustingly close to 100% humidity I am on a mission today to kick off some festive spirit. 
Santa Parades across the country are abound, so I am starting off with a change of avatar and some good old free range Kiwi domestic goddessicity, with fruit marinating in the fridge for Miracle Three-Ingredient Christmas Cake - Annabel Langbein – Recipes and the Christmas cards laid out on the dining table - now need to summon up the energy to write on them.
What treats and plans do you have in store to celebrate this Kiwi Christmas?
Santa Parades across the country are abound, so I am starting off with a change of avatar and some good old free range Kiwi domestic goddessicity, with fruit marinating in the fridge for Miracle Three-Ingredient Christmas Cake - Annabel Langbein – Recipes and the Christmas cards laid out on the dining table - now need to summon up the energy to write on them.
What treats and plans do you have in store to celebrate this Kiwi Christmas?
Nov 28th 2015, 5:22 am
#2
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Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
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Re: The 'C' Word
got some presents for the kids, worked out how to make chocolate, peppermint candy cane bark without it separating. Made some grapefruit marmalade which we shall give out to some friends.
Surprising so far MrF hasn't mentioned the colour scheme yet this year, he loves Christmas decs and by now he has usually decided on a day to put them up. Mind you could be he is so busy atm. Plus we have DS 10th birthday on the 19th so need to sort stuff out for that - least its not a friends party this year just a family one - we do alternative years for parties.
No idea what we are even going to eat, in the UK we made Christmas an excuse to get "exotic meat" to see if we liked them but unfortunately not something you can get here.
So probably will be turkey and ham.
As for the actual day, depends on the weather, but will skype MrF's parents sometime and hopefully be able to get to the beach.
Surprising so far MrF hasn't mentioned the colour scheme yet this year, he loves Christmas decs and by now he has usually decided on a day to put them up. Mind you could be he is so busy atm. Plus we have DS 10th birthday on the 19th so need to sort stuff out for that - least its not a friends party this year just a family one - we do alternative years for parties.
No idea what we are even going to eat, in the UK we made Christmas an excuse to get "exotic meat" to see if we liked them but unfortunately not something you can get here.
So probably will be turkey and ham.
As for the actual day, depends on the weather, but will skype MrF's parents sometime and hopefully be able to get to the beach.
Nov 28th 2015, 11:24 pm
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
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Re: The 'C' Word
It's
NOVEMBER!!!!!
NOVEMBER!!!!!
Nov 29th 2015, 12:25 am
#4
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,861
Re: The 'C' Word
Despite being disgustingly close to 100% humidity I am on a mission today to kick off some festive spirit.
Santa Parades across the country are abound, so I am starting off with a change of avatar and some good old free range Kiwi domestic goddessicity, with fruit marinating in the fridge for Miracle Three-Ingredient Christmas Cake - Annabel Langbein – Recipes and the Christmas cards laid out on the dining table - now need to summon up the energy to write on them.
What treats and plans do you have in store to celebrate this Kiwi Christmas?
Santa Parades across the country are abound, so I am starting off with a change of avatar and some good old free range Kiwi domestic goddessicity, with fruit marinating in the fridge for Miracle Three-Ingredient Christmas Cake - Annabel Langbein – Recipes and the Christmas cards laid out on the dining table - now need to summon up the energy to write on them.
What treats and plans do you have in store to celebrate this Kiwi Christmas?
Nov 29th 2015, 2:42 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
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Re: The 'C' Word
I was a bit sceptical until my Mum told me she made something similar with just mixed fruit, fruit juice and flour so I thought I would give it a whirl as a trial to see how it turned out. I made mine with mostly milk and a half a cup of orange juice for a bit of extra flavour and also added a couple of teaspoons of mixed spice. We just tested it this arvo with a cup of tea and no complaints; it's quite nice and dense with fruit but I would have preferred it a bit darker. I am sure it would benefit from being left for a week or two to mature with a wee feed of brandy.
Nov 29th 2015, 4:59 am
#6
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,861
Re: The 'C' Word
I was a bit sceptical until my Mum told me she made something similar with just mixed fruit, fruit juice and flour so I thought I would give it a whirl as a trial to see how it turned out. I made mine with mostly milk and a half a cup of orange juice for a bit of extra flavour and also added a couple of teaspoons of mixed spice. We just tested it this arvo with a cup of tea and no complaints; it's quite nice and dense with fruit but I would have preferred it a bit darker. I am sure it would benefit from being left for a week or two to mature with a wee feed of brandy.
Nov 29th 2015, 7:52 am
#7
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Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
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Re: The 'C' Word
I also did the recipe as had a BBQ to go to this afternoon. I just stuck with what was listed and everyone was surprised when I told them how easy it was and it was lovely and moist. Going to do a Christmas one with cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice.
Dec 1st 2015, 3:43 am
#8
wish I wasn't here!
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: Erm...Plymouth unfortunately!
Posts: 510
Re: The 'C' Word
Christmas cake made, the Annabel Langbein recipe worked so well, never used it before.
Christmas tree is up
Mother arrives i 1 week... Countdown begins
Christmas tree is up
Mother arrives i 1 week... Countdown begins
Dec 1st 2015, 5:53 am
#9
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Dec 1st 2015, 9:04 am
#10
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Re: The 'C' Word
Well let's get on with it then 
I have made my traditional Christmas cake and I shall almond paste it next week. Started writing my UK Christmas cards today, most of them done. Made some pastry for mince pies and have frozen it but that's about it.
I have made my traditional Christmas cake and I shall almond paste it next week. Started writing my UK Christmas cards today, most of them done. Made some pastry for mince pies and have frozen it but that's about it.
Dec 1st 2015, 9:12 am
#11
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Re: The 'C' Word
Wanted to change my avatar to my Christmas one but it won't work for some reason. Most disappointing, so you'll just have to continue with "Hold Me, Touch Me". Apologies.
Dec 2nd 2015, 6:40 pm
#12
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: The 'C' Word
Must almost be time to start boiling the veg in Britain.
Dec 2nd 2015, 7:52 pm
#13
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Posts: 567
Re: The 'C' Word
We bought our Christmas tree from IKEA today. Cost £25 and they give you a £20 voucher to spend in IKEA in January so the tree, really, only costs £5.
Sorry......
Sorry......
Dec 2nd 2015, 8:41 pm
#14
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: The 'C' Word
I find mine after they fall off the back of a truck in the countryside. Careless truck drivers eh? 
Dec 2nd 2015, 9:24 pm
#15
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Posts: 2,744
Re: The 'C' Word
I purchased our fake Christmas tree and some garden furniture from the same shop at the same time about three years ago ! Putting them all in the car on a hot bright day was a real, 'this is NZ' experience !
The irony being that the large zip up bag I bought to put the tree in cost more than the tree ! I needed a long large bag as the tree is already on it's base.
No more trying to aim the base spike of the tree into the metal dish where we would then screw the three screws into to hold it upright. Oh what 'fun' we had doing this. It's traditional !
Good excuse to bring out the booze, though
The irony being that the large zip up bag I bought to put the tree in cost more than the tree ! I needed a long large bag as the tree is already on it's base.
No more trying to aim the base spike of the tree into the metal dish where we would then screw the three screws into to hold it upright. Oh what 'fun' we had doing this. It's traditional !
Good excuse to bring out the booze, though