Bo-Jangles

Don't worry, we're not missing out; we can purchase similarly cheap, plastic landfill here for next to nothing too. A 6ft tree in the Wharehouse for $14

Bo-Jangles

Sods law, I ran out of envelopes before I ran out of cards and have one more to write.

I went to the mall on the way home and soon realised that was a big mistake; it took twenty minutes to negotiate my way in a direct route from the entrance to the exit.

There's no way I am getting involved in that madness, simply not worth the stress.

BEVS

Couple of posts moved

Christmas needle drop and other stiff can be found HERE

Charismatic

Know what you mean about the shops, went in to buy a jar of Marmalde the other evening and ended up going to the self-service. Felt like I needed a shower after :-(.

BEVS

......and I've done precisely nothing. Attachment 123287 but I'm sure come the day it will all be fine.

Bo-Jangles

Mmmm mmm, just having the first mmm mince pie of the season.

Snap Shot

I've beaten you to it ! I had one last night. I like Earnest Adams cakes but the mince pies are always a disappointment. Even if I bought mince pies from a bakery, they are expensive and not much better.

I could make my own, either mincemeat (I've actually got a good recipe) or mince pies. Should I buy a jar of fruit mincemeat from an ex-pat shop and make my own pastry like my Nanna used to make mince pies ? Another throwback to 1972 !

I could make my own custard using Birds custard powder, milk and sugar as well. Oh...the old days !

Bo-Jangles

Mine was from Bakers Delight - hugely expensive $9 for 6 but they are the only ones that pass muster in this house. Making them is such a faff!!

Bo-Jangles

OMG now look what you made me do, I had to go and have a look at Marks and Spencers food porn to see what lovely goodies they have that you don't actually have to lift a finger to make yourself. Drool!!

scrubbedexpat094

Just made 96 mince pies for our theatre volunteer's night tomorrow! Our house smells all Christmassy 🎄🎄🎄. Just having a break before I make a couple of Victoria sandwich cakes.

Sparkleydiva

Well Christmas officially starting in my house..
Tree up
Presents bought
Cake made AND
My mum arrives tonight from Manchester for a month

Feel happy. Only need to finish work on the 18th and will be great!

Mark Smith

Mince pies and clotted cream from Geraldine, yum.

scrubbedexpat094

Well tell Geraldine to send the rest of us some. Selfish to keep them to just the two of you

bourbon-biscuit

My cheat to good mincepies is to buy that weird stuff that passes for mincemeat here (the tubs) and add in: chopped cherries, sultanas, dates, toasted nuts, stem ginger (if you can find it, otherwise candied peel) and boost the spice mix also. I used to make my own but I can't be bothered in the heat. My second cheat is to get my husband to make the pastry and the kids to assemble the pies. Works for me.

I can buy clotted cream from New World here now and proper double cream from countdown. Such an improvement on nine yrs ago.

Bo-Jangles

Ooh really, double cream? Is it Lewis Road? After going without for so long I forget to look for things like that but definitely going to add some clotted cream to my Christmas shopping list now.