Advent indeed....

 Dear Friend,

I am far more full of 'cold' than i am of Christmas Cheer this morning.

Never-the-less i am joyful! and replete with the excitement that Advent morning brings.

 And you are so right, of course!

To be gentle with oneself and not to keep demanding more. Put less expectation on 'what fabulousness needs to be achieved'... and to actually enjoy what fabulousness is already here.

 Memories!!

They are abundant and overflowing and the regularity of Christmas is so reassuring.

You are right, again, on every level.

I have done none of my shopping - none of my baking - none of my own making.

I care not a jot.

 The Angel Costume was hung up in the School Hall this morning with her name and class written boldy.

The Advent Santa was full on the advent surprises.

I have cocktails on Saturday Night with my local Girl Friends.

My dog thinks i am beautiful, even sat here in my tracksuit nursing the stinky cold.

And i can - just about - stomach my seething jealously of your Avent Elf  House for yet another year.

(they never made another as pretty and perfect as this)

Secretly you see, we instil the magic of Christmas into them, so they can keep it going for us when we run out of steam! Clever Mummies xxx have a Gluh Wein for me?

Breakfast

Is it wrong to reeeaaalllyyy enjoy having Breakfast .....>>>>>> alone? Not every day. Just occasionally.

Current obsession is with marmalade.

It's amazing how many people also love it, when you start to talk about it.

Homemade Marma, going down a treat with my family :)

2 Sins of mine....

My LittleFish's Cupcakes: My Bakewell Cupcakes - over on the food blog x

Oh god, this picture makes me want to eat another one!

Sins I am guilty of... Pride and Gluttony x

mmmmm x that crafty kitchen...

Uhhhh-huhhh - that is (was) my breakfast...
Simply amazing x
A slice of fresh bread - toasted to perfection, with a thin layer of unsalted butter (i don't believe in diets and i do think being thin is highly over-rated) Lumps of creamy Mozarella - i love cheese in all its forms and glories...

TOPPED with home made Berry Jam x delicious x

I didn't have my camera with me unfortunately, but the SmallFish, the SisterFish and myself managed a spot of soft fruit picking. The joys of our labour alchemically turning into Jam.

Jam isn't hard to make, but it's very rewarding. Raspberries, Blackcurrants, Passion Fruit, Apple Juice, water and Sugar (with added Pectin) boiled up to about 220 degrees and poured into attractive Kilner jars... bliss.

After this weeks Jam, came Cordial.....
The COMEDY value of my Elderflower Cordial has beed sorely missed though.

I realised i might be a bit late in the season to get any Elderflowers - i should have been out a few weeks ago... but i was DETERMINED to make some of nickys Elderflower Cordial.

There was A moment when time stood still - SmallFish screaming, our crazed dog barking, on the narrow path running alongside the local canal.... me balancing on the SHOULDERS of ManFish, reaching, stretching, pawing at the last of the Elderflowers way up high in a tree top.... if ever there was a comedy moment when i should have fallen in that cold canal water, surely that was it???

Luckily for me :) the elderflower Gods were smiling down on this day in history and declared:

"CraftyFish - you shall have elderflowers AND we shall spare you the humiliation of falling into the water or the stingy nettles, for you deserve refreshing cordial from natures fine harvest"

It tastes OUT of this world................. Cheers my lovlies x

(Cooeee ***Big wave to Grace*** thanks for my email Grace!)

"Local Craft Matters" .... *waves*

I write a regular column for a little publication in the UK called "Local Craft Matters".
I really enjoy it as i LOVE to talk about how fantastic and important Craft is and how you can support craft and 'find' social crafting in our area.
Anyway, i wrote my article and said about "craft fairs are the best place to Christmas Shop" and "why not make stuff... like chutney!" SO.... in case my readers wanted proof - here is me and the smallerFish making chutney...


Me, in love with Nigella (sigh) if she knew me, she'd really like me I'm sure... Always sterilize those jars! We don't have a dish washer as i find washing-up rather therapeutic (but a little rough on my poor hands)

It is a Nigella recipe called "Christmas Chutney" with all my favourites: Apples, Clementine, Cloves, Spice, Cranberries, Dates (and sugar and vinegar!)

Of course, all kitchen Divas need crowns! But please, I am NOT a terrible 'affected' lady that feels the need for Diva-ness. Any Mother to a 4yr old girl knows that Princess Crowns are worn by everyone in the family on a regular basis (including the dog x)

Yeh, go on, make Chutney! Make 'something' - feel good about yourself.

Staying in is soooooo the new 'going out'!