In our house Christmas decorating gets left until the last minute as I use quite a lot of evergreens and if I put it up too soon, it is brown and crispy in no time! So yesterday and today I have been doing all my last minute prep and cooking and generally getting in the festive mood.
I've been cooking to Christmas CDs, watching lovely Nigel Slater on the TV, giving myself a break watching The Polar Express and doing the last minute decoration on our Christmas Cake.
This isn't a traditional Christmas cake as I don't like the strong taste, this is a fat and added sugar free Molly Cake.You can find the basic recipe here, mine is an adaptation. I use golden raisins, dried apricots, glace cherries, crystallised ginger, pineapple, mango and orange peel and walnuts. All mixed together with a paste made from dates, ground almonds and orange juice. I topped off the cake with toasted marzipan and more fruit.
Finally to finish, a Christmas card I made for my special crafty friend Judith. Not my usual style, but I fancied trying a Christmassy version of what I call the Magnolia style. I loved these rich colours. This is an 8 inch square easel card, the image is from Mo Manning and the sentiment is a Waltzing Mouse stamp.
Whatever you are doing for Christmas I hope you have a happy one with your loved ones. We have a quiet day planned tomorrow, with a couple of good films, books and our feet up. It has been a very hectic time lately, and I can't wait!
Elaine x
That's an absolutely delightful card - very individual & I love the reds & your terminology. The cake looks amazing & it certainly sounds as if you have been very busy indeed. Have a lovely time with your family, we too will be watching DVDs & having a quiet day for ourselves.
ReplyDeletePaula (PEP)
Elasine beautiful your Christmas decoration and your wondeful Christmas card. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy and lovely and Merry Christmas.
Lovely greet
Marja
Elaine I don't know which looks more yummy, the cake or the beautiful card or which is the best work of art! The cake looks so perfect it doesn't look real but having sampled your cooking I know it is. I'm sure Judith is thrilled with her card it's so lovely and the colours are so warm. Beautiful work my friend.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day tomorrow.
Lots of love
Lesley Xx
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful decorations and that cake looks wonderful and sounds very interesting. Have a wonderful time
ReplyDeletedecorations look lovely - so does the card! thanks for the recipe, will try later - current one I use does have fat, glad this one doesn't.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas, thanks for the inspiration
xxx
Hi Elaine. Merry Christmas. I hope you are haveing a lovely relaxing day. Your decorations are beautiful and I love the image on the card. Enjoy the time away from work.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Hi Elaine, mmmmmm looks delicious! And the card is so lovely....your Christmas decorations looks great and it must be very cosy in your home! Merry Christmas, greetz and x Miranda
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, apologies for not commenting on this post sooner. I was in the depths of Christmas preparation when it popped up! Your decorations look absolutely gorgeous, and I love your Christmas cake! Having sampled lots of your cooking in the past, I am sure that it is delicious!
ReplyDeleteI was delighted to receive the beautiful Christmas card, the colours are so lovely at this time of year. I love the deep reds and greens, and the embellishments are gorgeous. It is another one of your works of art that I shall keep and treasure, thank you. Judith xx