Thursday 17 November 2011

Feeling festive!

Good afternoon

I know, I know there's a strong feeling that Christmas should be kept in its box till December. However sometimes things happen and little bits start to escape from the box early - today was one of those days.

I've started spring cleaning - early for 2012 or late for 2011 - not quite sure. Anyhow whilst cleaning out the mug cupboard this favourite of mine made it to the front. So it had to be used and what better than with a warming mug of hot chocolate - ok so with added whipped cream and marshmallows. My defence, these were bought for the boys but of course needed testing first ;)

 Oh yes those Scrabble letters are still on the table waiting to be washed!

What started all this festive stuff was when MrVV got back from doing a big shop this morning. Not only did he have his normal list but also a special list too. He's asked for a Christmas cake this year and today was the day to buy all the ingredients. The actual cake shall get made on Saturday but the fruit needs to start soaking;

The recipe is one I cut out of a magazine over 20 years ago - hence its tatty now and still in the old scrapbook I use. One day I'll make something smarter. 

Once everything was weighed and measured and put into the huge mixing bowl there was the most wonderful smell in the air - pure Christmas.


The rest of the day has been spent taking it easy - I did far too much walking yesterday and am feeling it today. Never mind its a perfect excuse to get crafting. Sadly I can't show you any photos - everything I'm working on at the moment is for someone who might read my blog. I'll take photos and then share them with you once all the pressies have been safely delivered and opened.

As well as stitching, crocheting and knitted today, I've been reading. The festive reading pile grew this morning - MrVV treated me to the new Country Living magazine - I'd bought the Ideal Home last week. I love their calendar - it fits the space in my kitchen perfectly!!

Both are stuffed full of lovely festive ideas and pictures. Its enough to make you want to hunt out the carol CD and perhaps sneak a decoration or two up.

I won't but the temptation is there!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx



21 comments:

Jackie said...

Ooh that hot chocolate looks sooooo delicious! Your post has made me feel all Christmassy now! x

MelMel said...

Love hot choccie!

Lovely cup!

I'm reading last years Christmas mags!

I'm making my own cards this year, from A4 paper!
Blog post to follow!

Melx

Miss Magpie said...

Glad I'm not alone in the tatty old bits of paper stuck in a folder = recipe book! I too plan to one day transfer them all into a proper journal!

Deborah said...

Oooh sounds like you've had a good day :) love these magazines.

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

LaaLaa said...

I can't wait to see the finished cake. Taht hot choccie looks yumsome! x

Serenata said...

I think I am looking on mine as early spring cleaning for next year as it is probably going to take me that long!

Good girl, Christmas cake on the go, yummy!

Claire said...

Do you have Christmas cake and Wenslydale cheese? it's a must. mmmmm

Amanda said...

I was reading my Christmas back issues, then a robin was in the garden setting the scene. You're right, it sure makes you want to get up that loft and have a rummage.

Pene said...

Am actually sat here drinking my hot choc (40 cal) as I type, unfortunatley no marshmallows or cream for me but it's still yummy!!Have just finished my christmas pressie shopping so feeling good, now all I have to do is wrap them all!!
No christmas cake for us this year mainly due to no visitors and me and G not that keen on it but have to say all your fruit and nuts look yummy so maybe i'll make a last minute one just in case?
Take care hun nice to see you getting off your butt and doing something after all this time lol
Big Hugs Always
Pene x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oooh those mags look good! I wonder if I will be able to find them for sale here soon. I often wonder how they manage to come up with 900 new ideas for Christmas every year! I'm sure they must all be repeated - surely. Ours always looks the same. Enjoy reading them and sipping your hot chocolate.

bellaboo said...

You are getting into the Xmas spirit...I haven't even started yet!
I better buy those mags to get me in the mood. :0)

Lisa said...

Oh how are you going to decorate the cake? Bet it smells lovely in your house!
Enjoy the mags. I was a bit disappointed by the CL one, far too many adverts and that sort of thing.
Love the angel mug.
Lisa x

two bones and a bagle said...

There seems to be a lot of 'spring' cleaning going off in blog land today - I too have completely cleaned one very messy room in my house and now it looks lovely and we all feel rejuvenated. Well actually I am knackered but good knackered. Night.

**Anne** said...

That hot chocolate certainly looks "yum, yum" to me. And I can smell the ingredients for your cake too. Happy crafting and reading those magazines.
Anne xx

Pomona said...

You could always join the Christmas Challenge - we have a special blog for secret presents! Nothing like a nice hot chocolate to warm the cockles of your heart!

Pomona x

Aunty Bee said...

Thank you for the sneak peek at the Ideal Home and Country Living. I bought mine this week but they were last months, but I now know what I can look forward too. Years ago it took 6 months by boat, for English magazines to get here, so mustn't grumble, the hot chocolate looked delish.

Unknown said...

Looks like a lovely day. Iv got my list to go shopping today and make my cake to i really must get going with it all time is flying by. Enjoy your mags, dee xx

Scarlett said...

Sounds like a perfect day! I too am enjoying all the festive home magazines - my home however will never look as glam as the ones featured but i can dream ;o) Scarlett x

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

I love Christmas cake, don't understand people who claim not to like it! Mine is baked now, but have to do the marzipan this weekend. (I'm also using some ancient piece of paper from a disintegrated cookbook which my gran passed on to me, goodness knows how old it is!). Christmas issues of magazines are a real guilty pleasure of mine, something very comforting about settling in on a cosy sofa with a festive glossy.

Jemima said...

I have just begun the Christmas Campaign, as today is Stir Up Sunday :) but not feeling festive at all. However I can always make room for a hot chocolate with marshmallows in my life!

BadPenny said...

I love those special mugs in the cupboard !

Cake mix looks super. I've never made a Christmas cake but I have made puddings.

I'm doing a megga " Spring clean " Long overdue & with friends staying here while we are away, I want it nice for them. Even the Dog & the oven are getting an overhaul!!!