Foodie makes and pretty parcels :)

Good morning

How was your weekend? I hope you weren't affected by the fog too much? We were lucky here - what fog we might have had overnight disappeared quite quickly leaving both Saturday and Sunday bright, sunny and a tiny bit chilly.

Now where did I leave things? Oh yes baking time. There was plenty of left over fruit from the Christmas cake, so Friday morning I spent more time in the kitchen baking and making;

Currant buns with cherries on top for my boys for after school

Then using a recipe I found on a blog last week - just can't remember whose! I made some fruit chutney - I tweaked the recipe to use what I'd got and trust me it smells & tastes delicious;

Some for us and some for pressies for family & friends :)

Saturday was CCM-day - Christmas Cake Making day. I started early as I knew from past experience the baking time is nowhere  near the 3 hours the recipe claims - I think it was almost 4 1/2 by the time it was done - perhaps I was being cautious this year - even remembering to wrap the tin in brown paper;

It made the house smell very festive and most importantly it made it out of the tin in one piece!

Its now wrapped up and shut away only being allowed out for a dosing with brandy each week. There's just the matter of the battle with marzipan and icing to come - oh and I need to find some suitable decorations for the top - I'd like subtle but knowing me it will end up being OTT!

The rest of the weekend passed in a blur of parties - one for a S&B group friends 70th on Saturday night. It was a lovely evening and I think a total surprise to her. Just wish I could have got up and danced to the rock-n-roll singer that was providing the entertainment for the evening.

Yesterday afternoon saw my sisters and other assorted relatives assemble at my Grandma's house to help her celebrate her 86th birthday. Lots of loud mad games involving cushions were played and lots of food was eaten and a good time had by all :)

That would normally be enough for a blog post but there was a thud on the doormat a little while ago. A parcel for me from Ali @ Magic Beans. I'd won her little giveaway the other week. Here's what was in my parcel;

 Sweeties and something lovely hidden in that envelope;

 This gorgeous necklace made by Ali :) Its so pretty and fits perfectly.

If you'd like to see more her work then she's a fab website too - www.mulberrydog.co.uk

Right I must dash - I've a Christmas Charity Shop parcel to wrap - hoping I can get a lift into town tomorrow to post it AND I can collect the parcel I missed the postman try to deliver this morning at the same time!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx