Fellatio's thread for a PONCETASTIC Xmas - PART 2!!!

[BudaisintheZONE]

Well we seem to have filled up the last one so I started a new one. Hope that is ok with everyone!

Jacaqueen - I finally remembered to have a look at my Angel Chime. It is small - about 10 inches tall. Very light metal. Easy to put together. Looks ok. Word of warning - was searching for who it was who asked me and came across a post from someone whose parents had one and it burnt their table! So they get v. hot.

I am Smuggy McSmug today as we are snowed in ( 16 inches - in Kent, ffs! )and have made two batches of almondy mince pies for the freezer plus 2 trays of puff pastry canapes for pre Xmas party, also frozen. Have written out nearly all the Christmas cards and wrapped about a fifth of the pressies. DS(7) has done the tags. DD (4) made patterns and shapes with the leftover pastry. We've had some games of snakes and ladders, chess, draughts and some puzzles.

DH pacing about brandishing power tools muttering about bloody trains this country is rubbish loads to do at work blahblah.

No post for the last two days which means the advent calendars my mum posted for the DC haven't arrived, but they have an advent stocking anyway and a picture advent calendar between them so are hardly hard done by. Amazon is racking up lots of my business as I panic I won't get to the shops. Neighbours have been great, kids playing in the snow together, sharing provisions etc as no delivery vans getting through/ noone getting out. Local farmer sent his tractor snowploughs out this am up our road but its still treacherous.View from our living room is stunning with all the snow. Very glad the heating is working and we are inside though.......

Sue tree decorating without suitable refreshments would get you banned from the thread surely? It is a necessary part of the experience

taffata you have been busy! Almondy mince pies sound lovely - I should so have married a dh who could eat nuts

sybil, YY, that's what I say. Is it poncier if I chill it in the snow ?
Taffata, you are lucky

taffetaz - sounds like a lovely day!

Tell me more about the puff pastry canapes?? Having some people around for dinner on 18th and looking for ideas.

It snowed here all morning but everything keeps running (it might not if we had 16 inches!) and I had one of THOSE days. There are rumours that the school might close tomorrow which would be lovely in some ways but I bet it won't. If it doesn't I am planning on putting on Xmas music and wrapping presents and writing cards and making my second cake. Am using Nigella's recipe this time for a big one to cut into 4. She says make at least 3 weeks in advance so I should be just about ok. May also make mince pies to freeze. If DS is off school will cancel the present wrapping and do some other stuff that he can help with I think.

SuePurplyBits - yes to fizz!!

Did you just call me purplybits . how did you know?

Puff pastry canapes are from Delia's Happy Christmas book.

Roll out block of all butter puff. Use 4.5cm ( dontcha love Delia? )crinkly cutters and cut out as many circles as you can muster, rerolling without the DC nicking half of it for "craft" projects etc. Prick with a fork a few times. On half, put a blob of Dijon, spread it around a bit, then a slice of a cherry tomato and then a sprig of thyme dipped in olive oil. Season well. The other half sprinkle some grated parmesan right to the edges, then a little pancetta and a some sage leaf dipped in olive oil then season. Hot oven 200c top shelf for 18 mins. Cool on wire rack then freeze, can reheat from frozen. There is also a recipe for a goats cheese red onion and olive one but don't have the ingreds in for that.

Had a massive job locating the sage and thyme under all the bleedin snow as it was....

Sue - tis forbidden in this house to dress tree without drink. Hot choc for DC , mulled wine for me. This year I think I may really say stuff it all, I am old and I don't care what anyone thinks and have a blardy Amaretto.

just read my post, I am not clear at all unlike St Delia

when I say half I mean half the number of circles, not half pof each circle, so you wouldn't get a canape that was half tomato half pancetta iyswim. that would be daft.

Gosh Sue you must be cold

. Well, I have a fabulous bosom so it's dark down there in the shade. Maybe that lends a purplish hue.

I made a caramalised onin and goats cheese canape thing last year, I will dig out the destructions.

yes please to your goats cheese recipe sounds yum

I badly want goats cheese now.

LOL Sue. I am sorry.

It's been one of those days. I need a drink! Caremelsed onion thingie sounds delish too. I love goats cheese. Bought some today in fact!

taffeta - thanks for recipes/instructions. Sounds nice and easy! May give them a try.

Changed to my Xmas name!

Taff- you forgot to specify that each cherry tom should be sliced into 4. (I'd slice my fingers if I even attempted such a feat)

Dd put tree up today (I shall titivate it when she's asleep )

This should maybe go in codes, but as she is one of High Priestesses of Ponce I'll put it here....Sarah Raven site free delivery till Sunday. I need nothing. I shall end up buying everything.

Will have to look at book now.
Love the Christmas name Buda

Snow-chilled fizz and carols in the Purbly household tonight. Excellent

Sarah Raven has a website?? I have resisted buying the book. May have a look at the website. Bet the postage to here would be crazy though. But I can plan for next year!

Oh Sarah. I love Sarah. Well, I love her taste anyway. And her recipes.

I want these. I have no need for them, nowhere really to put them, but I would like to sip on my Amaretto, listening to my Christmas jazz whilst pondering what to fill them with.

Its not going to happen. I bought the Maroq fairy lights that have now gone from the website two weeks ago and DH spluttered and huffed and puffed for a long time when I left the invoice out.

Although all that said I am a bit of a tightwad and always check her products aren't available elsewhere cheaper, which they very often are. I got the Maroq lights on Amazon marketplace for £6 less.

Has anyone any ideas on how I could use red dogwood branches in my house. My dad has loads growing and the branches are really vivid red I want to do something christmassy with them. Inspiration please!

Right I have finished stupid essay (and have spent far too much time lurking in AIBU) and can now get on with being poncetastic. I have wrapped six presents this evening with lots of coordinating curly ribbon and started on my homemade crackers. Unfortunately the packet of crackers that I thought were gold to fit in with my gold and purple colour scheme are in fact half gold and half RED! Aaargh!!

4plusone, do they bend? they'd be ideal for twiggy stars. Just make four bends at equal distances (to give yourself 5 bits but don't break) and bend into a star. Tie with raffia or wire.
Or cut bunches of them into short lengths and layer round and round to make a wreath?Kind of a bushy look?

4plusone - I put a load of greenery from the garden in a big matt silver container I have and hang little matt red baubles off it. I think some stems of dogwood in it would look good too with some little matt green or silver baubles. Thanks for the idea!

Yes, Sarah Raven can definitely be found cheaper elsewhere, but I love the zen-like tranquility f browsing, then I gird my loins and go and find it on ebay...ditto Not on the High Street, have been picking up the snowflakey tealight thingies (£8.50 NoTHS) fr 99p on ebay.

Bugger, letter between N and P nt wrking.

Feel like text messager.

Well Ive sent off for a green Christmas garland thingy and a holly one too - that together with some red and white silk gerberas is the staircase done...

Have spent last hour or so making another Christmas cake while listening to Christmas music. Trying to decide what to do next.

I saw some fab aprons on NoTHS that would be perfect for some friends and was just about to order them. Wonder if I could get them cheaper elsewhere?

A friend has also offered to bring back a few things from UK for me so will order a Winter candle from The White Company.

taffeta - your silver container with greenery in sounds lovely. Our new house in UK has a holly tree. Am so excited. DH was planning a few alterations to the driveway and gates and was planning to put an extra gate in a very logical place till I pointed out that that is where the holly tree is so no way is that happening. He was a bit . Back to the drawing board dear!

Hello poncetastic ladies! Could any of you give me some advice on an idea I have please? (as I am not very Christmas-style-savvy)...

We have a fake (gasp!) woodburner in our sitting room. I know that is probably a hideous style 'sin', but it came with the house and actually looks real, so it didn't seem worth the expense and hassle of changing it or removing it. Anyway, I always string the stockings along the front of the fireplace and put lots of greenery on the mantlepiece, etc. But this year I'm also thinking of getting lots of little logs and stacking them round my fake fire - is that really chavvy or will it look nice?

Be honest with me!!

I like the little logs idea! And dont be ashamed of your fake woodburner.

We have a cuckoo clock. And its looooovely...