When do we ponce?

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

It can't just be me pinning ideas for Christmas greenery baskets for the front porch? No? I'm alone?

I can't remember how early the poncetastic thread starts!

Wow I love the layered gingerbread bell!

Haven't managed much poncing with DCs underfoot. I hate the idea of them going back to school but almost equally anxious to get poncing

The fireplace is fantastic!
I try to keep all glass jars through the year (foiled by dh who keeps throwing them away to "tidy up"). Standard jam jar size, and most useful for presents are the smaller size that apple sauce, mustard etc comes in. You can then give a variety of smaller jars for presents.
For home use, I am happy to reuse the lids too. If giving away, I bulk buy jam jar lids on their own and use these with the recycled jars.
Have quite a few nice preserving jars with the rubber seals and some Kilner jars with 2 part lids - but tend to keep theses or just give to mum/sister who will return them.
New jars are extortionate!
There have been discussions here before of buying lots of cheapest value/basic brand jam/pasta sauce/curry sauce etc and emptying out to use washed jars.
You could also use the cellophane lids with elastic band, poss with festive fabric cover too. I think in this case, though, you have to have the waxed greasproof circle directly on top of the preserved food to make a seal.

Thank you sjd84, I'm doing cherry liqueur as the people I'm giving it to aren't very adventurous, but I'll probably make some arancello for myself!

Love the fire @elQuintoConyo! Post pics of those felt decorations!

@NextInLine my gran says that small jars are the best for jam making.

I am really looking forwards to a good ponce!

have started with chutneys and pickles already!

Thanks for the jar advice everyone, I think I'll have to use the wax discs or grease proof paper, although I have seen a good YouTube tutorial on how to seal the pop button jars.
When are blackberries ready to pick? It's usually about now isn't it? I haven't been blackberry picking since I was a child with my grandfather!
I think I'll get the kids to do the foraging

You should be able to find ripe blackberries now. Last weekend I made a batch of bramble liqueur, it had taken about a week of dog walks to gather enough but in the last 2 days I've gathered almost a kilo! Get the kids onto it, I'm covered in nettle stings!

Hiya, can I join in? Have followed this thread for a few years but never posted. I've started on my blackberry vodka this week and will be making Sloe Gin again but they're not normally ready till October.
Love the ideas for decorating fireplaces, we have a logburner, large wooden mantle and a ton of Holly and ivy in the garden..... So I'm sorted

Welcome @leesmum sounds like you're totally ready for a poncetastic Christmas!

Here is my hamper list for this year:

Honey Comb
Yoghurt Cranberries
Christmas Spice Liqueur
Cranberry and Tangerine Vodka
Cranberry Gin
Vanilla Vodka
Toffee Vodka
Ginger Vodka
Chilli and Seed Crackers
Lemon and Thyme Crackers
Shortbread
Truffles
Apricot Almond White Buttons
Cranberry Pistachio Milk Buttons
Ginger Macadamia Dark Buttons
Coffee Fudge
Smokey Spiced Mixed Nuts
Mexican Cacao Spiced Nuts
Nut Brittle
Layered Peppermint Bark
Vanilla Fudge
Chilli Jelly
Yellow pepper and Ginger jelly
Plum Chutney
Winter Fruit Spice Jelly
Chai Tea Jelly
Cauliflower pickle
Celery Pickle
Radish Pickle
Chilli Pickle
Herb rub
Curry Spice Mix
BBQ Spice Rub

Wow Hairspray that looks amazing!!! Can you please post your recipe for Plum Chutney. I'm making one this weekend but it's a recipe I haven't tried before.

I've already wrapped some of dds' gifts in Cox and Cox wrapping paper with matching ribbon. Never to early to ponce.

I've actually done it early so the little buggers can't see what they're getting while doing the inevitable poking around looking.

TealStar please tell me you bought that wrapping paper in the sale - it's lovely but sooooooo pricey!!!

Oh yes absolutely Jen. In the January sale. My Christmas poncing starts in January...

Although I'm seriously covering the marble wrap and shiny copper stuff this year. Dd1 would swoon over that.

*Coveting

1kg plum halved, stoned and finely chopped
3 onions chopped
100g dried cranberries
1 tsp chilli flakes
400ml red wine vinegar
500g light muscovado sugar
zest of an orange
100ml port or red wine

In a little muslin pouch
1 cinnamon stick
5 cloves
5 cardamom pods
bay leaf
allspice berries

Put all the ingredients, except the sugar, into a large pan and stir well. Bring slowly to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 mins, until the plums are tender.

Stir in the sugar plus 2 tsp salt and keep stirring until it has dissolved. Boil the chutney for 20-30 mins, uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent it catching on the bottom, until it is thick and pulpy.

hoik the muslin bag out pot into sterilised jars , seal, label and store for at least 4 weeks before eating. Will keep for up to 12 months in a cool dark place.

Excellent - thanks Hairspray.

Hairspray hello, please can I have your cranberry and tangerine vodka recipe please?
Thought I recognized your name from the monthly weight loss threads 👍

I'm thinking of making some gin this year.

Bargain-loving poncers might like to know that Aldi will be be doing a baking special from this Sunday with useful things like cheap kilner jars and chocolate moulds.

Thanks Broomstick do you know if the Aldi stuff is online or is it only instore?

Cranberry tangerine vodka, quantities vary depending on how much you want to make but for a 750cl bottle of vodka
2 tangerines chop roughly including peel
1/2 a pack of Frozen cranberries defrost and mash with potato masher
Vodka
4-6 tbsp sugar to taste
A jar with a wide neck other wise you can't get the fruit out again.

Warm the vodka gently on the hob for better infustion, put the chopped tangerines and mashed cranberries into the jar with the sugar. Pour the vodka over and leave to infuse for upto 6 months. Strain and bottle up.

To speed up the infusion you can use the dishwasher method!

Available online:
www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/dates/2017-08-27?sort=popular&q=%3Apopular%3AtransactionalStatus%3Atransactional%3AtransactionalStatus%3Anontransactional%3AEvent%3ABaking&page=0

Thanks!

Hairspray, that list is amazing. The cranberry tangerine vodka sounds lovely; will try this as a nice contrast to my other more autumnal liqueurs.
Apple and blackberry butter done which is a bit firmer than expected, but tastes fab - so I'll call it a jelly as it's seedless.