Poncetastic 2017

[Annwithnoe]

Since there doesn't seem to be a poncetastic thread, and to avoid confusion with thread titles, would I be out of order to start this one?

First order of business, a toast to our dearly missed Fellatio Nelson, wherever she may be and a quote from her original thread:

^
"OK, first of all, I know it's still September by we need to start this thread now because as you all know, having a truly Poncetastic Christmas involves precision planning, strategy, bravery, heroics, and frequently martyrdom. A bit like the war in Afghanistan, only with nicer food and sparkly shoes.

So, if you, like me, actually want to make the next twelve weeks of your life a misery by hand-crafting your cards, finding a huge bucket for Nigella's turkey in brine, pickling pears, shrivelling oranges in a low oven for those rustic au naturel decorations, dragging half a holly bush back from the woods, and just generally being a smug annoying jobsworth ponce, join me on this thread.

Feel free to post photos of previous tree-trimming, cake icing or table centrepiece triumphs, discuss this year's bauble colour themes, debate the merits of Delia versus Gordon, road-test a selection of canapes and cocktails, (all in the line of duty) and link to lovely inspirational photos/craft ideas for a truly Poncetastic Christmas.

Warning: If your idea of a good Christmas involves Pizza, ITV, gravy granules or anything with 'Aunt Bessies' on the packet, this is not the thread for you".

^

Mrs.Pear The recipe is my own (based on a gingerbread \parkin one). I don't do links;

2 cups of any flour ( I use a mix of Spelt and rye). I should've added large teaspoon of baking powder and tsp. bicarb ( I forgot and that's why it was wet!! ).

This is an easy one pot recipe . I melt 3/4 to a whole cup cup of molasses\ and or maple syrup/normal syrup in a large heavy duty saucepan. Then 1\2 cup of whatever coking oil you use ( I use olive oil and sometimes almond , if I'm feeling wealthy!) Put in the ground spices you like, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon etc. The amount you like (i find I can't taste them if I put in too few). Mix very gently Keep this on the lowest heat you have it doesn't need to boil or simmer. Add 1/2 cup of almond butter or peanut butter and melt it too. If you fancy added nuts or ginger pieces add them now. melt and leave to almost cool. Then sieve in the flour and baking powder. Mix well If it's too dry add almond milk (but don't make it too wet!) Line a non stick baking tin I usually use a tart tin. Then bake at 180 for 20 mins and turn it down to 160 for another 30 mins or until its coming away from the sides but still a BIT soft in the middle. Cool in the tin. The flavour improves with keeping . Wrap in greaseproof paper. keep in a tin in a col cupboard but not the fridge.

I am based in Brum these days, German market runs from the 16th of November, but it is a bit dis-jointed this year due to roadworks etc.

More cards, did a quick tally and I didn't have enough yet!
Plus these will be nice for my non religious friends

Thank you *ppeatfruit that is one too try!

Lovely cards hairspray

No markets close to me

I ran out of gift tags earlier this week and had to go out for more.

I had thirty to start with. It's November. We don't put tags on the children's presents, as a rule.

[face palm]

Now this is poncey! i'm about to make almost (from scratch) some special hand/body cream for my mum and myself and possibly for my lovely new dil! I ordered violet essential oil from my herbalist and it makes gorgeous creams!

Ooh if you can get frankincense (£££ alas) then it's both very festive and excellent for aging skin - I'm assuming since your mother is old enough to have a GDIL she wouldn't be offended by the idea of "aging".

Oh no! Mrs Hathaway Me neither! I have had frankincense but have run out. I will see if my herbalist has some or I can order it! I love rose oil for anti ageing too. I bought some absolute recently it's lovely. Much cheaper than the real ess. oil stuff too.

It's lovely to talk to someone on here who knows about ess. oils!!

Ok so I made my Sloe Gin yesterday, so am now re-using my gin soaked Sloes to make Slider yes I'm sticking them in a bottle of scrumpy jack cider... I shall let you know in 4 weeks how successful it is

Hairspraybabe - I love those cards! Are the christmas trees done with pens??

I am finally starting to feel better today and wondering about doing something crafty if I have the energy. Not sure what yet!

Yes I wondered how you'd done those trees too hairspray babe. I love the pink one!

After much googling I've found the Cranberry Gin recipe. I've looked at the comments and basically I substituted the orange with clementine, which is why I couldn't find it! I'm afraid I forgot to copy who it was that originally posted it, but it's one that came from a Tesco mag many moons ago.

200g cranberries
1 orange
200g caster sugar
500ml gin

Prick the cranberries to release the juice (I use a darning needle) and put into a large sterilised kilner jar.
Peel thin strips of zest from the orange and add to the cranberries.
Mix together the gin and sugar until the sugar dissolves and pour over the cranberries and orange zest.
Store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks and shake every 2 days.
When you're ready, strain and put in bottles.

Put the tree up today- early I know, but everything looks so cosy and Christmassy now!

We're doing ours tomorrow, bear! 🎄🎄🎄

I'm waiting until the 6th for the tree as DS is already baffled why it's not Christmas yet, especially as we went to see the lights get turned on in town and some reindeers. He told me that Santa will be upset because we haven't made anything for him .

Adding to my poncey plans, I found a gingerbread house would in a charity shop yesterday so will probably make two- one out of actual gingerbread and one out of chocolate. 1.2 kg!! of chocolate that is.

I want to also bake some fancy breads for Christmas so will have to trial out a few. Coconut and cranberry and mildly sweet for breakfast etc and maybe walnut and fig for savoury stuff.

Walnut and fig bread and green walnut jam sounds like a winning combo in my head. Not sure in reality.

Gingerbread house mould.

We have always put up our tree on Xmas Eve, buy it a bit earlier leave it outside in a big bucket of rainwater ,it is a fresh one. Tried for 2 years to have one in a pot but I managed to kill them. At least with cut ones ,they're already on their way out! If you have fake ones it doesn't matter when they go up I suppose. But when the dcs are little they get too excited if it's very early IMO. The magic gets used up!

Also trialed out plain bread, but in my silicone moulds and it worked just fine so I'll be making some Christmas trees shaped ones etc.

Photo is obviously a flower, but that's what I had on hand.

Have had a fabulously poncetastic weekend.

Friday night was the PTA Christmas Fair. Although I spent most of the evening making cups of tea I did have a browse of the craft and cake stalls for ideas.

Then yesterday I went to a Food and Craft fair (can you spot the theme here?) and did a bit of shopping and a lot of browsing. Followed this up with a theatre trip to see A Christmas Carol.

Then today I have made my Christmas pudding and mincemeat. Both Delia recipes. My house smells amazing.

Am now cross stitching Christmas cards by the fire.

Oh and I won a properly poncey hamper in the PTA Christmas Fair - stollen, posh nougat, dark chocolate with raspberries, christmas pudding, posh crisps, crackers, mulled wine, fudge, salt and pepper grinders... it might not last until Christmas though!

sevenhillscrafts.co.uk/brands/altenew/sketched-evergreen.html

It is an altenew stamp, they are very handy!

Started my wrapping this weekend, not much left to buy now so will be focusing on poncing up my parcels!

Making my spiced nuts this week too.
Tree is going up Saturday.

Those silicone moulds don't look like they'd work, But they obviously do Cheshire do you have to oil them?

That hamper sounds worth winning Jemima Lucky you

I always spray all my moulds and make sure I get all the nooks and crannies IYKWIM. If the dough itself is sticky I also sprinkle a fine layer of flour over the oil, but I didn't need to this time.

I did keep the dough quite stiff by reducing the amount of water which helped.

Ds was heartbroken yesterday when we realised we have no way of plugging in our outdoor reindeer outside. So today, little Ds and I have cleared the hall to create this! I know it's not particularly artistic but I can't wait to see his face when we get in from school!!

Thanks Cheshire They LOOK as if they don't need oiling! But they obviously do! I think I'll stick with my normal baking trays that I line with greaseproof! A little fiddly but not too terrible .

TBH thenewaverage I'd be too worried about heavy rain ( and tripping the electrics) if I plugged in outside stuff . We're past the stage where our dcs care anyway! That looks sweet anyway!