The Autumnal Christmas Chronicles Preamble - Thread 2 further ramblings

[HannahDefoesChristmasHamper]

Hope nobody minds me starting anew thread as old one nearly full

Will pop some links in 🍂🍁

Me too, and this one's definitely going on my list to make. DH loves an apple cake and he does so much for me, I like to say thank you by making him delightful treats. 🙂

I'm just back from the dentist and need two fillings. I've damaged my teeth from clenching / grinding in my sleep. Never had a filling in 26 years! Booked in for next Tuesday.

I made what I'm calling a 'Sunday dinner gratin' last night. Chicken, carrots and sprouts chopped up small. Added some nuggets of stuffing and chopped roast potatoes on top with a sprinkle of cheese. Rather delicious, and thankfully easy to eat.

@RainbowZebraWarrior - ooh Sunday Dinner Gratin!!! I was wondering what to do with some leftovers from roast chicken yesterday that sounds fab! Loving all the cooking and recipes and new ideas to try x

I just wanted to share this, as I felt it sits quite well with our little Autumnal ramblings (and leaning into Autumn and Winter) It's from Miranda Hart, who I love dearly. I'm also rather excited as I pre ordered her new book and it comes out on Thursday. (From Amazon this time, so hopefully it actually arrives shortly after the publication day) novel concept for WH Smith apparently

Apologies for my gushing. As you were...

What date does the book start from? I bought it last year but got it late. Looking forward to trying some of the recipes this year!

The book starts on 1st November. Last year,.I started the Christmas Chronicles thread in 23rd October in order to give everyone advance notice, prepare themselves etc.

It has quite a lengthy pre-1st Nov introduction, don't do as I tend to and pick it up at bedtime on 31st Oct, it needs longer than that so the thread starting on 23rd is perfect as a reminder.

Thank you! I can't remember where my copy is so I'll have a search this weekend.

Boo to fillings and grinding RZW. Have they discussed a mouthguard to wear overnight to help?

sending you this from my tree virtually.

Ooh, thank you my lovely! ❤️

I was squeezed in as a quick emergency appt this morning and meant to ask about mouth guards but forgot. I've ordered a cheapish pack of 4 from Amazon to do me in the meantime. I'll ask him next week what the plan is going forward.

I've put the remainder of the russets I bought from the Greengrocers in the fridge. Hopefully I shall be able to chomp on them later next week.

In the meantime, I've spotted this recipe and am going to give it a whirl. I'm not one for cooked fruit usually, but I'm drawn to anything comforting of late.

sallysbakingaddiction.com/buttery-caramel-apple-upside-down-cake/

Really enjoying everyone's posts!

I've just returned from a woody walk with the dog, and despite my current low mood and ruminations on feeling stuck/ helpless (Mirandas words so timely!) I couldn't help but feel glad of the warmth of the sun on my face, the sight of the leaves on the trees beginning to turn and the earthy damp scent of the woodland. So, in an attempt to keep the vibe going, I have thrown together a ginger loaf cake, which will be nice for the boys who are at home, full of cold! The house smells lovely!

Wishing everyone a lovely evening 🍁🍂🥮

@Wren77 hope your low mood lifts, sounds as if you’re doing all the right things to help yourself out of it - a lovely walk and baking a ginger loaf for your boys; don’t forget to have some yourself!

I’ve just read such a lovely description of autumn: ‘Autumn feels like you’re looking at the world through a stained glass window’. Isn’t that just perfect?

That's so lovely. And often how I feel at this time of year, as well as going back to work after the Christmas break (which I appreciate many people work through the Christmas period). Just feels as though these times bring possibilities. Strange really, but still lovely 😊

Some lovely life affirming happenings on this thread.

Thank you all so much.

I am going to try so many of the dishes this weekend.

But most of all, I love the idea of making lovely little corners and zones around the house. That will definitely be on my list.

Thanks to this thread I now have christmas pudding vodka steeping in a kitchen cupboard.

Suck a lot of lovely cooking going on. And lots of love to those with ongoing tooth issues.

I have managed to pass my sickness bug on to both DD's and dh now so not much cooking going on at all chez pisco. All we can manage is a bit of ginger tea at this point.

On the upside my lake land lights scented candle advent calendar arrived today (plus the moorland scented candle I ordered as an extra). All the candles are named after villages or locations in the Lakes, an area I absolutely love, second only to my native Derbyshire. It's come very early but smells lovely even in the packaging. So something to look forward to.

Thank you for starting this thread again. I've really enjoyed it in previous years.

I made a big jar of pickled onions at the weekend, they will be ready by Christmas.

Come on now...

Do tell?

They look AMAZING

Jealous of the Kingfisher sighting @Bimblesalong we used to have one locally we could reliably see most weeks over the winter but sadly it’s been gone a couple of years now

that Sunday roast gratin looks amazing @RainbowZebraWarrior and I will definitely be stealing it - it will be incredibly useful for Christmas leftovers!

my crochet hat is finished. The pompom is a bit mad but it fits beautifully and I am happy with it. Now to find the next project…

Thank you, I learned to make them from my Dad. Salt the onions overnight, rinse REALLY well (several changes of water and soak for 10 mins), then put them in a sterilised jar with half and half malt vinegar and distilled vinegar (there's 500mL of each in here, if you use smaller onions there are smaller gaps and less used) plus spices, I add a couple of dried red chillies, couple of cloves. some mustard seeds - that's the black specks, some coriander seeds whatever you've got and like. I go light on the cloves as I find they can be overpowering.

Also, once they are eaten, you can filter the vinegar through kitchen roll and a funnel to get it clear again and use it on your chips for the next year, or chutney, it tastes AMAZING.

Beautiful hat @Autumnspices you should have an Etsy page!

Morning all. Awful weather here today. I'm having a little hibernation day (well, until it's time for the school run, anyway)

@Autumnspices that hat is a proper Bobby dazzler!

@ExquisiteIyDecorated I also re purpose pickled onion vinegar.

Would you mind explaining the first step? I'd really like to make these. Do you just peel the onions and cover them in salt over night, or do you soak in salted water? Thanks in advance from a pickling novice!

Morning @RainbowZebraWarrior and everyone!

Miserable day here, too, so I shall be hibernating (was about to write marinating, which fits in well with the thread 😆) until my dentist appt this afternoon.

@Autumnspices Love the hat! Oh I wish I had the patience to learn.

@ExquisiteIyDecorated I've never done pickled onions before but they'd go perfectly with the sausage rolls/terrine/pâté lunch I'm planning on Boxing Day (there won't be any leftover bird as we're not doing one this year except maybe a duck but I doubt it'll yield leftovers!). Will definitely use the pickling juice as well.

@RainbowZebraWarrior what a good idea to make Sunday Roast gratin. I like to use every single bit of all foods we eat but I've never done it that way! I think DH will love it.