Ho ho ho...here we go round again! Countdown to Christmas 2025, thread 1

[NoWordForFluffy]

365

Evening!

I'm tired after today, but the buffet was a success. Tomorrow it's dinner!

Everyone seems to love their gifts, which is always good. 😊 Bed soon as it's all go again from the morning!

140

Days rattle on quickly after 200 dont they!

We have pears this year too, a bumper crop - last year we had barely any so i need to decide what I'm doing with them, DM plum tree felled in the wind earlier in the summer and their garden is wasp central - not ideal as DF is big time allergic

DD has suddenly started saying father christmas is bringing her a frozen pedal bike - so I guess that is what we are on the hunt for now!

Just picked the first blackberries of this year. Autumn is definitely on the way. BlackBerry and Apple jelly tomorrow.
Also, there are some Christmas decorations in Costco amongst all the Halloween stuff.

I made some cherry plum jelly last week. It was really tangy so I think it should go well with roasted meats over Christmas. 🍗

Still haven’t got round to my chilli jam as my attention has been diverted to marmalade. Has anyone got any tried and tested recipes for that?

Its been like 36 degrees here in France and my DH can’t quite believe I’m talking about Christmas. 😂

139

Won't be long til we're at 100 (and @FireflyGirl's DH's birthday!). You're right, @HairsprayBabe, it super-rattles along from 200!

Wait till the kids are back at school and Strictly 💃 starts, then it's got a rocket up it!

I've never made marmalade. I saw some recipes on a thread I'm on. If I remember it, I'll signpost it!

I've never made marmalade either but I only like the peel-free ones ( I buy the Wilkins one - used to be Tiptree , the jars are very recognisable )

This year I plan to roast some of the tomatoes if I get a glut of them , I'm picking about 3-4 a day at the moment but there are loads on the vines . I only bought three plants .

So , now into the hundred and thirties

70isaLimitNotaTarget; If you want to make peel-free marmalade, tie the peels up in muslin and simmer them in the juice; then remove them at the end. That way you get the flavour and pectin, without the bits.

Greetings from France!!

It's very hot and I'm living on rosè, cheese and baguettes so what's not to love. There are also TWO washing machines in the villa so we'll be coming home with suitcases full of clean clothes. Go me.

I've got frozen cranberries in freezer at home ready for cranberry sauce or jam. I also thought the Nigella chilli jam a bugger to set so I'll try yours Fluffy.

It popped into my head yesterday that I'll need to think about getting the Christmas cake made when we get back. Can't mention that to the family or they'll drown me.

Magnoliasunrise; My Christmas cake is a sugar-free recipe; so doesn't require making until the last minute.

Tx - I did similar with lemon curd . First time I made it with grated rind . Urgh all the bits , I had to strain through a fine sieve .
Next time I used a peeler to get strips of the lemon rind . Still get the flavour but easier to remove rind and seeds .
I've got some small muslin cloths I could use for marmalade

I've got brambles in the garden which I'll ;eave for birds and wildlife providing they promise not to pooh on my washing ..........

I've just adopted a rescue spaniel, and have discovered on our walks that she loves blackberries!

I've made marmalade before - took forever to get to set point I think I used a good food recipe not sure I would recommend it!

70, my lemon curd recipe says to sieve it to remove the rind. Would be a bit gritty otherwise!

I'm not a fan of bits in stuff in the main. 🤢

I'm afraid my only foray into jam making was pretty disastrous...
But I made some lovely candied peel.

Hi from Belgium. The weather has been nice, 22-25° but with a breeze that has made it manageable (and mozzie free).

First holiday abroad as a parent and it's hard. It's been lovely and relaxing (we're in the countryside) but I don't think I realised how 'on' I would be the whole time.

Anyway, nothing Christmas related happening here except a visit to a Christmas shop and the obligatory bauble purchase - will start properly in September (although that's also when I'm returning to work so not sure how well I'm going to do again this year)

138

Enjoy France Magnolia and Belgium Meeces

Darkest Essex is cool but dry which is nice as I have washing to go out and I've asked DS to clear the weeds at the bottom of the garden.

I've never watched "Strictly" but I love how it is The Official Start of Christmas Countdown
When my DS was younger it was "Merlin" then "Dr Who" ( back when Dr Who was worth watching . ) that heralded the countdown.

I'm going to make a crumble today 🥧

What type ?

I do apples (Bramley) nice and sharp with a crumble made 50/50 flour and porridge oats , some brown sugar and cinnamon.

Ice cream or custard .
Delicious

@70isaLimitNotaTarget
I use braeburn apples. Its a Raymond blanc recipe.
I add cinnamon too.
The crumble is very buttery.
I'd like to add blackberries, but we haven't been picking yet

Thanks 70. Was starting to get a bit sad about holiday coming to end but talk of crumbles and Strictly has cheered me up!!

Ps Enjoy Belgium Meeces - I always found that wine helped a lot when on holiday with the kids when they were very small.

Apple crumble went down well 🥧

137

If I'm organised I make the apple filling and the crumble layer then freeze them separately to assemble'n'cook when needed....

Did a quick tidy and sort out in the small bedroom (aka "everything just gets put here" room)

Now making a focaccia bread - it might be ok , might not !

I'm at the Utilita Bowl waiting for the cricket to start. Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix

I'm going to try and do more baking this year.
I have fond memories of spending boxing day mornings making scones, crumble and cake for my boxing day get together whilst listening to radio 2 😀

Afternoon!

It's a lovely day here. We had a lie in this morning, then went out as a family on the dog walk. FluffyDog has a long line and had a very sniffy time in the woods. He had a great time!

Enjoy the cricket, @GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick! 🏏

I need to clean now. I've been rather slack recently. Not helpful!