Raspberry & Almond Dessert

This was very easy and served with cream, was pretty nice

6oz self-raising flour
6oz ground almonds
Few drops of almond essence (optional)
3 eggs
8oz butter
8oz caster sugar
Raspberries
Icing sugar

I greased a cake tin and mixed all the above ingredients (apart from the last 2!). Baked in a moderate oven for about 40 minutes. I allowed to cool slightly, turned onto a plate. I put the raspberries (I'm sure you could use whatever fruit took your fancy) on top. Lastly, I dredged some icing sugar over the cake.

Curtains

Margaret has put some good instructions for making curtains in the book: A Homespun Year...well, if I can follow them, anyone can.

I also thought you might like a look the Christmas cactus which has been in this house for about 50 years. Now, this plant is pretty well neglected most of the time - poor thing, so it's doing very well by brightening our lives each December with these deep pink coloured flowers

.

Christmas arrivals

There are some nice things about living on a farm at Christmas - despite the ice, snow and lots of work. A bull calf, born on Christmas Day followed by one on Boxing Day definitely adds something to the festivities!