Milly

Milly is such a scamp but adorable at the same time...it's been fun having her to stay with us for her holidays (her owners have been away too!).  As you can no doubt tell from her watchful gaze, she remains alert at all times for sightings of cats or squirrels.

Simple fruit soda bread

This is the perfect antidote to the rich food of Christmas.
It also reminds me of my childhood
1lb plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon of sugar
Half pint to a pint of whole milk mixed with a small tub of plain yoghurt
A handful of dried fruit (e.g. raisins, currants, sultanas etc.)

Proportions in this are quite loose, as you can see.

Sieve the flour and bicarb into a large bowl. Add the sugar and fruit. Mix in the milk mixture and knead (prolonged kneading not necessary). Form into a round.

Bake in the middle of a moderate-hot oven for about 40 minutes. Knock  on the base  - it should sound hollow.

Allow to cool on a wire tray.
This must really be eaten while fresh (or toasted) with lashings of butter!

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

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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!

Very cosy

Old jumpers are incredibly useful for up-cycling.  Someone (not me) put hours of work into this Shetland knit so I think it deserves a new life.  Blanket stitch round the edge, a few felt flowers and ta da...tea cosy!

Bulbs

A cheap and cheerful way to bring some scent and colour into the house (make great presents too) is to plant some hyacinth/narcissi bulbs in a bowl (mine came from the charity shop and only cost a pound or so). Keep in a dark place until they have grown and are ready to flower. Just don't forget all about them!