Friday 27 November 2020

Christmas Prep.

I have no idea regarding how Christmas family celebrations are going to happen this year. Currently in Ontario, only two households will be allowed to combine over the Christmas holidays. And people who live alone (like me) can visit one other family... so who do I visit? It's all such a rotten mess. 

All the usual End Of Year parties, dinners, lunches, get-togethers aren't happening. And I really don't want to spend a lot of time... or actually ANY time at all... doing Christmas shopping in person.

However, there are some Christmas preparations that have to happen regardless. I've done some on line shopping for toys (well, mostly LEGO!) for the grandies, and sorted out a major wrong delivery address for a parcel. I haven't put up a tree yet, but I did get the lights out of the basement for the tree outside. Weather should be good tomorrow so I'll put the lights up.

And of course, no Christmas is complete without cake.... if we can't visit, then I can happily eat this myself. It smells so good coming out of the oven. A dousing with some rum or sherry and then some almond marzipan icing. 

And it's time to make the 2020 linocut cards and get them to the Post Office. 


31 comments:

  1. I am in full cake making mode here too. For a lot of years now I have made them for family and friends. The first batch I made last weekend, then put the fruit to soak in booze for the next lot - which I hope to make today. Then another batch and shortbread and gluten free brownies to make and the baking bit of my Christmas prep is done.
    Shopping? Bleah.
    I love your cards.

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    1. I rarely bake as the only person who is here to eat the results is ME! However I make an exception for Christmas cake.

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  2. I wish I could get the spirit like you have! I have to do something soon!

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  3. The cake looks wonderful. And your cards. What a treat for your friends to get actual artwork cards.

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    1. I love making the cards and people seem to like receiving them.

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  4. I am not sure about the cake, but the cards look good. :)

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    1. Don't criticise the cake before you've tried it!

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  5. Hello!
    The cake looks delicious and your colorful cards are pretty.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. I'm looking forward to some cake with my cuppa tea!

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  6. Your baking looks really delicious. Christmas will no doubt be different for most this year, but let's all hope that by following the sound advice of infectious disease specialists we will be able to get back to normal sometime next year. Stay safe! Stay sane!

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    1. Thanks for the compliment on the baking, I hope it tastes good too! Yes Christmas is different this year, but we will all get through this by being careful and following the recommendations.

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  7. The holiday season this year is going to be different from the past, but to think of what is the most important, can’t be helped. Christmas is not a holiday in my country, but I like Christmassy feel. Your Christmas cake looks delicious; I can feel the aroma right from the oven. Your linocut cards are lovely.

    Yoko

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    1. I wish I could send you a big slice of my Christmas cake, Yoko!

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you, the cards are fun to design and to make! A new design every year. My son frames them!

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  9. I have my mom's recipe for dark Christmas cake but cannot find all the ingredients here in Zhovti Vody. I may have to invent something. I love fruitcake.

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    1. Me too, my mum made super fruit cake. This one has raisins, currants, cherries, cranberries, mixed peel, sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, some cinnamon, ginger, cloves, a pound of butter, 9 eggs.... etc etc

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  10. It certainly will be different this year Shammi. Right now we aren't even sure if our son and family will be able to come over from Sydney. Our WA borders have been closed for several months, not sure if they'll open this year. As disappointing as that would be it's just a blip in time, there's always Easter 😉

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    1. I hope your restrictions will be lifted for Christmas so you can be with family. But you are right... it's just a blip. And we have Facetime, and Zoom, and telephones.

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  11. Your cake looks absolutely mouth-watering! And it must be an old recipe. My mom's Christmas cakes called for baking with parchment paper (or brown paper) lining the pans. Oh, I miss those yummy cakes. Mine aren't nearly as nice as my mom's.

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    1. These cakes are baked in a set of three really old metal cake tins, lined in wax paper (known as greaseproof paper in England where I grew up). Not really an old recipe.... kind of adapted between 2 recipes.

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  12. Your cards look very nice and festive, I like them. The cake looks good too, enjoy!

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  13. Wow Shammie, your cards are so lovely.
    Christmas will definitely be different this year for us too.
    Not the usual traditions but soem baking will happen here too. That cake looks divine.
    Sue

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    1. Better get the cards in the mail soon. And get some rum into the cake.

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  14. The cards do look good!

    As I'm not fond of Christmas, it becomes a moot point to me. I'll be spending the day quietly regardless.

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    1. Thanks! Yes I agree, Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many people. I will probably be on my own this year, thanks to Mr. Covid.

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  15. What pretty cards and I could almost smell your cake as it sat there looking so yummy :)

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  16. It's wonderful that you are making your own linocut cards ... what a delight for the recipient.
    The cake looks delicious. I googled the English Christmas cake and found a fantastic recipe ... I think I'll try the recipe and have to start soon. I love trying new things.
    Greetings to you
    Good Advent

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  17. Um-m-m, those cakes look so good! I'm not baking this year lest I eat too much of the tasties. My decorations will be limited primarily to my miniature tree with lights and ornaments and battery-lit candles in my window facing the front of the house for all passersby to enjoy. I'm not writing a Christmas letter this year again and only a few still living to send a more traditional card with a personal note -- the consequence of aging.

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