Martin B Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 I couldn't resist sorry. I'm sure you wouldn't want to upset Liz now by turning away from the secret santa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 Of course not! I have PM'd her back. P.s your seeds were posted today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Thanks. I haven't posted yours yet. I will tomorrow! Go on MSN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 No problem! I thought you might be winding me up...Anyway he has volunteered to help me now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 I knew he would, he's too kind to say no! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 All this talk of Christmas in August. I'm bundled up on the sofa with joggers, thick socks a cardi and a quilt over me and I'm mostly too damned cold to get my hands out and type! There is no way I will spend good money putting the heating on but I may light a fire in a minute!!! Feels like Christmas already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 You have all inspired me on this thread I have bookmarked all the suggested web sites & will browse them later & make my shopping list. I especially like the petit four bath bombs & the home made boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocobo Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 i think im going to make some shortbread as presents as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I've got an excellent Shortbread recipe. I made it by accident as I had to use gluten free flour for my granddaughter. It keeps really well as well, so you could make it a week before Christmas and it would still be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocobo Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 that sounds lesley, does it use gluten free flour as one of my uncles can't have gluten? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 I use half Gluten Free and half Spelt as Lauren and I can both tolerate Spelt. It may work well with all Gluten Free flour - I'll try some tomorrow when Lauren is here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Oh yes please - would love to know how it turns out with gluten free flour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocobo Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 yeah i'd love to know because my uncle can't have any gluten at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 many thanks to xray lady who posted a mincemeat recipe on here last year. Nana's fatfree mincemeat! It was simmering away last night for an hour or so, and i have just finished putting the whole lot into jars. Here is one ready to give as a pressie - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Wow looks very professional....fab! If I would you I would give up the airline business and go into home made gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Thanks Chelsea! I would love to leave work, but i don't think i could live off the proceeds from gifts. Shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 That looks really good Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 (edited) Just a few jars of mincemeat - Here is the recipe Courtesy of xraylady! Nana's Fatless Mincemeat. 3/4 pint cider 1lb dark soft brown sugar put into large pan - heat gently until sugar dissolves. 4lb apples peel,core,chop. Add to pan. 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp cinnamon 1 lb currants 1 lb raisins 4oz glace cherries (chopped) 4oz blanched almonds (chopped) 4oz mixed peel (optional) Rind (grated) & juice of 1 lemon stir these into the pan. Bring sl..(obscured by stain) ..the boil stirring all the time. L..(obscured by stain)..heat, 1/2 cover with a lid & simmer 30 mins until mixture is a soft pulp. Remove from heat & leave to get COMPLETELY COLD. 1/4 pt brandy/rum/sherry Stir one of these in .. (obscured by stain).. wish. Put in clean dry jars. I will leave you to try & fill in the gaps - a little mystery adds to the flavour! (I had to convert the lot into US measures & make my own mixed spice and mixed peel so no complaining in the ranks about a few food encrusted gaps ) BTW I find I have to simmer for about an hour -but this could be because we are at high altitude - just keep going until you have a soft pulp. I also interpret the 1/4pt of spirits fairly generously (oh alright- very generously) Slosh in as much as you want, it can't hurt! I boil the jars to sterilise them & fill very full, excluding air bubbles. Then they keep FOREVER, well, at least 3 years! Edited September 2, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Thanks Christian - I think I think you've been very liberal with the alcohol - and not in the mincemeat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Me Lesley? I don't drink! Pure as the driven snow, I am! Right, the fudge kit arrived from QVC and the best before date is 24 Nov 2007! so that is going straight back as they were supposed to be made into Christmas pressies! The bath melt kit has been made! Not sure about how to wrap them. They look a little sad in the bags but i will try and make them look a bit nicer. Background of card and some cinnamon sticks needed i think! Jingle bells, jingle bells.............all together now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Yay ! My Big batch of SHea butter arrived whilst we were away at the weekend. I'm lucky it hadn't melted in our porch! So I'll be cooking up some nice bath treats soon. I've thought about wrapping my bath melts in some white muslin and tying with red gingham ribbon and mini christmas / cat bells. Jingle Jangle! If I could make some egg shaped, then I'd put some in egg boxes, but I'm not sure how I'd make egg shaped ones, maybe blow the eggs and drizzle in the hot melted mixture, allow to set, then peel away the egg shell? I don't know? Or maybe put a few in a dumpy jam jar and decorate with glass paint and a fabric round tied on with ribbon & a matching tag. What else can I do with Shea butter? I only know Dilly's bath melt recipe! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 im thinking of getting these to make cookies, putting them in cute boxes. http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=149 and also im thinking of making these! http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=62 im loving the kilner jared things you guys are making, sadly i dont have a Hob in my new house yet, no gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
