Anne here, hoping everyone has been enjoying their holidays, whether or not you celebrate particular days. 
I had a most enjoyable Christmas. I started the day joining a group of friends for an outdoor breakfast of crepes and fresh fruit (it being summer here) and yoghurt. I took along these strawberry santas as my contribution, and they were the perfect appetizer while the crepes were being cooked. They're just strawberries and whipped cream stiffened with a little icing sugar (powdered sugar in the US). They should have tiny chocolate eyes, but I had no suitable choc bits and I was in a hurry as the breakfast started at 8.30am.
Later I had a delicious roast dinner of lamb and baked vegetables, which we finished with fresh cherries and coffee and a sweet treat some call Christmas Crack — salt crackers, toffee, chocolate and nuts. The recipe is here (made with Matzoh crackers but I used saladas or saltines. I also top it with flaked, toasted almonds.) I often used to make it for my dad when he was alive, because he had a real sweet tooth and loved it. I still make it most Christmases, also Easter and whenever I want to make a sweet treat gift for someone. It's delicious and very more-ish.
It was only the next day I realized that for the first time in years, I hadn't had any Christmas pudding (aka plum pudding.) It's not something most Americans have at Christmas, I think, but it's still very popular here (and in the UK of course) and the Christmas Pud was a big part of my childhood. (if you want to read more about Christmas pudding here's a post I wrote on it some years ago.) I've always loved the taste, but even some of my cousins, who didn't, still ate it greedily, because Christmas pudding always contained money — silver money, and when money stopped being silver, we saved the old money and the lucky recipients "sold" it for current money. Some families use silver charms in the same way.
This year one of my friends gave me this — a Victorian-era style "pudding doll" which is a tiny ceramic doll that goes into a pudding as a lucky charm for whoever finds it in their serving. This particular one is "Frozen Charlotte" after a US story and song about a girl who underdressed for a sleigh-ride, wanting to show off her pretty dress. Readers, she froze to death on the ride. Sounds like a cautionary tale to me, rather than actual history — and I'm not sure why she should be lucky. Anyway, this cute little dolly is going into my pudding next year. Hope nobody breaks a tooth on her.
So what about you? Did you celebrate the holidays? What did you eat, and what kind of dessert did you have?
I was going to attempt those Santas, but there just wasn’t time to make everything in the end.
I grew up with December Christmas in full British style. I HATE pudding (not a fan of fruit cake in any form), but as with most children, I ate enough to find a coin or two! No pudding for us this year, however.
Now we’re planning our January Christmas. It always makes me sad to see everyone ripping down their decorations before we’ve even had Ukrainian Christmas!
I was going to attempt those Santas, but there just wasn’t time to make everything in the end.
I grew up with December Christmas in full British style. I HATE pudding (not a fan of fruit cake in any form), but as with most children, I ate enough to find a coin or two! No pudding for us this year, however.
Now we’re planning our January Christmas. It always makes me sad to see everyone ripping down their decorations before we’ve even had Ukrainian Christmas!
I was going to attempt those Santas, but there just wasn’t time to make everything in the end.
I grew up with December Christmas in full British style. I HATE pudding (not a fan of fruit cake in any form), but as with most children, I ate enough to find a coin or two! No pudding for us this year, however.
Now we’re planning our January Christmas. It always makes me sad to see everyone ripping down their decorations before we’ve even had Ukrainian Christmas!
I was going to attempt those Santas, but there just wasn’t time to make everything in the end.
I grew up with December Christmas in full British style. I HATE pudding (not a fan of fruit cake in any form), but as with most children, I ate enough to find a coin or two! No pudding for us this year, however.
Now we’re planning our January Christmas. It always makes me sad to see everyone ripping down their decorations before we’ve even had Ukrainian Christmas!
I was going to attempt those Santas, but there just wasn’t time to make everything in the end.
I grew up with December Christmas in full British style. I HATE pudding (not a fan of fruit cake in any form), but as with most children, I ate enough to find a coin or two! No pudding for us this year, however.
Now we’re planning our January Christmas. It always makes me sad to see everyone ripping down their decorations before we’ve even had Ukrainian Christmas!
Fortunately, (for me), I don’t cook that well, so everyone knows that whatever I bring to a gathering will be store bought.
My weakness is home made cookies. Being pre-diabetic, I should not have them, but they are hard to pass up at Christmas – so I don’t. I can keep a supply of store bought cookies in the house and not touch a one of them, but even the humblest, simple home made sugar cookie is going to be gobbled up by me once it is within arms reach.
We have a family celebration on Christmas Eve with all kinds of food and goodies. Then, we re-assemble late Christmas day after Santa’s gifts have been opened by the little ones. That’s when we try to finish whatever wasn’t consumed the night before.
By the way, I am one of a rare breed. I love fruitcake if it is made right. And by that I mean properly soaked in liquor for a long time (smile).
Fortunately, (for me), I don’t cook that well, so everyone knows that whatever I bring to a gathering will be store bought.
My weakness is home made cookies. Being pre-diabetic, I should not have them, but they are hard to pass up at Christmas – so I don’t. I can keep a supply of store bought cookies in the house and not touch a one of them, but even the humblest, simple home made sugar cookie is going to be gobbled up by me once it is within arms reach.
We have a family celebration on Christmas Eve with all kinds of food and goodies. Then, we re-assemble late Christmas day after Santa’s gifts have been opened by the little ones. That’s when we try to finish whatever wasn’t consumed the night before.
By the way, I am one of a rare breed. I love fruitcake if it is made right. And by that I mean properly soaked in liquor for a long time (smile).
Fortunately, (for me), I don’t cook that well, so everyone knows that whatever I bring to a gathering will be store bought.
My weakness is home made cookies. Being pre-diabetic, I should not have them, but they are hard to pass up at Christmas – so I don’t. I can keep a supply of store bought cookies in the house and not touch a one of them, but even the humblest, simple home made sugar cookie is going to be gobbled up by me once it is within arms reach.
We have a family celebration on Christmas Eve with all kinds of food and goodies. Then, we re-assemble late Christmas day after Santa’s gifts have been opened by the little ones. That’s when we try to finish whatever wasn’t consumed the night before.
By the way, I am one of a rare breed. I love fruitcake if it is made right. And by that I mean properly soaked in liquor for a long time (smile).
Fortunately, (for me), I don’t cook that well, so everyone knows that whatever I bring to a gathering will be store bought.
My weakness is home made cookies. Being pre-diabetic, I should not have them, but they are hard to pass up at Christmas – so I don’t. I can keep a supply of store bought cookies in the house and not touch a one of them, but even the humblest, simple home made sugar cookie is going to be gobbled up by me once it is within arms reach.
We have a family celebration on Christmas Eve with all kinds of food and goodies. Then, we re-assemble late Christmas day after Santa’s gifts have been opened by the little ones. That’s when we try to finish whatever wasn’t consumed the night before.
By the way, I am one of a rare breed. I love fruitcake if it is made right. And by that I mean properly soaked in liquor for a long time (smile).
Fortunately, (for me), I don’t cook that well, so everyone knows that whatever I bring to a gathering will be store bought.
My weakness is home made cookies. Being pre-diabetic, I should not have them, but they are hard to pass up at Christmas – so I don’t. I can keep a supply of store bought cookies in the house and not touch a one of them, but even the humblest, simple home made sugar cookie is going to be gobbled up by me once it is within arms reach.
We have a family celebration on Christmas Eve with all kinds of food and goodies. Then, we re-assemble late Christmas day after Santa’s gifts have been opened by the little ones. That’s when we try to finish whatever wasn’t consumed the night before.
By the way, I am one of a rare breed. I love fruitcake if it is made right. And by that I mean properly soaked in liquor for a long time (smile).
Hi all. We have the traditional Christmas dinner here in Ireland. Turkey ham my own special stuffing and a selection of veg because they’re picky here about those. I do trifle for desert with the cream added separately as I can’t eat dairy or wheat. But it works fine. Now everyone is still lying around picking at sweets and cakes. I still have visitors so it prolongs the holiday nicely for us here. Looking forward to all the Word Wenches posts and Happy New Year to all!!!
Hi all. We have the traditional Christmas dinner here in Ireland. Turkey ham my own special stuffing and a selection of veg because they’re picky here about those. I do trifle for desert with the cream added separately as I can’t eat dairy or wheat. But it works fine. Now everyone is still lying around picking at sweets and cakes. I still have visitors so it prolongs the holiday nicely for us here. Looking forward to all the Word Wenches posts and Happy New Year to all!!!
Hi all. We have the traditional Christmas dinner here in Ireland. Turkey ham my own special stuffing and a selection of veg because they’re picky here about those. I do trifle for desert with the cream added separately as I can’t eat dairy or wheat. But it works fine. Now everyone is still lying around picking at sweets and cakes. I still have visitors so it prolongs the holiday nicely for us here. Looking forward to all the Word Wenches posts and Happy New Year to all!!!
Hi all. We have the traditional Christmas dinner here in Ireland. Turkey ham my own special stuffing and a selection of veg because they’re picky here about those. I do trifle for desert with the cream added separately as I can’t eat dairy or wheat. But it works fine. Now everyone is still lying around picking at sweets and cakes. I still have visitors so it prolongs the holiday nicely for us here. Looking forward to all the Word Wenches posts and Happy New Year to all!!!
Hi all. We have the traditional Christmas dinner here in Ireland. Turkey ham my own special stuffing and a selection of veg because they’re picky here about those. I do trifle for desert with the cream added separately as I can’t eat dairy or wheat. But it works fine. Now everyone is still lying around picking at sweets and cakes. I still have visitors so it prolongs the holiday nicely for us here. Looking forward to all the Word Wenches posts and Happy New Year to all!!!
Mary, one of the reasons I make sweet things for gifts is because I enjoy making them — and then give them away, so the temptation is gone. 🙂 I love fruitcake — lots of people downunder do, too. It was another thing I made for my dad on a regular basis — he loved my fruitcake. Ive always found the American aversion to it totally bewildering. I know some people dont like it — not everybody likes the same thing — but in the US it seems to be a national trait or something. LOL.
Mary, one of the reasons I make sweet things for gifts is because I enjoy making them — and then give them away, so the temptation is gone. 🙂 I love fruitcake — lots of people downunder do, too. It was another thing I made for my dad on a regular basis — he loved my fruitcake. Ive always found the American aversion to it totally bewildering. I know some people dont like it — not everybody likes the same thing — but in the US it seems to be a national trait or something. LOL.
Mary, one of the reasons I make sweet things for gifts is because I enjoy making them — and then give them away, so the temptation is gone. 🙂 I love fruitcake — lots of people downunder do, too. It was another thing I made for my dad on a regular basis — he loved my fruitcake. Ive always found the American aversion to it totally bewildering. I know some people dont like it — not everybody likes the same thing — but in the US it seems to be a national trait or something. LOL.
Mary, one of the reasons I make sweet things for gifts is because I enjoy making them — and then give them away, so the temptation is gone. 🙂 I love fruitcake — lots of people downunder do, too. It was another thing I made for my dad on a regular basis — he loved my fruitcake. Ive always found the American aversion to it totally bewildering. I know some people dont like it — not everybody likes the same thing — but in the US it seems to be a national trait or something. LOL.
Mary, one of the reasons I make sweet things for gifts is because I enjoy making them — and then give them away, so the temptation is gone. 🙂 I love fruitcake — lots of people downunder do, too. It was another thing I made for my dad on a regular basis — he loved my fruitcake. Ive always found the American aversion to it totally bewildering. I know some people dont like it — not everybody likes the same thing — but in the US it seems to be a national trait or something. LOL.
Anne, Christmas fruitcakes vary wildly in the US. Some, like the one made by my local gourmet grocer, are delicious with nuts and candied fruit and they don’t even need alcohol, which is good because there is none. But there are also cheap commercial fruitcakes without much flavor, best suited for use as doorstops. The ones I’ve enjoyed over the years are invariably the ones made by actual human beings rather than machines.
Anne, Christmas fruitcakes vary wildly in the US. Some, like the one made by my local gourmet grocer, are delicious with nuts and candied fruit and they don’t even need alcohol, which is good because there is none. But there are also cheap commercial fruitcakes without much flavor, best suited for use as doorstops. The ones I’ve enjoyed over the years are invariably the ones made by actual human beings rather than machines.
Anne, Christmas fruitcakes vary wildly in the US. Some, like the one made by my local gourmet grocer, are delicious with nuts and candied fruit and they don’t even need alcohol, which is good because there is none. But there are also cheap commercial fruitcakes without much flavor, best suited for use as doorstops. The ones I’ve enjoyed over the years are invariably the ones made by actual human beings rather than machines.
Anne, Christmas fruitcakes vary wildly in the US. Some, like the one made by my local gourmet grocer, are delicious with nuts and candied fruit and they don’t even need alcohol, which is good because there is none. But there are also cheap commercial fruitcakes without much flavor, best suited for use as doorstops. The ones I’ve enjoyed over the years are invariably the ones made by actual human beings rather than machines.
Anne, Christmas fruitcakes vary wildly in the US. Some, like the one made by my local gourmet grocer, are delicious with nuts and candied fruit and they don’t even need alcohol, which is good because there is none. But there are also cheap commercial fruitcakes without much flavor, best suited for use as doorstops. The ones I’ve enjoyed over the years are invariably the ones made by actual human beings rather than machines.
Thanks, Mary Jo
We can buy OK fruit cake here, and some bought Christmas cakes are very nice, too, but a fruit cake is so easy to make, I never bother buying it. I dont even make it very often now that Dad is gone — he was my main reason for making it. If I made one for my visitors, Id be tempted to keep nibbling at it, so I usually make them for special occasions or to give away.
Thanks, Mary Jo
We can buy OK fruit cake here, and some bought Christmas cakes are very nice, too, but a fruit cake is so easy to make, I never bother buying it. I dont even make it very often now that Dad is gone — he was my main reason for making it. If I made one for my visitors, Id be tempted to keep nibbling at it, so I usually make them for special occasions or to give away.
Thanks, Mary Jo
We can buy OK fruit cake here, and some bought Christmas cakes are very nice, too, but a fruit cake is so easy to make, I never bother buying it. I dont even make it very often now that Dad is gone — he was my main reason for making it. If I made one for my visitors, Id be tempted to keep nibbling at it, so I usually make them for special occasions or to give away.
Thanks, Mary Jo
We can buy OK fruit cake here, and some bought Christmas cakes are very nice, too, but a fruit cake is so easy to make, I never bother buying it. I dont even make it very often now that Dad is gone — he was my main reason for making it. If I made one for my visitors, Id be tempted to keep nibbling at it, so I usually make them for special occasions or to give away.
Thanks, Mary Jo
We can buy OK fruit cake here, and some bought Christmas cakes are very nice, too, but a fruit cake is so easy to make, I never bother buying it. I dont even make it very often now that Dad is gone — he was my main reason for making it. If I made one for my visitors, Id be tempted to keep nibbling at it, so I usually make them for special occasions or to give away.
Anne, your strawberry Santas look fantastic. They must have tasted great too.
We postponed Christmas dinner till Boxing Day when the family were here. Still great fun. No Christmas pud as we’re not fans. After roast goose, we have sharp lemon torte. And I fear there was also alcohol.
Best wishes to all at Word Wenches which is such a great blog.
Anne, your strawberry Santas look fantastic. They must have tasted great too.
We postponed Christmas dinner till Boxing Day when the family were here. Still great fun. No Christmas pud as we’re not fans. After roast goose, we have sharp lemon torte. And I fear there was also alcohol.
Best wishes to all at Word Wenches which is such a great blog.
Anne, your strawberry Santas look fantastic. They must have tasted great too.
We postponed Christmas dinner till Boxing Day when the family were here. Still great fun. No Christmas pud as we’re not fans. After roast goose, we have sharp lemon torte. And I fear there was also alcohol.
Best wishes to all at Word Wenches which is such a great blog.
Anne, your strawberry Santas look fantastic. They must have tasted great too.
We postponed Christmas dinner till Boxing Day when the family were here. Still great fun. No Christmas pud as we’re not fans. After roast goose, we have sharp lemon torte. And I fear there was also alcohol.
Best wishes to all at Word Wenches which is such a great blog.
Anne, your strawberry Santas look fantastic. They must have tasted great too.
We postponed Christmas dinner till Boxing Day when the family were here. Still great fun. No Christmas pud as we’re not fans. After roast goose, we have sharp lemon torte. And I fear there was also alcohol.
Best wishes to all at Word Wenches which is such a great blog.
My father truly liked fruit cake. Every Christmas he enjoyed two. My Aunt Olive (his sister-in-law) made a fruit-cake for him every Christmas. It was given to him in the same box, year after year. (I still treasure the box lid). And a grade-school friend of my mother’s shared a holiday meal with us each year. HER mother also made a yearly fruitcake, soaked in a good alcoholic drink. My father ALWAYS said, “Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece.” She fell for it every year. Both fruitcakes contained citron, which I hate. I would have enjoyed the cakes very much except for the citron.
This year our family gathering was Boxing day. At 88, I’m slowing down a bit. So our food was not traditional: pot roast, sweet-sour red cabbage, braised apples, and golden potatoes with skins on. Commercial cookies and ice-cream for desert. Actually the sweet-sour red cabbage IS traditional in our family. The Aunt Olive mentioned above made it for our Holiday meals every year. It goes very well with traditional turkey as well as with our pot roast. The pot roast and the potatoes were cooked in crock-pots and the cabbage and apples were prepared ahead of time, kept in the freezer and heated in the microwave, so it was a super easy meal for me to prepare (with LOTS of help from my daughter, who traveled here to share the holidays with us).
My father truly liked fruit cake. Every Christmas he enjoyed two. My Aunt Olive (his sister-in-law) made a fruit-cake for him every Christmas. It was given to him in the same box, year after year. (I still treasure the box lid). And a grade-school friend of my mother’s shared a holiday meal with us each year. HER mother also made a yearly fruitcake, soaked in a good alcoholic drink. My father ALWAYS said, “Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece.” She fell for it every year. Both fruitcakes contained citron, which I hate. I would have enjoyed the cakes very much except for the citron.
This year our family gathering was Boxing day. At 88, I’m slowing down a bit. So our food was not traditional: pot roast, sweet-sour red cabbage, braised apples, and golden potatoes with skins on. Commercial cookies and ice-cream for desert. Actually the sweet-sour red cabbage IS traditional in our family. The Aunt Olive mentioned above made it for our Holiday meals every year. It goes very well with traditional turkey as well as with our pot roast. The pot roast and the potatoes were cooked in crock-pots and the cabbage and apples were prepared ahead of time, kept in the freezer and heated in the microwave, so it was a super easy meal for me to prepare (with LOTS of help from my daughter, who traveled here to share the holidays with us).
My father truly liked fruit cake. Every Christmas he enjoyed two. My Aunt Olive (his sister-in-law) made a fruit-cake for him every Christmas. It was given to him in the same box, year after year. (I still treasure the box lid). And a grade-school friend of my mother’s shared a holiday meal with us each year. HER mother also made a yearly fruitcake, soaked in a good alcoholic drink. My father ALWAYS said, “Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece.” She fell for it every year. Both fruitcakes contained citron, which I hate. I would have enjoyed the cakes very much except for the citron.
This year our family gathering was Boxing day. At 88, I’m slowing down a bit. So our food was not traditional: pot roast, sweet-sour red cabbage, braised apples, and golden potatoes with skins on. Commercial cookies and ice-cream for desert. Actually the sweet-sour red cabbage IS traditional in our family. The Aunt Olive mentioned above made it for our Holiday meals every year. It goes very well with traditional turkey as well as with our pot roast. The pot roast and the potatoes were cooked in crock-pots and the cabbage and apples were prepared ahead of time, kept in the freezer and heated in the microwave, so it was a super easy meal for me to prepare (with LOTS of help from my daughter, who traveled here to share the holidays with us).
My father truly liked fruit cake. Every Christmas he enjoyed two. My Aunt Olive (his sister-in-law) made a fruit-cake for him every Christmas. It was given to him in the same box, year after year. (I still treasure the box lid). And a grade-school friend of my mother’s shared a holiday meal with us each year. HER mother also made a yearly fruitcake, soaked in a good alcoholic drink. My father ALWAYS said, “Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece.” She fell for it every year. Both fruitcakes contained citron, which I hate. I would have enjoyed the cakes very much except for the citron.
This year our family gathering was Boxing day. At 88, I’m slowing down a bit. So our food was not traditional: pot roast, sweet-sour red cabbage, braised apples, and golden potatoes with skins on. Commercial cookies and ice-cream for desert. Actually the sweet-sour red cabbage IS traditional in our family. The Aunt Olive mentioned above made it for our Holiday meals every year. It goes very well with traditional turkey as well as with our pot roast. The pot roast and the potatoes were cooked in crock-pots and the cabbage and apples were prepared ahead of time, kept in the freezer and heated in the microwave, so it was a super easy meal for me to prepare (with LOTS of help from my daughter, who traveled here to share the holidays with us).
My father truly liked fruit cake. Every Christmas he enjoyed two. My Aunt Olive (his sister-in-law) made a fruit-cake for him every Christmas. It was given to him in the same box, year after year. (I still treasure the box lid). And a grade-school friend of my mother’s shared a holiday meal with us each year. HER mother also made a yearly fruitcake, soaked in a good alcoholic drink. My father ALWAYS said, “Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece.” She fell for it every year. Both fruitcakes contained citron, which I hate. I would have enjoyed the cakes very much except for the citron.
This year our family gathering was Boxing day. At 88, I’m slowing down a bit. So our food was not traditional: pot roast, sweet-sour red cabbage, braised apples, and golden potatoes with skins on. Commercial cookies and ice-cream for desert. Actually the sweet-sour red cabbage IS traditional in our family. The Aunt Olive mentioned above made it for our Holiday meals every year. It goes very well with traditional turkey as well as with our pot roast. The pot roast and the potatoes were cooked in crock-pots and the cabbage and apples were prepared ahead of time, kept in the freezer and heated in the microwave, so it was a super easy meal for me to prepare (with LOTS of help from my daughter, who traveled here to share the holidays with us).
I hosted Christmas dinner for the in-laws this year and it was nice to have some of my family’s traditional foods available. It’s a fairly typical Christmas dinner with Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes and other vegetables but the item I love the most is a whipped cream fruit salad. Really more of a dessert but it’s called “salad” so we always had it with our dinner. I’ve missed it the past few years, so it was nice to make one for the other side. My 5 year old didn’t eat much else! For me, Christmas dessert fades a bit, my sister in law brought a coconut cream pie (delicious) and my baking (butter tarts are my favourites!). Still eating the eating the baking now…and many cookies left!
I hosted Christmas dinner for the in-laws this year and it was nice to have some of my family’s traditional foods available. It’s a fairly typical Christmas dinner with Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes and other vegetables but the item I love the most is a whipped cream fruit salad. Really more of a dessert but it’s called “salad” so we always had it with our dinner. I’ve missed it the past few years, so it was nice to make one for the other side. My 5 year old didn’t eat much else! For me, Christmas dessert fades a bit, my sister in law brought a coconut cream pie (delicious) and my baking (butter tarts are my favourites!). Still eating the eating the baking now…and many cookies left!
I hosted Christmas dinner for the in-laws this year and it was nice to have some of my family’s traditional foods available. It’s a fairly typical Christmas dinner with Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes and other vegetables but the item I love the most is a whipped cream fruit salad. Really more of a dessert but it’s called “salad” so we always had it with our dinner. I’ve missed it the past few years, so it was nice to make one for the other side. My 5 year old didn’t eat much else! For me, Christmas dessert fades a bit, my sister in law brought a coconut cream pie (delicious) and my baking (butter tarts are my favourites!). Still eating the eating the baking now…and many cookies left!
I hosted Christmas dinner for the in-laws this year and it was nice to have some of my family’s traditional foods available. It’s a fairly typical Christmas dinner with Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes and other vegetables but the item I love the most is a whipped cream fruit salad. Really more of a dessert but it’s called “salad” so we always had it with our dinner. I’ve missed it the past few years, so it was nice to make one for the other side. My 5 year old didn’t eat much else! For me, Christmas dessert fades a bit, my sister in law brought a coconut cream pie (delicious) and my baking (butter tarts are my favourites!). Still eating the eating the baking now…and many cookies left!
I hosted Christmas dinner for the in-laws this year and it was nice to have some of my family’s traditional foods available. It’s a fairly typical Christmas dinner with Turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes and other vegetables but the item I love the most is a whipped cream fruit salad. Really more of a dessert but it’s called “salad” so we always had it with our dinner. I’ve missed it the past few years, so it was nice to make one for the other side. My 5 year old didn’t eat much else! For me, Christmas dessert fades a bit, my sister in law brought a coconut cream pie (delicious) and my baking (butter tarts are my favourites!). Still eating the eating the baking now…and many cookies left!
Sounds lovely Joanna. Ive never eaten goose but my friend Jenny in London cooks it at Christmas, too and tells me its delicious. 🙂 And lemon tart is one of my favorites, so I imagine lemon torte would be too.
Sounds lovely Joanna. Ive never eaten goose but my friend Jenny in London cooks it at Christmas, too and tells me its delicious. 🙂 And lemon tart is one of my favorites, so I imagine lemon torte would be too.
Sounds lovely Joanna. Ive never eaten goose but my friend Jenny in London cooks it at Christmas, too and tells me its delicious. 🙂 And lemon tart is one of my favorites, so I imagine lemon torte would be too.
Sounds lovely Joanna. Ive never eaten goose but my friend Jenny in London cooks it at Christmas, too and tells me its delicious. 🙂 And lemon tart is one of my favorites, so I imagine lemon torte would be too.
Sounds lovely Joanna. Ive never eaten goose but my friend Jenny in London cooks it at Christmas, too and tells me its delicious. 🙂 And lemon tart is one of my favorites, so I imagine lemon torte would be too.
Sounds delicious, Teresa. Trifle is popular here, too, as an alternative to Christmas pudding, and sometimes it and/or pavlova is served for Christmas evening dessert, or some other post Christmas festive gathering — it being summer its the perfect time for lots of fresh fruit desserts. Another pudding of growing popularity is a frozen Christmas pudding — basically you crumble pudding or fruit cak, soak it in the alcohol (or not) of your preference, and mix it into the semi-melted ice-cream of your choice, perhaps with other additions, like chocolate bits or honeycomb, then refreeze it in a round, pudding-shaped bowl. A sprig of holly on the top and serve it with chocolate or caramel sauce or a mixed berry sauce, and its a Christmas pudding for a hot climate.
Sounds delicious, Teresa. Trifle is popular here, too, as an alternative to Christmas pudding, and sometimes it and/or pavlova is served for Christmas evening dessert, or some other post Christmas festive gathering — it being summer its the perfect time for lots of fresh fruit desserts. Another pudding of growing popularity is a frozen Christmas pudding — basically you crumble pudding or fruit cak, soak it in the alcohol (or not) of your preference, and mix it into the semi-melted ice-cream of your choice, perhaps with other additions, like chocolate bits or honeycomb, then refreeze it in a round, pudding-shaped bowl. A sprig of holly on the top and serve it with chocolate or caramel sauce or a mixed berry sauce, and its a Christmas pudding for a hot climate.
Sounds delicious, Teresa. Trifle is popular here, too, as an alternative to Christmas pudding, and sometimes it and/or pavlova is served for Christmas evening dessert, or some other post Christmas festive gathering — it being summer its the perfect time for lots of fresh fruit desserts. Another pudding of growing popularity is a frozen Christmas pudding — basically you crumble pudding or fruit cak, soak it in the alcohol (or not) of your preference, and mix it into the semi-melted ice-cream of your choice, perhaps with other additions, like chocolate bits or honeycomb, then refreeze it in a round, pudding-shaped bowl. A sprig of holly on the top and serve it with chocolate or caramel sauce or a mixed berry sauce, and its a Christmas pudding for a hot climate.
Sounds delicious, Teresa. Trifle is popular here, too, as an alternative to Christmas pudding, and sometimes it and/or pavlova is served for Christmas evening dessert, or some other post Christmas festive gathering — it being summer its the perfect time for lots of fresh fruit desserts. Another pudding of growing popularity is a frozen Christmas pudding — basically you crumble pudding or fruit cak, soak it in the alcohol (or not) of your preference, and mix it into the semi-melted ice-cream of your choice, perhaps with other additions, like chocolate bits or honeycomb, then refreeze it in a round, pudding-shaped bowl. A sprig of holly on the top and serve it with chocolate or caramel sauce or a mixed berry sauce, and its a Christmas pudding for a hot climate.
Sounds delicious, Teresa. Trifle is popular here, too, as an alternative to Christmas pudding, and sometimes it and/or pavlova is served for Christmas evening dessert, or some other post Christmas festive gathering — it being summer its the perfect time for lots of fresh fruit desserts. Another pudding of growing popularity is a frozen Christmas pudding — basically you crumble pudding or fruit cak, soak it in the alcohol (or not) of your preference, and mix it into the semi-melted ice-cream of your choice, perhaps with other additions, like chocolate bits or honeycomb, then refreeze it in a round, pudding-shaped bowl. A sprig of holly on the top and serve it with chocolate or caramel sauce or a mixed berry sauce, and its a Christmas pudding for a hot climate.
Sonya, the strawberries were very easy, but I hear you on the time factor. Christmas is supposed to be about peace, but really were nearly always rushing, arent we? I think Orthodox Christmas is on 12th night, isnt it, which is traditionally the day to take down the decorations. But NOT if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas. 🙂 I have a number of beautiful traditional Orthodox decorations. I have a beautiful Ukranian painted egg from a friend thatI put out each year, also special Greek and Macedonian pieces. Were multicultural in spirit, even if the dates are different.
Sonya, the strawberries were very easy, but I hear you on the time factor. Christmas is supposed to be about peace, but really were nearly always rushing, arent we? I think Orthodox Christmas is on 12th night, isnt it, which is traditionally the day to take down the decorations. But NOT if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas. 🙂 I have a number of beautiful traditional Orthodox decorations. I have a beautiful Ukranian painted egg from a friend thatI put out each year, also special Greek and Macedonian pieces. Were multicultural in spirit, even if the dates are different.
Sonya, the strawberries were very easy, but I hear you on the time factor. Christmas is supposed to be about peace, but really were nearly always rushing, arent we? I think Orthodox Christmas is on 12th night, isnt it, which is traditionally the day to take down the decorations. But NOT if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas. 🙂 I have a number of beautiful traditional Orthodox decorations. I have a beautiful Ukranian painted egg from a friend thatI put out each year, also special Greek and Macedonian pieces. Were multicultural in spirit, even if the dates are different.
Sonya, the strawberries were very easy, but I hear you on the time factor. Christmas is supposed to be about peace, but really were nearly always rushing, arent we? I think Orthodox Christmas is on 12th night, isnt it, which is traditionally the day to take down the decorations. But NOT if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas. 🙂 I have a number of beautiful traditional Orthodox decorations. I have a beautiful Ukranian painted egg from a friend thatI put out each year, also special Greek and Macedonian pieces. Were multicultural in spirit, even if the dates are different.
Sonya, the strawberries were very easy, but I hear you on the time factor. Christmas is supposed to be about peace, but really were nearly always rushing, arent we? I think Orthodox Christmas is on 12th night, isnt it, which is traditionally the day to take down the decorations. But NOT if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas. 🙂 I have a number of beautiful traditional Orthodox decorations. I have a beautiful Ukranian painted egg from a friend thatI put out each year, also special Greek and Macedonian pieces. Were multicultural in spirit, even if the dates are different.
I love this, Sue: My father ALWAYS said, Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece. She fell for it every year. LOL.
I had a friend whose father was also a bit of a wag. Hewas a great reader and was often given a book for Christmas. He would to unwrap it, stare at in a bemused fashion, and say, Oh. A book. I already have one of those.
Your sour-sweet cabbage sounds delicious — well your whole Christmas dinner does, but the sour-sweet cabbage isnt something Im familiar with and sounds intriguing.
All the best for 2016.
I love this, Sue: My father ALWAYS said, Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece. She fell for it every year. LOL.
I had a friend whose father was also a bit of a wag. Hewas a great reader and was often given a book for Christmas. He would to unwrap it, stare at in a bemused fashion, and say, Oh. A book. I already have one of those.
Your sour-sweet cabbage sounds delicious — well your whole Christmas dinner does, but the sour-sweet cabbage isnt something Im familiar with and sounds intriguing.
All the best for 2016.
I love this, Sue: My father ALWAYS said, Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece. She fell for it every year. LOL.
I had a friend whose father was also a bit of a wag. Hewas a great reader and was often given a book for Christmas. He would to unwrap it, stare at in a bemused fashion, and say, Oh. A book. I already have one of those.
Your sour-sweet cabbage sounds delicious — well your whole Christmas dinner does, but the sour-sweet cabbage isnt something Im familiar with and sounds intriguing.
All the best for 2016.
I love this, Sue: My father ALWAYS said, Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece. She fell for it every year. LOL.
I had a friend whose father was also a bit of a wag. Hewas a great reader and was often given a book for Christmas. He would to unwrap it, stare at in a bemused fashion, and say, Oh. A book. I already have one of those.
Your sour-sweet cabbage sounds delicious — well your whole Christmas dinner does, but the sour-sweet cabbage isnt something Im familiar with and sounds intriguing.
All the best for 2016.
I love this, Sue: My father ALWAYS said, Mrs. Herzog, I believe your fruitcake is musty.— I Must have another piece. She fell for it every year. LOL.
I had a friend whose father was also a bit of a wag. Hewas a great reader and was often given a book for Christmas. He would to unwrap it, stare at in a bemused fashion, and say, Oh. A book. I already have one of those.
Your sour-sweet cabbage sounds delicious — well your whole Christmas dinner does, but the sour-sweet cabbage isnt something Im familiar with and sounds intriguing.
All the best for 2016.
Jana, I hit the net to find out more about the whipped cream salad. So interesting. Ive never had anything like it — sounds yummy — and its actually a very regency style of food — they used to have sweet and savory dishes out in the same course. I had to look up butter tarts too — another yummy thing, by the look of it. Thanks.
Jana, I hit the net to find out more about the whipped cream salad. So interesting. Ive never had anything like it — sounds yummy — and its actually a very regency style of food — they used to have sweet and savory dishes out in the same course. I had to look up butter tarts too — another yummy thing, by the look of it. Thanks.
Jana, I hit the net to find out more about the whipped cream salad. So interesting. Ive never had anything like it — sounds yummy — and its actually a very regency style of food — they used to have sweet and savory dishes out in the same course. I had to look up butter tarts too — another yummy thing, by the look of it. Thanks.
Jana, I hit the net to find out more about the whipped cream salad. So interesting. Ive never had anything like it — sounds yummy — and its actually a very regency style of food — they used to have sweet and savory dishes out in the same course. I had to look up butter tarts too — another yummy thing, by the look of it. Thanks.
Jana, I hit the net to find out more about the whipped cream salad. So interesting. Ive never had anything like it — sounds yummy — and its actually a very regency style of food — they used to have sweet and savory dishes out in the same course. I had to look up butter tarts too — another yummy thing, by the look of it. Thanks.
I don’t understand why my apostrophes keep disappearing. Most annoying. People will assume I don’t know about them or don’t bother with them, but the typepad gremlins must be eating them or something.
I don’t understand why my apostrophes keep disappearing. Most annoying. People will assume I don’t know about them or don’t bother with them, but the typepad gremlins must be eating them or something.
I don’t understand why my apostrophes keep disappearing. Most annoying. People will assume I don’t know about them or don’t bother with them, but the typepad gremlins must be eating them or something.
I don’t understand why my apostrophes keep disappearing. Most annoying. People will assume I don’t know about them or don’t bother with them, but the typepad gremlins must be eating them or something.
I don’t understand why my apostrophes keep disappearing. Most annoying. People will assume I don’t know about them or don’t bother with them, but the typepad gremlins must be eating them or something.
Aha, the plot thickens! The apostrophes only disappear when I reply to comments via email. Very weird.
Aha, the plot thickens! The apostrophes only disappear when I reply to comments via email. Very weird.
Aha, the plot thickens! The apostrophes only disappear when I reply to comments via email. Very weird.
Aha, the plot thickens! The apostrophes only disappear when I reply to comments via email. Very weird.
Aha, the plot thickens! The apostrophes only disappear when I reply to comments via email. Very weird.
I’ve learned over the years not all puddings are created equal or are sweet. I made Yorkshire Pudding this Christmas to go along side the filet roast we had. It’s wonderful!
I’ve learned over the years not all puddings are created equal or are sweet. I made Yorkshire Pudding this Christmas to go along side the filet roast we had. It’s wonderful!
I’ve learned over the years not all puddings are created equal or are sweet. I made Yorkshire Pudding this Christmas to go along side the filet roast we had. It’s wonderful!
I’ve learned over the years not all puddings are created equal or are sweet. I made Yorkshire Pudding this Christmas to go along side the filet roast we had. It’s wonderful!
I’ve learned over the years not all puddings are created equal or are sweet. I made Yorkshire Pudding this Christmas to go along side the filet roast we had. It’s wonderful!
My mother made batches of fruitcake when I was growing up, she would bake them in coffee cans lined with parchment paper, and they were given away as gifts. I remember them being quite good.
We also had stollen, which is a German version of fruitcake, made with a yeast dough, and not overly sweet. It’s more of a breakfast or afternoon coffee cake than a dessert.
My mother made batches of fruitcake when I was growing up, she would bake them in coffee cans lined with parchment paper, and they were given away as gifts. I remember them being quite good.
We also had stollen, which is a German version of fruitcake, made with a yeast dough, and not overly sweet. It’s more of a breakfast or afternoon coffee cake than a dessert.
My mother made batches of fruitcake when I was growing up, she would bake them in coffee cans lined with parchment paper, and they were given away as gifts. I remember them being quite good.
We also had stollen, which is a German version of fruitcake, made with a yeast dough, and not overly sweet. It’s more of a breakfast or afternoon coffee cake than a dessert.
My mother made batches of fruitcake when I was growing up, she would bake them in coffee cans lined with parchment paper, and they were given away as gifts. I remember them being quite good.
We also had stollen, which is a German version of fruitcake, made with a yeast dough, and not overly sweet. It’s more of a breakfast or afternoon coffee cake than a dessert.
My mother made batches of fruitcake when I was growing up, she would bake them in coffee cans lined with parchment paper, and they were given away as gifts. I remember them being quite good.
We also had stollen, which is a German version of fruitcake, made with a yeast dough, and not overly sweet. It’s more of a breakfast or afternoon coffee cake than a dessert.
Molly, my friend Carol makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding. I dont think Ive ever made it — but it is yummy! Im very fond of savory puddings. Happy new year.
Molly, my friend Carol makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding. I dont think Ive ever made it — but it is yummy! Im very fond of savory puddings. Happy new year.
Molly, my friend Carol makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding. I dont think Ive ever made it — but it is yummy! Im very fond of savory puddings. Happy new year.
Molly, my friend Carol makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding. I dont think Ive ever made it — but it is yummy! Im very fond of savory puddings. Happy new year.
Molly, my friend Carol makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding. I dont think Ive ever made it — but it is yummy! Im very fond of savory puddings. Happy new year.
Karin, that sounds like a lovely gift to give. Youve reminded me of something my mother used to make (at all times of the year) — a date loaf that was baked in a long round container, with lids at either end. It was then sliced and buttered for morning or afternoon tea. Delicious. Stollen is also yummy. Thanks for popping by. Happy New Year.
Karin, that sounds like a lovely gift to give. Youve reminded me of something my mother used to make (at all times of the year) — a date loaf that was baked in a long round container, with lids at either end. It was then sliced and buttered for morning or afternoon tea. Delicious. Stollen is also yummy. Thanks for popping by. Happy New Year.
Karin, that sounds like a lovely gift to give. Youve reminded me of something my mother used to make (at all times of the year) — a date loaf that was baked in a long round container, with lids at either end. It was then sliced and buttered for morning or afternoon tea. Delicious. Stollen is also yummy. Thanks for popping by. Happy New Year.
Karin, that sounds like a lovely gift to give. Youve reminded me of something my mother used to make (at all times of the year) — a date loaf that was baked in a long round container, with lids at either end. It was then sliced and buttered for morning or afternoon tea. Delicious. Stollen is also yummy. Thanks for popping by. Happy New Year.
Karin, that sounds like a lovely gift to give. Youve reminded me of something my mother used to make (at all times of the year) — a date loaf that was baked in a long round container, with lids at either end. It was then sliced and buttered for morning or afternoon tea. Delicious. Stollen is also yummy. Thanks for popping by. Happy New Year.
Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that butter tarts were a Canadian treat. Although I suppose it makes sense (sort of) I’m the great granddaughter of early Canadian pioneers, who learned the language and cooking from their neighbours in small farming communities.
Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that butter tarts were a Canadian treat. Although I suppose it makes sense (sort of) I’m the great granddaughter of early Canadian pioneers, who learned the language and cooking from their neighbours in small farming communities.
Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that butter tarts were a Canadian treat. Although I suppose it makes sense (sort of) I’m the great granddaughter of early Canadian pioneers, who learned the language and cooking from their neighbours in small farming communities.
Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that butter tarts were a Canadian treat. Although I suppose it makes sense (sort of) I’m the great granddaughter of early Canadian pioneers, who learned the language and cooking from their neighbours in small farming communities.
Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that butter tarts were a Canadian treat. Although I suppose it makes sense (sort of) I’m the great granddaughter of early Canadian pioneers, who learned the language and cooking from their neighbours in small farming communities.