Deck the Halls

Today has been a busy day of Christmas prep as the munchkins and I, accompanied by the ever present JR, went off to the woods to gather greenery to make a wreath for our front door and one for OH's work. Here is how I did it...

coat hangers, secateurs, string, florist wire, gloves, moss, ivy, pine from my Christmas tree, holly and poinsettia

* note I used poinsettia as my holly was lacking in the berry department but you could use red carnations, red ribbon, wired up pinecones or even red roses if you want to push the boat out.

Pull your wire coat hanger into a round wish shape. As you can see you don't have to be exact because the greenery covers it up so perfection is not required.

Bundle up the moss and use the string to tie it all around the wire. 

Add the greenery in layers. I started with the ivy then added the pine and finished with the holly.

Secure the greenery by folding the florist wire in half then push it through the moss to the other side so it pins down the stem. Twist the two ends of the wire the tighten then bend safely out of the way.

Wrap the wire around the flower of your choice then add that where you want. I did two separate designs...

for my front door

for OH's work

Always take care to wash your hands thoroughly after arranging flowers.

  So because tramping through the woods then making a wreath for the door is not Christmassy enough the munchkins and I put on some festive tunes and baked some biscuits. It is an old favourite recipe, tried and tested, which I have written down in my Christmas Almanack. After wasting time year after year of trawling through recipes trying to find one we had enjoyed there was one year I forgot to make something we all really enjoyed and the munchkins were disappointed so I decided to write it all down, every last little thing we like so there is no chance it will be forgotten and I cannot recommend it enough. Find a nice notebook and start one this year.

Our biscuits have cooled down and are in a tin some are ready to be put into cellophane bags and given as gifts while others will be available to nibble after school or with a cup of tea.

Whatever you do in the week running up to Christmas I hope you enjoy it.

Hugs from Haggis Land,

Jx

Fair / Fayre?

Hand carved Santa Pencils

Well I did it! The Christmas fayres/fairs have been and gone and, rather amazingly, my hair did not go white overnight from the stress. As it is the first time I have sold my hand made items my two biggest quandaries were how much stock to bring and at what price I should sell everything. I had a week between the fayre and the fair (what is with the olde worlde spelling?!) but could not decide if I should make any extra stock. My hands have been a bit rough with all the outdoor work I do so anything fine was out of the question.

mixture of little stockings

felt decorations

The fayre was at a local school and it was really full on with lots of sugar-high children running about  but it was okay to sit back and see how these things go as I was surrounded by seasoned pros! The fair was a much more sedate affair and I was very lucky to have my very good friend with me throughout and my lovely OH brought the munchkins along and left one to sort change but not until he had sat down and have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake with them at the tables and managed to sell something for me from there. My goal was well and truly smashed and I have been asked if I will go along again...I think so.

table at the fayre

It has not escaped my notice that more Scots gets dropped into conversations these days as if after a couple of years of being up here my Scottish friends are no longer constantly having to remind themselves to speak English without all of the little phrases and words that take little while to get used to. I'm strangely pleased by that. Today is a day of wandering about the next town over posting gifts and cards and shopping for the extra little bits but in all the preparation for Christmas I have a very important Birthday before that; my daughter. This week is going to be fun!



My promise to myself after the two fairs were over wass to have another go at making panettone. After spending all that time making the candied citrus peel last year only to have the cat attack the dough was disheartening but this year I am determined to make some without the Furry Assassin's intervention so that is for next week and if there is no meddling I might be able to post a picture.



Before I head off to start my day I will leave you with this very nice non-alcoholic recipe I tried from the food network: a dash of orange blossom water, 1 measure lime cordial, 1 measure elderflower cordial and top it up with sparkling water. Enjoy!

Hugs from Haggis Land,

Jx