Friday 24 January 2014

Christmas Remembered

No apologies for a little look back to Christmas -
it was so very enjoyable for us and I am feeling rather reluctant to forget it all!
Much of the fun was in the preparations - including making up our own hampers for presents from
some of the preserves and brews we had been compiling. 

Karen made several Christmas Cakes (including one for us of course!).

I filtered off my Sloe Gin infusion...

Sloe Gin gets even better with keeping so some of these have been stashed away for future years!

Homemade fudge - yummy!!

Karen found that these mixing bowls made great containers for all the goodies
and of course can be kept and used afterwards!

But the main reason why it was a little different for us this time
was that it was the first spent at our Norfolk retreat!

I was great fun decorating the place - my favourite was Anna's crocheted snowflake bunting.

Soon after we bought it we discovered that the bungalow was called Meadow View
and we enjoyed our Christmas lunch looking at the wonderful view.

Christmas lunch would not be complete without Christmas pudding...

... then letting it go down in front of the fire...

...or walking it off down the Loke.



 

19 comments:

  1. It sounds like you had an extra special Christmas Jerry at your new Norfolk retreat :) I love those crocheted snowflakes and its wonderful to see all the homemade treats and goodies you have all made :)

    Happy New Year to you all :)

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  2. Love the idea of those Christmas gifts in a bowl that can be used, inspired. Your retreat was perfect, a lovely time.

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    1. Ann the bowl idea was Karen's. She found that packaging was surprisingly expensive and was only going to be thrown away whereas the bowls were cheaper and useful! 😊

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  3. Hi Jerry!:)

    Many thanks for your visit, and I hope Thomas also passes by. It would be nice to follow you both!!

    All your Christmas preparations look wonderful.I have never tried Sloe Gin but the colour looks most inviting.:)The hampers are a lovely idea, and Ana's crocheted decorations are indeed very pretty. It seemed like a fun time for you all, and what I call an old fashioned family Christmas, the best kind.:)

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    1. Hi Thomas' blog is a project he's doing part of his photography course at uni. I'll send you a link to it. You must try sloe gin it tastes as good as it looks - do you get sloes where you live - and gin for that matter?

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    2. That's great, I would love for you to send Thomas's link...thank you. We don't have the Sloe tree here, but we do have Junipers, and Portugal produces gin. I love my 6.30 gin and tonic every evening, and will now be on the look out for Sloe gin.

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  4. Thanks RR yes it was a lot of fun we hope our friends enjoyed their homemade presents as much as we did making it all! Norfolk has been great too and its been interesting to compare moth trapping there with surrey. Happy new year!

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  5. ¡Feliz año nuevo a todos! Las fotos que has publicado son realmente entrañables, Jerry. Esperemos que la felicidad y los buenos deseos de la Navidad y el Año Nuevo se extiendan a todo lo largo del año. Esos regalos y esos licores tienen un aspecto excelente y no digamos las golosinas.

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  6. It 's been a month since Christmas and beyond ... but the beautiful memories never pass.
    So this first Christmas in the "Meadow View" will be the first of many beautiful Christmas, all together, with your beautiful family!!!

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    1. Yes Rita , we definitely plan to spend many more lovely Christmas celebrations there together.

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  7. Looking at these pictures I wish it was Christmas again! Lovely family atmosphere and delicious goodies!

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  8. You look like you enjoy the holidays, Jerry! I'm so glad you shared these wonderful family photos with us.! Everything looks SO good!!! I love the crocheted snowflakes... reminds me of my mom's work...ahhh...beautiful memories!!!!

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    1. That's such a lovely comment Hilda - I bet your mum was good at it and made lots of lovely things.

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  9. Hola :) He disfrutado mucho viendo las fotos. Hay mucho trabajo!! Pero realmente la Navidad es un tiempo para vivirla en armonía y felicidad para que reine en nuestros hogares. Felicita a Anna de mi parte por la decoración de crochet, a Karen por las estupendas preparaciones culinarias... a toda la familia mi enhorabuena.
    Un abrazo para toda la familia, Sonia.

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  10. Thanks Sonia, yes it was lovely to bring together all our efforts in an unforgettable celebration.

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  11. Hi Jerry! I hope you and your family are well. A little concerned that I haven't heard from you for such a long time, no posts, and no visits! Sending you and yours every good wish.
    Warm Regards.

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