I'm feeling smug

Yes, I am feeling very smug and pleased with myself as I have FINISHED my Christmas shopping!!!! (well with the exception of a main present for BB - awaiting his list, and a few more little bits for Belle). Have also sorted birthday presents out for between now and January. I have never been this organised before - what will I do with myself for the next 2 months!!

fantastic home-made roasted Cashew Nuts

We love cashew nuts but they are a tad expensive so just for treats, and I always buy a really big tub at Christmas. Last week we went to a local Oriental Supermarket and I bought a large bag of unroasted cashew nuts (I only needed a handful for my dish but they were quite reasonable so thought I would keep and store them). I'm not sure whether the nuts are actually raw (as I once heard or read that there is something poisonous about the cashew nut uncooked) but anway they were in a 'raw' seeming state. Anway I decided to have a go at roasting some, which was so successful I did the whole lot!!!

Spread 'raw' cashew nuts out on a baking tray.

Roast in oven for a few minutes turning every so often (you need to keep a close eye as timings vary). Take out and allow to cool a bit.

Drizzle with Olive Oil and add salt. Store.

They are absolutely delicious and this was you also control the amount of salt on them. The only problem is, will they last til Christmas. (I think not, as jar has been half emptied already!).

Christmas is coming.....

Things have been rather hectic so not had much time to blog. You would think with Belle in f/t childcare this week I would have oodles of free time but not so - haven't even got half the things done that I had planned - no matter!! Well, I did manage to finish the cake and pud.

part-way through mixing the cake in the Kenwood

The finished cake - yum yum

Both have now been wrapped up and put away for Christmas. I always make a small one as well for testing purposes. Half had gone before I had even managed to take the pic!

Getting into the Christmas spirit

After the fantastic example set by Lizyloo I thought I ought to start our Christmnas prep. So, tonight I have been 'steeping' the fruit for the Christmas cake (right) in lots of brandy and getting the Christmas pud mix prepared and resting (BB and I having both had a good stir and plently of wishes - and they DO come true!!!).

Tomorrow is set aside to steam the pudding and to mix up and bake the rest of the cake along with knocking up a batch of mincemeat. In between the cooking I shall have a good spring clean of all the kitchen cupboards and throw out those strange cans and packets that always accumulate at the back of cupboards. They are always things that everyone denies having ever bought, no-one will ever eat them and they are 3 years out of date (how can this be when I clear the cupboards out every year?....)

My First Shoes

On Wednesday we went to John Lewis and got Belle's feet measured and had her fitted with her first 'proper' pair of shoes. These have quite bendy flexible soles and are so cute. Belle is very proud of wearing them although does like to try to take them off as they are velcro fastened!

Unique pretty clothes

I recently visisted a very nice baby clothes shop - lots of very pretty and unusual stuff but unfortunately a price tag to match. Although I bought a couple of things I decided that I should take a leaf out of Lizyloos book and adapt some plain clothing to make some pretty and unique pieces.

Take two plain white vests / sleeveless bodies and add some subtle detailing.

It's just subtle but adds a nice touch to an otherwise plain piece.

Finished clock

We picked up our finished project from Bojangles this week and we're very pleased with it. The clock will go in Belle's bedroom so we just need to start teaching her how to tell the time! We loved doing this so much and were so happy with the result that we then made a similar plate for Grandma for her Christmas present which we'll pick up next week.