Xmas

A Shopping Weekend

Posted on November 26, 2012November 26, 2012 by ghotiindustries

In the age old, grand tradition of Giftmas, we spent the weekend shopping. After searching fruitlessly for gifts we stopped off in the Bazaar for a bite to eat.

Before heading to Duikelmans for some baking supplies. It’s a pain when what I have brought with me doesn’t fit in my makeshift oven! *pouts*

But I have no trouble finding everything I need,

and a few things I can convince myself I need, in here!

The lights are hung in all the streets, and Amsterdam is becoming fairy town. This bodes well for the opening of the Festival on Lights on Thursday night which I hope to go to!

Conveniently for the lights, darkness is complete by 5pm here, and we’re not yet at solstice!

The pastry shops and confectioners are wringing out everything they can get from the last few weeks of Sinterklaas.

And the local equivalent of Bunnings is about to take a chunk out of my wallet!

How are your end of year preparations coming along?

’tis the Season!

Posted on October 24, 2012October 24, 2012 by ghotiindustries

I spy with my little eye, an Alessi Nativity!

It must mean that Giftmas is just around the corner! Yes! Why look at that! It’s ornaments as ornaments! How meta! (or inception, or something …)

Gnomes and woodland creatures seem to be big this year.

Though, pastel cupcakes always make me think of Giftmas!

If you need something a little more plush, there’s the usual array of singing … things …

Or you can have decapitated polar bear above your mantel for that really cozy (gezellig) touch!

Though you can never really be sure it’s giftmas until you’ve seen a hula-ing frog,

a monkey and a giraffe doing ballet,

and an alligator in a santa suit on a bicycle!

It’s good to see that being on the other side of the world hasn’t changed the true meaning of giftmas! 😉

I hope you’re all counting down!

One week ‘til Santa!

Posted on December 18, 2011December 30, 2011 by ghotiindustries

Can you believe it? Where did that come from? And who’d have thought it would happen so quickly!

As I do most years, I have been baking some gifts for people. Both family and work colleagues. The first gift was shared over the weekend. A cute little recipe I picked up in the free xmas cooking magazine from Coles. Vodka Cherries.

750g cherries
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon quill
1 cup of vodka

I began by washing and pitting the cherries,

and sterilising the jars. (You’ll need a 1 litre capacity)

The usual critics made the usual comments.

Combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan you stir it over a low heat without boiling until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil.

Add the cherries vanilla bean, and cinnamon quill (I used pure vanilla essence and ground cinnamon – they were in the pantry) and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the vodka.

You then spoon the cherries into jars and cover with liquid. Seal tightly, and label with the date. They store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

As per the recipe, these cherries are delicious served with ice cream, and a little of the syrup can be added to champagne for a cocktail.

We may have used more than a little. But I can attest that it is also delicious in mineral water! They were a complete success at our luncheon table over the weekend! 😀

I have also for the first time attempted truffles. Balls I can do.

My dipping technique needs work!

I think I’ll try these again next year, and just make some more fudge in the mean time!

To my readers, both the recent and those who have been with me from the start, I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of the cockles of my heart, and if I don’t speak to you in the mean time, have a safe, happy, and wonderful giftmas. May your stockings be full, your relatives be kind, and may Santa be generous!

The countdown continues

Posted on December 5, 2011 by ghotiindustries

As is I guess standard for this time of year, things are hectic.

The little doors on the Advent calendar are being opened one by one.

Friday night was the end of a long week, and we ended up first in Cockle Bay,

then over in Darling Harbour where we had tapas for dinner

with Sangria.

Over the weekend I put up our tree. With a little help from Himself,

it was decorated.

I thought this the perfect accompaniment.

There’s a gold ghoti somewhere … oh yes. Near the Electric Bass.

After all that excitement, and in an effort to escape the unseasonable weather, it was time for a bit of a snuggle for some warmth!

34 sleeps until Santa

Posted on November 21, 2011 by ghotiindustries

… And all the shops know it.

As is the tradition in these parts, once the decorations go into the shops a friend and I go every year and spend some time analysing the year’s tree trimming trends. It is often hilarious, and not a little scary!

Himself doesn’t get it. He is just mostly horrified by the whole shebang. I’m putting it down to some as yet undefined childhood trauma. Silly duffer.

This year if you follow the twit stream you will have been a part of some of it as it happened. For those that didn’t, here is a quick recap. Apologies in advance for the fuzzy nature of the phone photos. It’s hard to keep still while you’re laughing.

Himself isn’t convinced of my alternative plan to a wreath on the door. But I ask you, how can you go wrong with a purple glitter stags head to welcome your guests to the festivities?