It’s November! It must be that time again! Time for me to show you what I’ve been finding in stores since September! (Yes, really.)
Honestly? I’ve found a lot of the stores to be a little lacklustre this year. It’s been a little disappointing. But I’ve pulled out the best for you! (Psst! The best was from Fortnum & Mason.) Would you like to know more?
For those of you with long memories you might remember that Giftmas Day cooking last year was a new and unequivocal low point in my kitchen efforts. But not to be dissuaded, when I found a frozen duck the other day at the markets, I was all over it!
Pulling out the same recipe, I was determined to attempt this again, and be successful! Would you like to know more?
‘Twas the night before Giftmas and all through the house, not a creature was stiring
not even the flamingo who was standing in for the mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hopes that Saint Nicholas (who is _not_ Sinterklaas) soon would be there.
All the little windows on the Advent Calendar have been opened (lewd scenes removed before photography), so it must be that time of year!
We have been shopping and have a ridiculous amount of food for the next three days. The duck is in the fridge, waiting to be slow cooked in the oven on the morrow, there is a paella planned for guests on Boxing Day, and enough cheese and cured meats to clog all the arteries!
As people have been asking, I will also tell you now that the forecast is for rain. Not Snow. It hasn’t been cold enough. I think we’d need to be further North for the white Christmas.
To all our friends and family who were kind enough to send us things, they are under the tree waiting for tomorrow morning. I want to thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts. It is wonderful that even though we are so far away, we aren’t forgotten. It means a lot that you went to the effort.
I haven’t heard from all of you yet, but I hope all our return packages arrived safely. Know that we love you all, miss you terribly, and you’ll be in our hearts and minds as you always are. I’ll also keep Skype open for all those wishing to indulge!
Have a merry and safe Christmas everyone! See you on the other side!
George & Himself.
We were introduced to a new market by friends today, the Sunday Market at Westergasfabriek. Being cold and wet, I think we spent more time inside than out, though there were some beautiful things to see, and food to sample all over!
As you can see, the weather doesn’t put anyone off, they just rug up for it. It’s a very popular market. I think it doesn’t hurt that it’s only on once a month rather than every week like some other markets.
It’s a hand-made and crafters market, which reminded me a lot of the Bus Depot Market in Canberra. There were a fair few similar stalls!
It was also a wonderful place to begin the mammoth task of Giftmas shopping for 2012!
It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, just in case the world doesn’t come to an end.
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!
ghoti industries 