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24 December 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

happy christmas

The tree is decorated and the presents are piled underneath.  Lulu has sniffed every one and is absolutely sure which ones are for her.

The cake is made and has its marzipan icing on, ready for the royal icing which will be applied lovingly this evening, or possibly on Christmas morning.  Last minute as always. A new mini herd of reindeer has been purchased to add to the forest of Christmas trees, the snowman and Santa Claus that adorn it every year.

happy christmas2

The mince pies are made and I tried a different recipe this year.  They look promising.  OK, I admit it, I felt obliged to try one and they taste good.  (Recipe here.)

The house is decorated beautifully and as minimally as I could get away with.  The tinsel factor is lower this year because I managed to hide some of it before Nick found it all.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope that Santa Claus visits your house, that the turkey is cooked through and that you have a truly wonderful time !!

more of the same

18 comments:

  1. ladybirdTuesday, December 24, 2013

    Beautiful tree and delicious looking minced pies. Wishing you a Wonderful Christmas Eve and a Merry Christmas Day. Any Loire Valley bubbles in the fridge to mark the occasion? Have fun! Martine

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  2. VeraTuesday, December 24, 2013

    Hope you have a lovely Christmas...... and those mince pies look delish. Haven't made any this year, so I felt quite a drool coming over me when I saw yours! Vx

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  3. HelvaTuesday, December 24, 2013

    Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas and New Year, and happy 'woofs' from Smokey and the Bandit (silver miniatures) to their (standard) cousin Lulu!

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  4. KathyTuesday, December 24, 2013

    A very happy Christmas to you and Nick, Jean.

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  5. SusanTuesday, December 24, 2013

    Those mince pies look excellent. Are they topped with frangipane? Merry Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. JeanTuesday, December 24, 2013

      Susan, they are indeed. It's a Mary Berry recipe.

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  6. TimTuesday, December 24, 2013

    All the signs of a good mince pie - deep and crisp and even. Have a wonderful Christmas! P&T

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  7. SharonTuesday, December 24, 2013

    Marry Christmas to you and I look forward to another year as a Grand Pressigny stalker! And I'm going to look up that mince pie recipe!

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    Replies
    1. JeanTuesday, December 24, 2013

      Sharon, you'll find the recipe here:
      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2065815/Recipe-Frangipane-mince-pies.html
      I added half an apple, peeled and chopped, the zest of a small orange and a good glug of brandy to the mincemeat. Then I sprinkled them with icing sugar rather than brushing them with the apricot glaze.
      Otherwise I followed the recipe to the letter !!

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  8. GaynorBTuesday, December 24, 2013

    I bet the mince pies taste as good as they look!
    Happy Christmas.

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  9. Moving with MitchellTuesday, December 24, 2013

    The tree is beautiful. And my mouth is watering. Even after consuming my yearlong allotment of dark chocolate truffles and turrón! Joyeux Noel

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  10. wcsWednesday, December 25, 2013

    Happy Christmas!

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  11. Ken BroadhurstWednesday, December 25, 2013

    Merry Christmas, Jean and Nick. Our Guinea fowl capon is on the rotisserie, the greens and the squash are cooked, and it's almost time for our dinner. Hope yours is good too (as I'm sure it will be).

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  12. Niall & AntoinetteWednesday, December 25, 2013

    Happy Christmas!
    Those mince pies look yummy!

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  13. Leon SimsWednesday, December 25, 2013

    The very best from Sue and Leon in Aussieland.
    Have a healthy and safe 2014.

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  14. Phil LoweWednesday, December 25, 2013

    A very happy Christmas to you and Nick and the lovely Lulu. Have a great ime and we must meet up again in 2014. Love Phil x

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  15. Rob-bearThursday, December 26, 2013

    Happy Christmas to you, Nick, and the head of your house, Lulu. Hope you have a wonderful 2014.

    Blessings and Christmas Bear hugs from across the pond!

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  16. Ur-spoSaturday, December 28, 2013

    I've been away this week. I am glad to see you had a happy christmas. May 2014 be a lovely year for you.

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