Another Christmas Magazine Number Two

I spotted another Christmas Magazine last evening entitled "Simply Christmas".  It is not an overly thick magazine but it does have a delightful miniature Gingerbread Cottage Cookie Cutter kit on the front of it.  Something to keep the children occupied or indeed to make an individual Gingerbread Cottage at Christmas for relatives or friends.  It is very low key in relation to what is going on at the moment and has nice touches in that it is suggesting we look for greenery to decorate our homes with wherever possible and use nature's natural elegance to complement those decorations that we do have.  There are also suggestions for having a "Crafternoon" for relatives and friends to help raise funds for Mind.  It is a good idea in principle.  However, in light of no more than six people being in a home at one time I am not sure how this is going to pan out.  

For those who wish to obtain more information about this fundraiser further information can be obtained from mind.org.uk/crafternoon.

There are of course the usual articles of suitable Christmas presents, and where to find them.  I do not know about you, but these articles only fuel me even more with ideas of what and when and who I am going to make things for.  Sometimes it is the things we possibly do not envisage ever buying which gives you inspiration for making something.

There are some good articles for Christmas food which in turn lead to new books which are to be published shortly.  Some of these are classics and some of these add a new twist to a well known recipe.  Take the "Stuffed Porchetta" recipe from James Martin in his new book Islands to Highlands. Published by Hardie Grant cost £20. His version incorporates Blue Vinney.  Looks and sounds a very interesting recipe.  

There is also then the Christmas cured fish using pine tree needles as part of the cure.  A recipe from Julia Georgallis from a soon to be published book called How to Eat your Christmas Tree.  Published from 29 October by Hardie Grant cost £12.  There are lots of other lovely recipes as well including a recipe for Rosemary Ice Cream.  Now that I might have to make.  I have just purchased a couple of more Rosemary Bushes for the Garden and might add a few more yet as I love fresh Rosemary and you can always use it to decorate the Christmas table with, i.e. little individual napkin rings or sprigs on small garlands, large garlands and wreaths as well as used for decorating food.

There are also a few Christmas Crafting projects including a felt wreath as an individual setting for the table.

We will celebrate Christmas here, we always do whether that be quietly within our own space or with family members. Everyone needs to have something to look forward to.  Christmas is that for me in many respects as it is about enjoying preparation of things you have made whether that be food, decorations or crafted items.  It is about the doing and keeping yourself occupied and distracted in times and spaces where there is conflict.  It is also about the sharing of yourself and your ideas where you can and it is about having faith that one day things are going to be better.  So we all need Christmas to look forward to - no matter how we celebrate.  

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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