tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83480504862805024802024-03-13T16:58:14.481+00:00Eclectic Home and LifeBaking,crafting, making and life observations from a busy
and happy me!eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-55211910685626449492020-12-21T23:11:00.006+00:002020-12-22T07:10:51.925+00:00Chocolate mousse cookies<div style="text-align: left;">Today I share with you the last of the seven bakes for Christmas. We of course bake </div><div style="text-align: left;">other things but we <i>only</i> cook seven types of cookies. We also bake Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, kransekake <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2015/12/norwegian-christmas-cake.html">(see here)</a> and chocolate roulade ~ a true family favourite <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2015/05/crochet-and-mocha-roulade.html">(see here)</a>, along with other things that catch our fancy, it is a foodie time of year where we perhaps eat a tad too much but come together as a family and share in this culinary feast. This year as we all know is different and many families and friends are separated for reasons beyond their control and we are the same in this household. Today for the first time I made chocolate mousse cookies as my daughter is not a Norwegian spice kind of girl, give her her Asian heritage spice and away she goes but not the warmth of Norwegian cookies, so these are for her...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLYSe_0Xx-4rhU5VQZmFeFJaDIYxnwcCJPjYopfnuegDqPJQpl22XH34WD5vEqf95mI5jYXr-J7O6cZVOR3Xg97Sjetg5sxJnKuw7uYPl_3Uosx8RXrS_CWL6763uuqgpwwr365ZsLVY/s2048/IMG_20201221_184536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLYSe_0Xx-4rhU5VQZmFeFJaDIYxnwcCJPjYopfnuegDqPJQpl22XH34WD5vEqf95mI5jYXr-J7O6cZVOR3Xg97Sjetg5sxJnKuw7uYPl_3Uosx8RXrS_CWL6763uuqgpwwr365ZsLVY/s320/IMG_20201221_184536.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Mousse Cookies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Chocolate Mousse Cookies</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>You will need:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">3 egg white</div><div style="text-align: left;">200g sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tsp vanilla sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">250g good quality dark chocolate</div><div style="text-align: left;">200g walnuts ~ these could be omitted</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tbsp corn starch</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Whisk the egg whites until stiff.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Add the sugars and continues to whisk till they form a lovely glossy meringue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Melt the chocolate over a Bain Marie and allow to cool until it is room temperature but still completely melted, you do not want it beginning to form a solid again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Carefully fold the chocolate into the meringue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Add the chopped walnuts and corn starch and continue to fold in gently. You do not want to loose the air or make the meringue change it's consistency, if over mixed it will become a runny mix.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Put a tablespoon of mixture onto lined baking sheets, leaving a good amount of space between each one as they will spread out quite a bit. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥ </span> Bake in a preheated oven at 175 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> As you take them out of the oven they will appear to be very soft, leave them on the baking sheets to cool for several minutes and they will stiffen up a bit. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Very carefully transfer them onto a cooling rack to cool completely. these meringue like cookies are very fragile.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd2Gaoq87bzidWgNqTWM7vKDKq-p29NmdY_st9YaxW2f64rN-YWzSicATZDbivpRZrCiRZ_ix5t2T6jQ1JZrOHtWD-He6mP8tbR80sebsGHOI4zZ94lqwewzSPPr9X82Lnwcklu1bRetM/s2048/IMG_20201221_190404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd2Gaoq87bzidWgNqTWM7vKDKq-p29NmdY_st9YaxW2f64rN-YWzSicATZDbivpRZrCiRZ_ix5t2T6jQ1JZrOHtWD-He6mP8tbR80sebsGHOI4zZ94lqwewzSPPr9X82Lnwcklu1bRetM/s320/IMG_20201221_190404.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cookies melt in the mouth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These gorgeous mousse like meringue cookies are delicious but do not last very long. Bake and eat within 3-4 days</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best way to describe them are something akin to a chocolate brownie and a meringue. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Delicious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span><span style="color: red;"> How are your preparations coming along? </span><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></b></span></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-76578442365580766482020-12-21T07:46:00.000+00:002020-12-21T07:46:16.086+00:00Paper craft place names<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOPehhVyqdW0T61DXLVhenGH5xD0qtPZS7jWq9xPo9LUtm1-Os9Vkq-HKU7xm4YCQswhbhsSU3uUH2o43rYaD_QL0aAWY7gQvvuRHN4QOr_8cxhrAzk34fvpidQnzQqy7WdiOhiHBgYRP/s2048/IMG_20201029_190614.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOPehhVyqdW0T61DXLVhenGH5xD0qtPZS7jWq9xPo9LUtm1-Os9Vkq-HKU7xm4YCQswhbhsSU3uUH2o43rYaD_QL0aAWY7gQvvuRHN4QOr_8cxhrAzk34fvpidQnzQqy7WdiOhiHBgYRP/w200-h200/IMG_20201029_190614.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper craft </td></tr></tbody></table>Scandinavians love to craft with paper at Christmas, the Danes have become particularly known for this but let me assure you the Norwegians have been paper crafting for decades too.<p></p><p>Last year I shared with you how to make these lovely paper stars, see <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2019/12/scandinavian-paper-craft-12.html">here</a> I shall be making some miniature ones this year too and back in 2017 I showed how to cut out paper baubles <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2017/12/paper-and-scissors.html">here</a> as well as a fun take on the age-old Scandinavian tradition of weaving paper hearts to put on the Christmas tree <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2018/12/scandinavian-woven-decorations.html">here</a></p><p><br /></p>I have always been a sucker for stationery from a small child, collecting stickers, notebooks and even having a vast collection of paper serviettes, things have not really calmed down and in almost all of our cupboards in our home you will find some form of stationary still unused, waiting to be loved and many waiting to be made into something. I have a block of design sheets about A4 size that I decided needed using this year and with a little bit of folding became these lovely little Nisse. I am going to use them as name places. I've decided that this year has been pants enough and it's time to even dress up our everyday dining experience and have a bit of fun, I could do with some more cheer and joy and small things like this do it for me. <div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6doFQD7amJq1zBYM7-2BN_04HwGjoXyR3BqzQbTn3tuHotRNd7OjucOu1ohQpdiBX-R-7Apv_r_w_65s8GqjPDe3-ulaXy2qVEweROxW5XDwOIuSt1f70059LtA9xEm1cyf3Zxov7jNv0/s2048/IMG_20201029_190602.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6doFQD7amJq1zBYM7-2BN_04HwGjoXyR3BqzQbTn3tuHotRNd7OjucOu1ohQpdiBX-R-7Apv_r_w_65s8GqjPDe3-ulaXy2qVEweROxW5XDwOIuSt1f70059LtA9xEm1cyf3Zxov7jNv0/s320/IMG_20201029_190602.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can use fancy paper, wrapping <br />paper or plain paper to make these <br />Father Christmas place names, <br />but the thickness of the paper matters</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">You will need:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>2 sheets square paper any size, either different colours or different patterns OR 1 sheet of square paper that has a different colour of patterns on the reverse</div><div><br /></div><div>The thickness of the paper is important, too thick and the folding will not work, too thin and the Nisse will not stand up. Best thickness is that of origami paper to give you an idea. I first practised on normal A4 (cut to a square) photocopier paper and it worked well</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><p></p></div><div>I took several photos along the way but I cannot compete with the clever video that I found on line. If you are tempted to make these, watch the below video clip, see how simple and quick it is and have a go. Fun for adults and children alike. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://assets.pinterest.com/ext/embed.html?id=30680841201753704">Video tutorial</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also tried making these out of serviettes and although they will not stand up look good on a plate and a little festive. I used two paper serviettes here to achieve the two pattern look.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgC1j-NqjIpLmlkSYGSIJSkVQ_D9gzaKNTyOaU1lsb3I1ryL1HZ2BnIUo5h5Fsczk5DgDmIBXKEQ9n3eUrSEkAhWvahzOJcsu9iHgfEIBKLrNu8HdkZuEkcoGVfN_-T1cn2i0MHZ6Dipd/s2048/IMG_20201221_073821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgC1j-NqjIpLmlkSYGSIJSkVQ_D9gzaKNTyOaU1lsb3I1ryL1HZ2BnIUo5h5Fsczk5DgDmIBXKEQ9n3eUrSEkAhWvahzOJcsu9iHgfEIBKLrNu8HdkZuEkcoGVfN_-T1cn2i0MHZ6Dipd/s320/IMG_20201221_073821.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive serviette folding</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggXcg2w9T5v-ftRpuPehWoYfZbOaTfmI-PKYejcxhjG4tjSS2QqXSFe_Au3oeh2VOxPOC_qLcZSQ29DS43sMxaJXZxdefDGRlIYJ5-xn2u6-5YJdz_MqfHDEx_z74Zudb1BqzZIr_fL6m/s2048/IMG_20201220_185300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggXcg2w9T5v-ftRpuPehWoYfZbOaTfmI-PKYejcxhjG4tjSS2QqXSFe_Au3oeh2VOxPOC_qLcZSQ29DS43sMxaJXZxdefDGRlIYJ5-xn2u6-5YJdz_MqfHDEx_z74Zudb1BqzZIr_fL6m/s320/IMG_20201220_185300.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are using these for every <br />day place name settings </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span><span style="color: red;"> We are in the week of Christmas and wherever you are and although this maybe not be the Christmas you had hoped or planned on, I wish with all my heart some cheer and joy your way. </span><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-81962607258704722842020-12-20T07:26:00.001+00:002020-12-20T07:26:18.913+00:00Snow cookies<p>We now now into the week of Christmas, today is the fourth Sunday in Advent and the countdown really begins. Our home has </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTB3glMsCWxhb3_BG7puztyL-WuyrF7Yq-b-y8TfL-UYPj53KyKsPNwhotOpxRaxlm1W4uXR5PPILKZp1j7EJevAlC7BAT7o5sk9edF0GP85An-4YUjVVNE583ftG3QAmLcq_W0yJQe_k/s2048/IMG_20201212_151644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTB3glMsCWxhb3_BG7puztyL-WuyrF7Yq-b-y8TfL-UYPj53KyKsPNwhotOpxRaxlm1W4uXR5PPILKZp1j7EJevAlC7BAT7o5sk9edF0GP85An-4YUjVVNE583ftG3QAmLcq_W0yJQe_k/s320/IMG_20201212_151644.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow cookies with a warming spice </td></tr></tbody></table><br />smelt of baking now for a few weeks and unlike other years, we seem to be eating most of the cookie baking. I have delivered some cookie packages but not as many as I would have liked, hopefully I will be delivering more in the next few days. How are your Christmas preparations going. We have decided not to see older members of the family for obvious reason and it will make for a different Christmas. But we are holding on to being able to in the not so distant future, have a good old big family shindig once we are allowed and it is safe to do so.<p></p><p>Today's cookies are the 6th that I share out of the 7 that I am baking this year. these are traditionally made with only cocoa powder and the other spices are omitted but as it is the season for warmth, spices have been added today. Should you wish to omit the spices and travel don't he traditional route, then use 2 tbsp. of cocoa.</p><div class="fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-5fc2146a1a4a7" data-node="5fc2146a1a4a7" style="box-sizing: border-box; zoom: 1;"><div class="fl-module-content fl-node-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px; zoom: 1;"><div class="fl-rich-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #383838; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaoHUEvic-pRxTMNa9utG8pUTrF2geWuJiN2F4M5bHw3zFpTn3hRBN5m_Jms_ynYSFr49F1aUsJRyjKQjkgv9QfOrQez9dM3lvyXBb8BHE0AQhKJ6AIelk8kqagykQSi2Q9fUR5XRMd45/s2048/IMG_20201212_144712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaoHUEvic-pRxTMNa9utG8pUTrF2geWuJiN2F4M5bHw3zFpTn3hRBN5m_Jms_ynYSFr49F1aUsJRyjKQjkgv9QfOrQez9dM3lvyXBb8BHE0AQhKJ6AIelk8kqagykQSi2Q9fUR5XRMd45/s320/IMG_20201212_144712.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't hold back on the dusting of <br />the icing sugar, here more is better</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #383838; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBQsgb3YJw72nzyFszb4KaiOSRr2G3MabQXyoCKqsLBOdcSldpsWqN7PffkNNcyDUNZO2s2ECQLwsdy4nMhAdmuWzM38UMgud1dhUOJ59awt4hOf8Jl-5i4hzThBoFKpgqVtDbQx6d9Uq/s2048/IMG_20201212_144021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBQsgb3YJw72nzyFszb4KaiOSRr2G3MabQXyoCKqsLBOdcSldpsWqN7PffkNNcyDUNZO2s2ECQLwsdy4nMhAdmuWzM38UMgud1dhUOJ59awt4hOf8Jl-5i4hzThBoFKpgqVtDbQx6d9Uq/s320/IMG_20201212_144021.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rolled the dough balls in icing sugar although <br />it is nicer to roll them in caster sugar</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: inherit;"><b>Snøkake ~ </b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: inherit;"><b>Spiced Snow Cookies</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>You will need: </b></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">150g sugar</span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">75g softened butter</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 egg</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">300 plain flour</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 1/2 tsp cocoa powder</span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 tsp ground ginger</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 tsp ground cloves</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 tsp ground cardamom</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">1 tsp baking powder</span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">sugar for rolling the dough into</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">icing sugar for dusting</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENVPTVNQerROqSFbh5H3tvwHyPIWigFy3fk8L30gKxumBupAntbNkMnQyLLqgNJRwjuA3YerqmcstTFVVDYieEPnE4wBNpUSyifiifqSTbN_ClChArZXufiJgKQSl6lQrcYFi9MFY_EaQ/s2048/IMG_20201212_144334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENVPTVNQerROqSFbh5H3tvwHyPIWigFy3fk8L30gKxumBupAntbNkMnQyLLqgNJRwjuA3YerqmcstTFVVDYieEPnE4wBNpUSyifiifqSTbN_ClChArZXufiJgKQSl6lQrcYFi9MFY_EaQ/s320/IMG_20201212_144334.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place the Snow balls spaced apart <br />as they will spread a bit on baking</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: inherit;"><span face="Muli, sans-serif">♥ </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix together the butter and sugar until light and creamy.</span></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Add the egg gradually and continue to mix.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Mix in the spices and the baking powder to form a dough.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Place in cling film and leave in the fridge for a minimum of half an hour.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Pre heat the oven to 175 degrees Celcius and line a couple of baking sheets</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Divide the dough into three equal parts. Then divide each of those balls into eight equal parts, leaving you with 24 pieces of dough.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Roll each piece into a ball and then roll them in a bowl of sugar. </span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Place on lined baking sheets leaving room between each as they will spread a little.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Dust over each dough ball with a very generous coating of icing sugar.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the cookies have begun to crack.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before transferring onto a wire rack</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #383838; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">♥ These cookies can be frozen, although I have not done that, but must be thawed thoroughly before serving. Otherwise they should last a week to ten days in an air tight container.</span></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgtbDkoljvfaxdyBA3TFcWKGBYS3nvf6sdbc0ncJTKsl3gdUOMssDLoO0DGT7TnYV19DaAmu1z6L0K1_Cuzc0atj3KwP_9DhZx_ezJModzkHhF3JOjh46bY2VJohRuM6sJx7esUNpIT19/s2048/IMG_20201212_145705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgtbDkoljvfaxdyBA3TFcWKGBYS3nvf6sdbc0ncJTKsl3gdUOMssDLoO0DGT7TnYV19DaAmu1z6L0K1_Cuzc0atj3KwP_9DhZx_ezJModzkHhF3JOjh46bY2VJohRuM6sJx7esUNpIT19/s320/IMG_20201212_145705.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake until the cookies have just begun to crack</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCks4vqEcTi0_1LBo7gGp-9uRch_HdFDoeQHBpxvtIzUll79_RAFirKYnyD3JTlLifNsQnVxsvQ1uhTU3TJqNgQbqqZj3nY5MAzoT-2J9qY72nOmZVP18-DmeFzeMiRdw3p_0eUAUpjX2q/s2048/IMG_20201212_151644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCks4vqEcTi0_1LBo7gGp-9uRch_HdFDoeQHBpxvtIzUll79_RAFirKYnyD3JTlLifNsQnVxsvQ1uhTU3TJqNgQbqqZj3nY5MAzoT-2J9qY72nOmZVP18-DmeFzeMiRdw3p_0eUAUpjX2q/s320/IMG_20201212_151644.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snø kake ~ Eat and be merry!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span><span style="color: red;"> Government</span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;"> announcement yesterday has changed our plans for Christmas, but we will try and keep the Christmas cheer, sending you warmth and good wishes in this difficult time </span><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></b></span></p>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-69337274052003430942020-12-18T17:29:00.001+00:002020-12-19T14:31:18.440+00:00Christmas nibbles <div style="text-align: left;">The Scandinavians love almonds and use them almost whenever they can in baking over the Christmas period. We have so</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xCho4GgN9xSXLV08KA4bYxmhwE2MxmT85C6tZr-fAoOOXmK6UBUNKavScs8BDfcdABCWlNEjQjpbp0m98z8e32cl4tQcKza3NzKT_yJp6ovLkSzoCrag98rs4hjdFGPAHR2PEMJctWYa/s2048/IMG_20201217_182238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xCho4GgN9xSXLV08KA4bYxmhwE2MxmT85C6tZr-fAoOOXmK6UBUNKavScs8BDfcdABCWlNEjQjpbp0m98z8e32cl4tQcKza3NzKT_yJp6ovLkSzoCrag98rs4hjdFGPAHR2PEMJctWYa/s320/IMG_20201217_182238.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gløgg and Brente mandler <br />(burnet caramelised almonds)</td></tr></tbody></table>many different types of cookies and cakes, that I've lost count. Children receive marzipan pigs as stocking gifts and one of the biggest sellers for the sweet table is a box of Anton Berg chocolate and marzipan sweets. This year to accompany out gløgg drinking whilst decorating the tree listening to festive songs we nibbled on brente mandler, directly translated to 'burnt almonds'. These are so moorish it's dangerous. But they are a quick make and easy to rustle up in a few minutes. Need some comfort nibbles, these will do very nicely. <p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Brente Mandler ~ </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>C</b></span><b style="color: red; font-size: large;">aramelsied Burnt Almonds</b></div><p></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">You will need:</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">250g almonds</div><div style="text-align: left;">125g icing sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">75ml water</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v6CtvSKoq3AYKSmcyAEOxF5CvFLqREI3aEa0kHlru-NRRMzDPYIEQZ8mV6lffdbBGDbDtZ7x0XVtqDZ1F5cewJu-y3No9BKnfSo1o3z_dFA6hlCEUnLvW_Rw7CnfDPLpdp4bj6Uu1dmc/s2048/IMG_20201217_180206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v6CtvSKoq3AYKSmcyAEOxF5CvFLqREI3aEa0kHlru-NRRMzDPYIEQZ8mV6lffdbBGDbDtZ7x0XVtqDZ1F5cewJu-y3No9BKnfSo1o3z_dFA6hlCEUnLvW_Rw7CnfDPLpdp4bj6Uu1dmc/s320/IMG_20201217_180206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almonds, water and icing sugar <br />is all you need to make caramelised almonds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️Place all the ingredients in a shallow frying pan and stir until the water has boiled and the icing sugar has melted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee7h9O9hCrYr3IOrds4EZq2mppA0rm-008z1-AO5Y6x6fzlgPvs1l2OIYrbATJVV65wXHl4EDRl6UU_11AmQC4nev52AntIj54Ff1OVEe8NqNF82HTpraiLzqhQi6-G1ZMPtehJ-Tj4gO/s2048/IMG_20201217_180308.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee7h9O9hCrYr3IOrds4EZq2mppA0rm-008z1-AO5Y6x6fzlgPvs1l2OIYrbATJVV65wXHl4EDRl6UU_11AmQC4nev52AntIj54Ff1OVEe8NqNF82HTpraiLzqhQi6-G1ZMPtehJ-Tj4gO/s320/IMG_20201217_180308.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir continuously to avoid <br />the almonds actually burning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>❤️Once the water has absorbed and the icing sugar has dissolved, the almonds will look like they are coated in a white goo. I couldn't photograph this as this is the stage where you need to stir vigorously. This is to ensure the almonds do not actually burn. Keep stirring until the sugar has caramelised. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I1dKpKaARhSU2kTv7vREj6o16kYnpXEDil9B0c-jf-wb56Mch8MzrGUGb97mwi-fxN4W3fBgYQvfcKnMoUNjJGTNGwoWAnfjFgz4KpGe362KPv695MFNJGgsc861sgkCv-dvjQFsX7Jd/s2048/IMG_20201217_181141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I1dKpKaARhSU2kTv7vREj6o16kYnpXEDil9B0c-jf-wb56Mch8MzrGUGb97mwi-fxN4W3fBgYQvfcKnMoUNjJGTNGwoWAnfjFgz4KpGe362KPv695MFNJGgsc861sgkCv-dvjQFsX7Jd/s320/IMG_20201217_181141.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working speedily tip the almonds onto <br />an oiled baking sheet and separate them</td></tr></tbody></table><p>❤️Again working quickly tip the almonds out of the pan and onto a pre-oiled baking sheet. Using two forks, one in each hand separate the almonds from each other. Don't try doing this with your hands! The almonds cool and become hard quite quickly so make sure you separate as fast as you can. </p><p>❤️Place on a dish and serve with drinks, preferably some gløgg. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2uNLCo4jPordDQNMlkSJpOQhNz_mlj-jAPmStMQ8ikgmpOaL7BMLGJ1pwWftLvHQM0MCCHNWuOkZqh1KHukigPQsMtbphxK28hOZfNJD7IBE_KN8jtjoVgUPe5MxFzHiqYs7LfApOJux/s2048/IMG_20201217_181749.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2uNLCo4jPordDQNMlkSJpOQhNz_mlj-jAPmStMQ8ikgmpOaL7BMLGJ1pwWftLvHQM0MCCHNWuOkZqh1KHukigPQsMtbphxK28hOZfNJD7IBE_KN8jtjoVgUPe5MxFzHiqYs7LfApOJux/s320/IMG_20201217_181749.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brent mandler ~ Caramelised burnt almonds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKSyyjf27sA9vISS3WOeygiD-vKJ32TvB8SekGvfAotmZ687LbzuEmxv3DDlMWOWvtz_c253j0v1LLkHR6lDy8b7W_yR-Zpa4GG9AoqP_QO1u4R-3smMH5giHZyYh7BCYkiICScTB9cG/s2048/IMG_20201217_182252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKSyyjf27sA9vISS3WOeygiD-vKJ32TvB8SekGvfAotmZ687LbzuEmxv3DDlMWOWvtz_c253j0v1LLkHR6lDy8b7W_yR-Zpa4GG9AoqP_QO1u4R-3smMH5giHZyYh7BCYkiICScTB9cG/s320/IMG_20201217_182252.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warming gløgg and brente mandler, so very festive</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0L6PhW8mnXSlBdiXnAYKGoqZzQtzQ9FWh27fb9leINFK66lWD_EOavvUpsMaxaFVYyK8s90HWgH8L49ASWSEG4mbAiMLlicDB5IoO97-awoW8rgZYscs7UGvZFgKx2wZM-IkXgQ4UZCo/s2048/IMG_20201218_091324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0L6PhW8mnXSlBdiXnAYKGoqZzQtzQ9FWh27fb9leINFK66lWD_EOavvUpsMaxaFVYyK8s90HWgH8L49ASWSEG4mbAiMLlicDB5IoO97-awoW8rgZYscs7UGvZFgKx2wZM-IkXgQ4UZCo/s320/IMG_20201218_091324.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brente mandler make a lovely gift too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Do you make edibles to gift at Christmas? </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What are your favourite nibbles for Christmas? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></b></p>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-9117711040615421562020-12-18T08:14:00.000+00:002020-12-18T08:14:05.034+00:00Gløgg toppers <p>It's the season of gløgg (mulled wine) and pepperkake (Scandinavian spiced biacuits). Both often drunk and eaten together. Normally house visit after house visit by the end kf the winter most Norwegians are ready to call it a day on bith these foodie delights. It's a bit like putting the decorwaway after Christmas, you loved having them out but its time to have a minimalist feel back in the home. That sais we are still goimg strong in the wintwr season so why am I blabbering on about having too much of a good thing. </p><p>I decided it woukd be lovely to combine the too in a slightly different way and to create a gløgg topper. Im nit thr fitst to think of this, it is a bit akin to how tapas began, putting thefood as a lid on red wine to combat the flies. Well we dont have flies as its not hot but its a fun way to present a cookie.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQuLxN7dR6hvDCWoCsDi_1U8TwbHg8PxDvpNDN9bBHcYw8dA9Ltm-BXhDRCoSV4efJNQro8u9EhvAa3cDYV4b6tf6Q1GIFRk2_VFk4scGGKSkuwhrBTa1fVUwgj_6RxEORYWQGGFSwlHA/w200-h200/IMG_20201215_235255+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gløgg cookie topper</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Glogg cookie toppers</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red;"><b>You will need:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">310g plain flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">180g butter, softened</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">200g sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Add the eggs one at a time, continuing to mix. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Stir in the vanilla extract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Add the flour to the mixture and mix until the dough comes together. It is really important not to over mix as the cookies will be tough. So stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Divide the dough into two equal parts and chill in the fridge for a minimum of an hour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celcius and line a couple of baking sheets with greaseproof paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥ Roll out one of the dough balls onto icing floured worktop, into as close as you can get to a rectangle about 5-6 mm thick. Then cut out long strips about 5 mm wide. I used a pizza wheel to cut the strips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOfSnbu2gAVKRSXZv2Hj3uYlghfN97FJ3MxSiZi0uoas0It9_vZWc7ghTnkHTXc8_ZpumTKxwaAe3B0HivQNtnrhtDeXMMDiX6krYextkPBHUGl7SE-y_AUaY5zSQYPMGOf8vP4-G0w8/s2048/IMG_20201214_160850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOfSnbu2gAVKRSXZv2Hj3uYlghfN97FJ3MxSiZi0uoas0It9_vZWc7ghTnkHTXc8_ZpumTKxwaAe3B0HivQNtnrhtDeXMMDiX6krYextkPBHUGl7SE-y_AUaY5zSQYPMGOf8vP4-G0w8/s320/IMG_20201214_160850.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a pizza cutter for speed and straight(ish) lines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span face=""roboto regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #282829;">♥ Layout half the strips in a vertical direction with a couple of mm gap between each piece.</span></div><div><span face=""roboto regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #282829;">♥ Fold over carefully every other strip, so that the strip is folded down over itself when folding be careful not to crack the dough. See photo for clarification., folder over strips are B. </span></div><div><span face=""roboto regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #282829;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fYlb_HHX5CqkUiFUty3vjdcQ7PaIoP6Tx_yvT8E5OXfON5ytWXhCVIQT2e1IrzeejmcxISYdA-nh8qW4c7LqjtIRNmVVTsJ-oXS32-XYijMb2FbEUbU70mX6cQRzq9YaEkpdaWkYD0_L/s2048/58280.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2035" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fYlb_HHX5CqkUiFUty3vjdcQ7PaIoP6Tx_yvT8E5OXfON5ytWXhCVIQT2e1IrzeejmcxISYdA-nh8qW4c7LqjtIRNmVVTsJ-oXS32-XYijMb2FbEUbU70mX6cQRzq9YaEkpdaWkYD0_L/w398-h400/58280.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold over alternate vertical strips <br />each time you place a horizontal strip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span face=""roboto regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #282829;">♥ Next, take another strip and lay it horizontally (see photo and the green hand-drawn strip) into the empty space, so that it lays on top of the remaining vertical strips. Flip back the folded strips so that they now lay over the horizontal strip.</span></div><div>♥ Now fold over the remaining strips, shown as A in the photograph, and lay the next horizontal strip down. Repeat this process until you have used all your strips.</div><div>♥ Very gentle roll over the lattice formed strips to help them adhere to each other, but do not press too hard.</div><div>♥ Take the cup or glass that you will use for serving your gløgg in and use it as a cookie-cutter. See photograph. Please each cut out gløgg topper onto the lined baking sheets. These should not swell on baking so can be placed fairly closely next to each other.</div><div>♥ repeat with the second dough ball or leave in the fridge for another time, will keep for a few days.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxylfSBq1dSCzG7gNrZdMiD1YiwrPbhvg_Sw1mEiU0JsGLAmM9LhUe8F8sjp_WSfV7Rt2S9lGcuN44ZEiBqECRM2hhiMCCk-HcPnfEhuV-l2nWKXabkxQJbCL1rlRt11e45dZ-eljBrrW/s2048/IMG_20201214_162135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxylfSBq1dSCzG7gNrZdMiD1YiwrPbhvg_Sw1mEiU0JsGLAmM9LhUe8F8sjp_WSfV7Rt2S9lGcuN44ZEiBqECRM2hhiMCCk-HcPnfEhuV-l2nWKXabkxQJbCL1rlRt11e45dZ-eljBrrW/s320/IMG_20201214_162135.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use the cup or glass you are going <br />to serve your gløin as a cutter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGXLTCr7I5s-zgwjrbdPl_TLNR27GiEQHILPQOlAb2x5CK2k5-QhlhL5pgOIMIagdqAZIi0c09ISLJR5oL_ym_BmLrkmuhX7k5vpYYH1E-FVRN0_aTnl23XpoCf7aVdBaQVuNASa-7kOd/s2048/IMG_20201214_162419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGXLTCr7I5s-zgwjrbdPl_TLNR27GiEQHILPQOlAb2x5CK2k5-QhlhL5pgOIMIagdqAZIi0c09ISLJR5oL_ym_BmLrkmuhX7k5vpYYH1E-FVRN0_aTnl23XpoCf7aVdBaQVuNASa-7kOd/s320/IMG_20201214_162419.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gently tease the pastry out from the cup <br />and place on the lined baking sheet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw5b0WTd2zSpUcYpqumCgmIzkz2ARz7s3uH9m03BFGhKNXuf4hefGizvnnVOeDjm0SLKV0RsJWVs3y_hcNIzxqVoVPV6Pa-Zi9DFPhHq14vlhOrLQpho3m0K8VrHJ5psSPLp9_oxjfx6i/s2048/IMG_20201214_163246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw5b0WTd2zSpUcYpqumCgmIzkz2ARz7s3uH9m03BFGhKNXuf4hefGizvnnVOeDjm0SLKV0RsJWVs3y_hcNIzxqVoVPV6Pa-Zi9DFPhHq14vlhOrLQpho3m0K8VrHJ5psSPLp9_oxjfx6i/s320/IMG_20201214_163246.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can place the gløgg toppers quite <br />closely together on the baking sheet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>♥ Bake for about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEfSXxbpCDowJe-ad_C7pTENVbyh2NoTlzH31Bzz6hntOBAuXemWZw8blz75heqqOibuMV1rEuWkvMG49en2hNeR21oRAoIIehNgLoZjLCS1R_jNqK3x3ivY4W45XY82d_l3uWtGv68ek/s2048/IMG_20201214_164121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEfSXxbpCDowJe-ad_C7pTENVbyh2NoTlzH31Bzz6hntOBAuXemWZw8blz75heqqOibuMV1rEuWkvMG49en2hNeR21oRAoIIehNgLoZjLCS1R_jNqK3x3ivY4W45XY82d_l3uWtGv68ek/s320/IMG_20201214_164121.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake till golden brown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>♥ Cool on the baking sheets, do not remove to a wire rack.</div><div>♥ These gløgg toppers should hold in an airtight tie for about a week or could be frozen for about a month, remembering to thaw completely before serving.</div><div>Just as you are serving your drinks pop a gløgg topper over the warmed gløgg.</div><div>♥ The gløgg toppers should not be over the gløgg glass for too long or they will become soft and soggy!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgfpn9dAQW2H5aPVhznEkuhJGtwcjJPrTH9RIwWnPP3ySVKGqHvKuG7hzvPp39KOEOV5oPXETK2ftQo1w95tCiw1Lmfqiyd3p707u0ZHvHR4Hgne5AXMOcHzjP71aGNG7VliNFB0Kc0mq/s2048/IMG_20201215_213532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgfpn9dAQW2H5aPVhznEkuhJGtwcjJPrTH9RIwWnPP3ySVKGqHvKuG7hzvPp39KOEOV5oPXETK2ftQo1w95tCiw1Lmfqiyd3p707u0ZHvHR4Hgne5AXMOcHzjP71aGNG7VliNFB0Kc0mq/s320/IMG_20201215_213532.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skål! as they say in Norway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9X65_491c1LDxkgFDJajW7lDu_u7rZZZMW7uawK_D-Rf8iWtrDsJI0yXNrLGzUyjPAZmSCQV3JnfZWozwuxBUsXjP5VOR0H9ZcmZHhSsh_bG1W4rB97CljVF5sH3rO27FerGUPZ5aiuV/s2048/IMG_20201217_182252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9X65_491c1LDxkgFDJajW7lDu_u7rZZZMW7uawK_D-Rf8iWtrDsJI0yXNrLGzUyjPAZmSCQV3JnfZWozwuxBUsXjP5VOR0H9ZcmZHhSsh_bG1W4rB97CljVF5sH3rO27FerGUPZ5aiuV/s320/IMG_20201217_182252.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A festive tray of gløgg, gløgg toppers and Norwegian <br />Brent mangler ( burnt almond) more on this tomorrow </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHZj8vLUF9iM-ldo02C2mDup0SsH6gjjL9lzaaSBbANj0QnZBS51yS5vUuwfNdsc_6aQOKAuf0F5rQi-og03m4ORO5X0LQYQovPVRmyuhZ25kT0On3BKuWbJZKq6XyqHQJoyK9551hy2K/s2048/IMG_20201217_224650.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHZj8vLUF9iM-ldo02C2mDup0SsH6gjjL9lzaaSBbANj0QnZBS51yS5vUuwfNdsc_6aQOKAuf0F5rQi-og03m4ORO5X0LQYQovPVRmyuhZ25kT0On3BKuWbJZKq6XyqHQJoyK9551hy2K/s320/IMG_20201217_224650.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope you are all feeling the festive cheer </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>❤️What are your festive plans this weekend?❤️</b></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #282829; font-family: "roboto regular", sans-serif; hyphens: none; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: initial; margin-inline: initial; margin: 1rem 0px;"><br /></p></div></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-70662107303340741852020-12-17T08:25:00.001+00:002020-12-17T09:16:04.559+00:00Christmas drinks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winter months need winter warmth and we need to create it in the northern hemisphere whenever and wherever we can. The Scandinavians are very good at creating warmth where you would think none can be found. They manage to eek out and to take pleasure in the smallest of moments and it is this that I think helps them combat the dark and the cold, it is a part of what the overly used word hygge is about but only part as this word is so much more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here in the UK, we have mulled wine and we associate it with the run-up to Christmas, in Norway and in the wider Scandinavia it is drunk and enjoyed throughout winter. The warmth it brings with a mixture of sweet with spices makes it very different from the English mulled wine. These drinks are not the same, similar but not the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Cranberry Gløgg</b></span> ~ My favourite with or without the vodka or red wine, great for non-drinkers and designated drivers as well as the young ones. This is such a good all-rounder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGvMBL3ZrI2BRybq05yRGhatFmqkci9gSkYXrE6iZGuH5XHDde0NuSnN6WJYUntHhYDhG3SIgrjaHDPriYO2zwJzLhveGZ40clt403qoKzccfr5xYk84ZqetA0N60-nbBafzCakkcKR4t/s2048/IMG_20201217_081545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGvMBL3ZrI2BRybq05yRGhatFmqkci9gSkYXrE6iZGuH5XHDde0NuSnN6WJYUntHhYDhG3SIgrjaHDPriYO2zwJzLhveGZ40clt403qoKzccfr5xYk84ZqetA0N60-nbBafzCakkcKR4t/s320/IMG_20201217_081545.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry gløgg with cranberries and an orange slice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red;">You will need:</span> </b>makes a litre</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1l cranberry juice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100g sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (if you struggle to source this use 2 tsp of cardamon kernels crushed)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 tsp ground ginger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 cloves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">large stick of cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp chilli flakes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100g cranberries or 80g raisins and a handful of chopped almonds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vodka or red wine ~ optional</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pour 200ml of the juice into a saucepan with the sugar and spices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bring to the boil and simmer for a 3-4 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strain the liquid and return to the pan with the remainder of the cranberry juice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bring back to simmering point adding in the chilli flakes and cranberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If using the vodka or red wine of the vodka or a bottle of the wine and warm back up without boiling. add in a good splash now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Serve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Apple Gløgg</b></span> ~ My husband finds Norwegian glogg a tad too sweet so he prefers the lesser-known but equally Scandinavian gløgg with an apple base. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRzKZRpKQKWDfAV7FlaTCP7i5k_YGvPmhO1sMGkMsEJqXfc9Sppe9fFfCd9EemLKZGvkH_NXWVmB9Pw1LKOx9bGnCIjT7lSNc4eeOvjrq7fQE6XKvHxgUB1L1Izo0lhVSqjqks0aQSyY1/s2048/IMG_20201217_075421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRzKZRpKQKWDfAV7FlaTCP7i5k_YGvPmhO1sMGkMsEJqXfc9Sppe9fFfCd9EemLKZGvkH_NXWVmB9Pw1LKOx9bGnCIjT7lSNc4eeOvjrq7fQE6XKvHxgUB1L1Izo0lhVSqjqks0aQSyY1/w320-h320/IMG_20201217_075421.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top with a thin slice of apple, here I used a <br />cookie cutter to remove the centre of the apple slice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>You will need: </b></span>makes a litre</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1l good quality apple juice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4 tbsp honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2 cinnamon sticks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 1/2 tsp cardamon kernels, crushed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1/2 tsp whole cloves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2 star anise</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">orange peel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brandy, a good splash or two~ optional</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">very thin slices of apple for decoration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pour 200ml of the juice into a saucepan with the honey, spices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bring to the boil and simmer for a 3-4 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Take the pan away from the heat and add the rest of the apple juice. Allow the gløgg to rest awhile, the longer you leave it, the stronger the spice taste will be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Strain the glogg and warm the gløgg back up, add the brandy if using but do not boil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pour into glasses and add a thin slice of apple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #282829; font-family: "roboto regular", sans-serif; hyphens: none; line-height: 1.5; margin-block: initial; margin-inline: initial; margin: 1rem 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMZb9W6HMKmXAgX66dirZ8bTwHiBmfnN5ov3wjfC-W41tYpbJ3UnLT-2zQe9XTP6dd3gtJKIIyJj09pvEKIJ0wBMgDuau081zVQO7eePvNT8DhvRE1Pu1Oa1ZhyzbU5-Tmzu3t3mFTn2N/w400-h400/IMG_20201215_213532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you see my gløgg topped with a gløgg cookie, <br />more on this tomorrow!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X0VkJsafrsVWMHf9KlItPpTGXoqM1NqcCXamjlN9EZKvEQoM3nnnzF7ng3CjcuhG4Ql63l_swwc-a6qtWFc5_viVtnyClj8xNKt59rpQYraIeToxB146RHvbiuCREa2jwpj-h2u7AD62/s2048/IMG_20200918_210207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X0VkJsafrsVWMHf9KlItPpTGXoqM1NqcCXamjlN9EZKvEQoM3nnnzF7ng3CjcuhG4Ql63l_swwc-a6qtWFc5_viVtnyClj8xNKt59rpQYraIeToxB146RHvbiuCREa2jwpj-h2u7AD62/w400-h400/IMG_20200918_210207.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your gløgg can be topped with any garnish, traditionally Norwegians <br />add chopped almonds and raisins, but here I have a <br />slow oven-baked orange slice and a <br />slice a passion fruit to add a more modern edge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzCq5Jx37Ga010BcQJ7jwJ251MK1UCE7zIX_afc7ehy5lg9-ebhvPsBpXBaQVUm6g7_ZfSgGNu1HZh89SMxkTf-9o-pcwCw42tP2RvAXmkuekpEw1D4U067qVm5gvn1V7qtOgmy2Z2YC_/s2048/IMG_20201217_081711.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="2048" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzCq5Jx37Ga010BcQJ7jwJ251MK1UCE7zIX_afc7ehy5lg9-ebhvPsBpXBaQVUm6g7_ZfSgGNu1HZh89SMxkTf-9o-pcwCw42tP2RvAXmkuekpEw1D4U067qVm5gvn1V7qtOgmy2Z2YC_/w400-h316/IMG_20201217_081711.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple gløgg on the left and Cranberry gløgg on the right</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥ </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> What is your favourite Christmas tipple? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-91714150230992492362020-12-16T00:44:00.002+00:002020-12-16T11:34:47.359+00:00Christmas light<div style="text-align: left;">My first married Christmas we decided to hunker down and not spend it with family. We did not want to begin a tradition of one year at his parents and one year at mine. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a strange yet magical Christmas, <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZXNDMe_6iyLw2xAvUJaPg9aJ5n0s1SMdCz2FNvbQ4uqGJq3EnOxAr9bHY7vLH-_nKr1TuTDvPp3l888L-5sVlt31aqoJKszNzaRLr_u8h6a-kU__zV4RvxaZRzmZJGwaofk47xT3FDxk/s640/Image-1+%252814%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZXNDMe_6iyLw2xAvUJaPg9aJ5n0s1SMdCz2FNvbQ4uqGJq3EnOxAr9bHY7vLH-_nKr1TuTDvPp3l888L-5sVlt31aqoJKszNzaRLr_u8h6a-kU__zV4RvxaZRzmZJGwaofk47xT3FDxk/s320/Image-1+%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt dough heart ornaments for the Christmas tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br />made all the more special because John sat with me to create our own ornaments for our very first Christmas tree together. It set the tone for all the years that have followed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That year, 26 Christmas' ago we made heart-shaped troll deig (salt dough) ornaments and hung them on the tree with red ribbon. We made them with love and laughter and who knew they would last for more than ten years. We are now on our third set of red troll deig hearts and every year as we hang them, enough to fill the tree, my heart leaps a little in joy.</div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the many things that I love about the winter and the lead up to Christmas is all the lights, so many cultures have the same idea, light at this time of year is so important. Adding that much-needed cheer and lightness to otherwise dark difficult and daunting months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using troll deig and inspiration from a tealight holder that we have had for many years, I decided to try my hand at 3D troll deig and see if I could recreate my own tea light cone tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKG-mC4kK5LOW_62KJjkQMEyvpUjRB7Jj_ELgcM37EOjLhgHSXvRa33c3R5XaoScWQRaeKy2z6VvXKasKYg464EJznQIma1sVUAAh1esKHyBUOlXoCwyZtGETxW36kx-4W17FYrrRQb9w/s2048/IMG_20201215_132301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKG-mC4kK5LOW_62KJjkQMEyvpUjRB7Jj_ELgcM37EOjLhgHSXvRa33c3R5XaoScWQRaeKy2z6VvXKasKYg464EJznQIma1sVUAAh1esKHyBUOlXoCwyZtGETxW36kx-4W17FYrrRQb9w/s320/IMG_20201215_132301.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tealight cone tree that gave me the inspiration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zs4R5bUi_zTUwjFd2mpBcrjwzmInWyIYSW3gXLvATc9u9p3n4km5GQRKbKu-7BlpbN-0-CQZ4EuTZ9ifaUjDeVAbk8osEjx3wGd3P3GD-_mv_wJyvwqkTT8GK3wMuqfIvs4-HUeJKnk9/s2048/IMG_20201211_172836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zs4R5bUi_zTUwjFd2mpBcrjwzmInWyIYSW3gXLvATc9u9p3n4km5GQRKbKu-7BlpbN-0-CQZ4EuTZ9ifaUjDeVAbk8osEjx3wGd3P3GD-_mv_wJyvwqkTT8GK3wMuqfIvs4-HUeJKnk9/s320/IMG_20201211_172836.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can clearly see the two I made but in the dim <br />light of December days, I think I can get away with it</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Troll deig (salt dough)</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>You will need:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">250g plain flour </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">125g salt </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">100-150ml water </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">template or design your own </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">cardstock </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">pen </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">ruler </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">knife</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">small cutters or a straw</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">sellotape</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">white acrylic paint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRu5J0ezbu4PDNy0mhfu1ItaNbEzGVCF1iSchAxWnfsdKclXMAOlJddjc-lEIZJhxZOecBFYFw-JVCrPwN3Dy8W_za746kSkkNyptxqZw52FrMQjC7pt829xhxyu_nLQ1YjsGMs08gwLo/s1928/IMG-0107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1928" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRu5J0ezbu4PDNy0mhfu1ItaNbEzGVCF1iSchAxWnfsdKclXMAOlJddjc-lEIZJhxZOecBFYFw-JVCrPwN3Dy8W_za746kSkkNyptxqZw52FrMQjC7pt829xhxyu_nLQ1YjsGMs08gwLo/w400-h288/IMG-0107.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Template for cones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>For the template:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Cut out the template for cones onto heavy-duty card stock, the large cone needs sides of 15cm and the small cone needs sides of 9cm.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red;">For the dough:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Mix the flour and salt thoroughly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Add the water slowly until the mixture begins to form a dough and you can make it into a ball. You do not want the dough to be too dry nor too wet, unhelpful of me I know, but it should be pliable without cracking and not sticky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zvBlnb5duM_eidpBoZZAqOZ_QExQz8MmCbyBtkZg92c9vUi5Wrbxmfr4jY06cw77Jx7gZQIJsi0qmdKELibChWQ2uak2XflEkBgJv46bmO0kMkaX2Ml12qlX7x-vnnOJ5AIdKz5MYc2b/s2048/IMG_0029.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zvBlnb5duM_eidpBoZZAqOZ_QExQz8MmCbyBtkZg92c9vUi5Wrbxmfr4jY06cw77Jx7gZQIJsi0qmdKELibChWQ2uak2XflEkBgJv46bmO0kMkaX2Ml12qlX7x-vnnOJ5AIdKz5MYc2b/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The salt dough needs to be pliable without <br />being sticky or cracking too much</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Divide the ball into two pieces and then on a floured surface roll out one piece to about a thickness<br /> of 3-4 mm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Place the template on the dough and cut out, I used a ruler to create straight edges and a sharp knife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxrG3L7IGjBbWm0bv6MQzN60rWwxo2PSLbtCAdW1mMSEShSzqwqjS4GV4nHIJPiR4nsRxJo7FcIp4KTYiyiLTBc7bd1dUDpKpfgZs7ozRT2tzARLTLkbYbQf4pGXU-fsWG4KR8Mw7NTLs/s2048/IMG_0028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxrG3L7IGjBbWm0bv6MQzN60rWwxo2PSLbtCAdW1mMSEShSzqwqjS4GV4nHIJPiR4nsRxJo7FcIp4KTYiyiLTBc7bd1dUDpKpfgZs7ozRT2tzARLTLkbYbQf4pGXU-fsWG4KR8Mw7NTLs/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use the template to cut our the cone shape</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>♥ Carefully cut out shapes for the light to be able to shine through, I used a very small cake decorating star cutter, but you can use a straw or cut out shapes freehand. Remember to not cut out too many as that will reduce the stability of the 3D shape.<div>♥ Where the area is for the fold/glue line score some little marks on the salt dough to aid adhesion when forming into a 3D shape.<br /><div>♥ Shape the template into a 3D form and secure on the fold glue line with sellotape.</div><div>♥ Next carefully repeat the template process with the salt dough, forming it into a 3D shape and carefully joining the seams together with a little bit of water and some gentle pressure. The salt dough cone is fragile at this stage, so carefully place it over the 3D template and place on a baking sheet.</div><div>♥ Bake in the oven on the lowest setting for about 3 hours or until solid.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93eGvPJd6toidVnSsPM2dtsMA42rP5hcS5yKNSwrslK-_wdBQCvwcfms4g-WT7WFziXiuMYCajlLTuFv6Np17ObW2zyp0nT7Tceu5PNufS9panqPX2bWJ390tM05gPQq8-cUZkAsIKHcR/s2048/IMG_0030.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93eGvPJd6toidVnSsPM2dtsMA42rP5hcS5yKNSwrslK-_wdBQCvwcfms4g-WT7WFziXiuMYCajlLTuFv6Np17ObW2zyp0nT7Tceu5PNufS9panqPX2bWJ390tM05gPQq8-cUZkAsIKHcR/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake the salt dough on the lowest temperature <br />of your oven for about 3 hours</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>♥ Once completely cooled, paint with acrylic paint, remember to NOT paint the inside!</div><div>♥ I have been using a real tea light inside mine but it would perhaps be safer using an electrical battery operated tea light instead. I never leave mine unattended.</div><div><br /></div><div>♥ With any spare salt dough, you can make ornaments or anything you like. I made some star and heart cocktail stick toppers, they can be used for food or for jazzing up your house plants for Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftWooOCnnqBgOI6JEEzEwmEPHeBEIha-hcm9MWx-Ai0Todd4Rbszhi2D3SOFDtaJVxGQDbDSNUCTFFaasTFejW5KjBZEVStg7-0X5v_RIvZxLfp3qB_aGcjFuIO77ujGKZHFdkcwyCz0f/s2048/IMG_20201215_155406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftWooOCnnqBgOI6JEEzEwmEPHeBEIha-hcm9MWx-Ai0Todd4Rbszhi2D3SOFDtaJVxGQDbDSNUCTFFaasTFejW5KjBZEVStg7-0X5v_RIvZxLfp3qB_aGcjFuIO77ujGKZHFdkcwyCz0f/s320/IMG_20201215_155406.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add salt dough decorations to your house plants</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbVL6BtcZ2Sk03r1H121VGPZI0KvexLbiVp3UeWoFqToRnaUZHt27kcC41k-e_yhFno5u_VmG2S517EE0LdrdGVRFA82VZkadF4RGhnZ-gT_pFmJsFiQoFVrEjUyMw-ACiz3Ql-GFJjbL/s2048/IMG_20201215_155635.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbVL6BtcZ2Sk03r1H121VGPZI0KvexLbiVp3UeWoFqToRnaUZHt27kcC41k-e_yhFno5u_VmG2S517EE0LdrdGVRFA82VZkadF4RGhnZ-gT_pFmJsFiQoFVrEjUyMw-ACiz3Ql-GFJjbL/s320/IMG_20201215_155635.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Fimo Nisse, salt dough <br />tea light Christmas cone trees and <br />plant decorations made from salt dough too</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrDSfSAlz_Yi9KTMQYhLKBzFyoittOerp0KpEuK3Woo6bh0LTtwGdN5zn5g4_XlCUfnU5s-zO5-8tk0Z1uezK7lGouItzdancByf1_CbaX4779G7Ot6KmuEU3zhBKKuVxSLZgUBvOclT/s2048/IMG_20201211_172758.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CrDSfSAlz_Yi9KTMQYhLKBzFyoittOerp0KpEuK3Woo6bh0LTtwGdN5zn5g4_XlCUfnU5s-zO5-8tk0Z1uezK7lGouItzdancByf1_CbaX4779G7Ot6KmuEU3zhBKKuVxSLZgUBvOclT/s320/IMG_20201211_172758.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the shop-bought cone and <br />my two homemade cones in the dining room?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhueCvsZChdAq4P7EP4dtL5jm53onTT3ZiaRJqraplXlmO3UxxXTYfBBcEriYn9ndaukq65uX2ECX5M3mvyjND67Ecs_GEC3xdAJ8PPQxz3PGD95UUQd0bAMkPqu3TDGm_9pcyP3_o3cBb/s2048/IMG_20201211_172836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhueCvsZChdAq4P7EP4dtL5jm53onTT3ZiaRJqraplXlmO3UxxXTYfBBcEriYn9ndaukq65uX2ECX5M3mvyjND67Ecs_GEC3xdAJ8PPQxz3PGD95UUQd0bAMkPqu3TDGm_9pcyP3_o3cBb/s320/IMG_20201211_172836.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trio of Christmas tea light tree cones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span><span style="color: red;"> Happy hump day to you all, </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">only 9 days till Christmas day! </span><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></b></span></p></div></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-37201164004069042382020-12-15T06:53:00.004+00:002020-12-15T06:53:51.644+00:00Japenese flower<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW4jioaqQVQYTA1sgb7YhbzmW3YC9is1IotXhLRZtE_ZmBGKNb4ujROj2YxQVPL2z6_y7J1O4iRtxWL1INfKfVQMX9lsBzIBLppYt1YgSQH03_jPJ-P6-7V3arAVU_-_SsIUlRhKQDApx/s2048/IMG_20200524_105349.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW4jioaqQVQYTA1sgb7YhbzmW3YC9is1IotXhLRZtE_ZmBGKNb4ujROj2YxQVPL2z6_y7J1O4iRtxWL1INfKfVQMX9lsBzIBLppYt1YgSQH03_jPJ-P6-7V3arAVU_-_SsIUlRhKQDApx/w200-h200/IMG_20200524_105349.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First attempt at a <br />kanzashi flower</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">It's been a tough year on so many levels this year, am I right? From little almost insignificant things to life-changing, life-altering happenings. When you talk to people almost everyone has a story to tell. And then there are some people who you watch and think wow, you really are one of the stars in this world and you do not realise it.</div><p></p><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>This said a lovely friend asked me to make her a fabric brooch in a family tartan that she wanted to wear to a special occasion. It was an important affair and she was to be standing in front of many people and was to be watched via a live online platform too. She asked if it could show the tartan well and be of a reasonable size but all she had was a 21 inch square of the fabric. This was how I was introduced to the amazing world of fabric origami and the fun to make Japanese kanzashi flower. Not heard of it, no neither had I but it is now something I shall return to again and again and would make the most amazing Christmas brooch. In fact, I did just that...<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUxBDakDYYYkHK-PY7D_ivO-4IwVHbwL0P3ONkvIZN71ARqQRxp9nhA_A4pkA8VHLA0JUt5uYUA8SGLdq1X_5tYXvkAOyP0Fl5KQnIvosG_e4XG1lHOLrRbjIYrlXDKap7NoTk3GIs3OK/s2048/IMG_20200526_132420.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUxBDakDYYYkHK-PY7D_ivO-4IwVHbwL0P3ONkvIZN71ARqQRxp9nhA_A4pkA8VHLA0JUt5uYUA8SGLdq1X_5tYXvkAOyP0Fl5KQnIvosG_e4XG1lHOLrRbjIYrlXDKap7NoTk3GIs3OK/w200-h200/IMG_20200526_132420.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old cotton trousers <br />transformed into a <br />kanzashi flower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSSKr1csnQz0By1Q6VI3tLaBAzkJJOp2jKkiMQ0ViuXPnqoHS0T-bt6I15NAvwxSnJHx2QZa0sjdOwMsAw7pUNvCzNcQ2NcN1LgyCjYF0rO7tJwUorLk1IS1PXowfAmq5YhhcZFdte_Nu/s2048/IMG_20200526_113919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSSKr1csnQz0By1Q6VI3tLaBAzkJJOp2jKkiMQ0ViuXPnqoHS0T-bt6I15NAvwxSnJHx2QZa0sjdOwMsAw7pUNvCzNcQ2NcN1LgyCjYF0rO7tJwUorLk1IS1PXowfAmq5YhhcZFdte_Nu/w400-h400/IMG_20200526_113919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tartan kanzashi brooch gifted to my friend</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZTK_1DKLVvQljUSkZ0aLL8al8OJN1XcT7Rwb0CTezV9pWBQl7eL_Rv_V7xXkU_alfCGkdEbqCiDx1WwHwAMbzIkXg4a_JKhRVjgytB6ebow-zmeq0IAyPpgp8RblNfmsyIx-6EV63Q-y/s2048/IMG_20200526_132946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZTK_1DKLVvQljUSkZ0aLL8al8OJN1XcT7Rwb0CTezV9pWBQl7eL_Rv_V7xXkU_alfCGkdEbqCiDx1WwHwAMbzIkXg4a_JKhRVjgytB6ebow-zmeq0IAyPpgp8RblNfmsyIx-6EV63Q-y/s320/IMG_20200526_132946.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kanzashi brooches were made in June<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxp6BnoR0LlWdVbJyMw59oNOCRTeTdnM728c4ZcQopEEmLOFkfXk1iVgth5SYa4p_0dquI-JuOPLBZBGO-sD62GUnSIyUvvyLO2Y5GJeJAfa-KqHUezFvX4oH5Hpp4PMt-CZv3nU-puMD/s2048/IMG_20201113_091918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxp6BnoR0LlWdVbJyMw59oNOCRTeTdnM728c4ZcQopEEmLOFkfXk1iVgth5SYa4p_0dquI-JuOPLBZBGO-sD62GUnSIyUvvyLO2Y5GJeJAfa-KqHUezFvX4oH5Hpp4PMt-CZv3nU-puMD/w200-h200/IMG_20201113_091918.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equipment needed for <br />Kanzashi flower making</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Kanzashi flower </b></span></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: red; font-size: large;">You will need:</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">cotton fabric measuring 21 square inch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">fabric scissors or wheel cutter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">tape measure</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">pins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sewing machine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">iron</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">needle and thread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">fabric stiffener ~ optional but recommended</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut out seven squares of fabric with 9cm sides. Iron each one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCSwnlkZxIvVlfBbLGUf81wNY3VS_218QQwXdv04744HWgWA1z8U7yrokbM0tTFEd4ngVstvaBcXJWgjnhV5mBddrb-mnR713zu7J18ml8FOBMUNk2KvmvSfieb6rFMnqTXzJcl-61tnB/s2613/IMG_20201113_094111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCSwnlkZxIvVlfBbLGUf81wNY3VS_218QQwXdv04744HWgWA1z8U7yrokbM0tTFEd4ngVstvaBcXJWgjnhV5mBddrb-mnR713zu7J18ml8FOBMUNk2KvmvSfieb6rFMnqTXzJcl-61tnB/s320/IMG_20201113_094111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Fold the squares diagonally, keeping the <br />fabric design showing on the outside. <br />Iron to create a crisp fold.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm7nVjmyx1OpTSpx3YRIahl9DbZeAxh2sP4S_YWzePBkNJPi6qPRJbVmC6aKvIELD0OYobI75ZjYvFksQT7Bkh38D9ZUJaZMvKoqmpOKEDd9X0gSWsQ8UtwQ_9ew6wia6GyyytNKMEsBK/s2048/IMG_20201113_094212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm7nVjmyx1OpTSpx3YRIahl9DbZeAxh2sP4S_YWzePBkNJPi6qPRJbVmC6aKvIELD0OYobI75ZjYvFksQT7Bkh38D9ZUJaZMvKoqmpOKEDd9X0gSWsQ8UtwQ_9ew6wia6GyyytNKMEsBK/s320/IMG_20201113_094212.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Fold the right-hand corner towards the top corner</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRr5b_9zXFHKS_SzJMv51z5qmHwVu5awt7YN8gq2U_euhyH3rnEnMgUc4xSRNrXxoFS_60MQPoFjYUQ-GNdVCGoY7thiY0X9Sp1ZO1BGAXgGGx6SuJDTiXLgPcd7GDD_k8eALIwh4uKwf/s2048/IMG_20201113_094254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRr5b_9zXFHKS_SzJMv51z5qmHwVu5awt7YN8gq2U_euhyH3rnEnMgUc4xSRNrXxoFS_60MQPoFjYUQ-GNdVCGoY7thiY0X9Sp1ZO1BGAXgGGx6SuJDTiXLgPcd7GDD_k8eALIwh4uKwf/s320/IMG_20201113_094254.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Repeat with the left side. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o_22UsiV6YD7zskdE1mIZk_wRQfVNVCNuKLVSv4HfayoU22JVxIUhmsqzpVDaq4M-GFLLBL9AhLkLQ6mfhr6gioJJUlihflhFGGGP5em3BKRiXu-OQq-XhquZwqF0Cc5Byu6vXxQDsbV/s2048/IMG_20201113_094550.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o_22UsiV6YD7zskdE1mIZk_wRQfVNVCNuKLVSv4HfayoU22JVxIUhmsqzpVDaq4M-GFLLBL9AhLkLQ6mfhr6gioJJUlihflhFGGGP5em3BKRiXu-OQq-XhquZwqF0Cc5Byu6vXxQDsbV/s320/IMG_20201113_094550.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Iron to create sharp folds.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7wECpWeHfnLKOhdHMeQsCPGA0zIzBDK9BCfeKvWyOzfNxPqrHeZRKTkLHRMXKOu5OS2-xllmBaC895211BhaqET6NhXO8id9VoEYZtoxIQAyVgyEMCe2LfyC5CTMSWwOhNQINZUmfRXj/s2048/IMG_20201113_094911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7wECpWeHfnLKOhdHMeQsCPGA0zIzBDK9BCfeKvWyOzfNxPqrHeZRKTkLHRMXKOu5OS2-xllmBaC895211BhaqET6NhXO8id9VoEYZtoxIQAyVgyEMCe2LfyC5CTMSWwOhNQINZUmfRXj/s320/IMG_20201113_094911.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn the square over and fold back <br />each side so they meet but do not overlap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7qEbbb8t_tnF_S_O4j1X1WqsnKSXLWUAGpEBNgQx7ZDWM6go4CdNRnOMV07wKcB97wqrFYqZAsfQb59-jx7v4ZufZkCPV2d_0qZ1gZ6D2ExBCi15gNABcAgiEGkPPBBNdMUGOt0P0S_i/s2048/IMG_20201113_095126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7qEbbb8t_tnF_S_O4j1X1WqsnKSXLWUAGpEBNgQx7ZDWM6go4CdNRnOMV07wKcB97wqrFYqZAsfQb59-jx7v4ZufZkCPV2d_0qZ1gZ6D2ExBCi15gNABcAgiEGkPPBBNdMUGOt0P0S_i/s320/IMG_20201113_095126.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you see the front on the left <br />of the photo and the back on <br />the right of the photo. Hold with pins and iron.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG25_6bSdApAVtYa2xTBG9-7BuEVqquCgmMLBiLqyeFoYyzsVyQ09NeJ3wimNsM2tn8wRhJP10bGS5hMel5oMhmee1l5y5Aj4OTEpjNS9W1ACusNKCzwLn1RM1il0YFK-Df-TVpuIOOQNv/s2048/IMG_20201113_095722.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG25_6bSdApAVtYa2xTBG9-7BuEVqquCgmMLBiLqyeFoYyzsVyQ09NeJ3wimNsM2tn8wRhJP10bGS5hMel5oMhmee1l5y5Aj4OTEpjNS9W1ACusNKCzwLn1RM1il0YFK-Df-TVpuIOOQNv/s320/IMG_20201113_095722.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All folded and ironed, pins removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sI3laZwkY7tXapXzR2I8Tbh6QPOcF1ROJGQOcI7N00lsil39Mgz_am8K4rv-I4vjsRUQWzNgC-95yYL2YwadF4Ylag61Iy7KMjXMI-QvnLsyFNlGRBvJYYNwo5unPTzLa2mI2aITF6u4/s2048/IMG_20201113_095922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sI3laZwkY7tXapXzR2I8Tbh6QPOcF1ROJGQOcI7N00lsil39Mgz_am8K4rv-I4vjsRUQWzNgC-95yYL2YwadF4Ylag61Iy7KMjXMI-QvnLsyFNlGRBvJYYNwo5unPTzLa2mI2aITF6u4/s320/IMG_20201113_095922.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick up the folded square and fold in <br />half vertically as shown in the above photograph. <br />This shows how the front looks. <br />Remember to do this for all seven.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNiJHygFWG_zqVtoNnutKywNzseFUoJw7ZkPZlXItR3BZDuwVJZ53BOR-B-VxFkbDttJgZ15k6PyDfqvNwgJ0q8ySmaAPDTRVQC2xHSZpuBOTz49k_sbMKMy39620avH4HQrqvj1m-u8u/s2048/IMG_20201113_095933.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNiJHygFWG_zqVtoNnutKywNzseFUoJw7ZkPZlXItR3BZDuwVJZ53BOR-B-VxFkbDttJgZ15k6PyDfqvNwgJ0q8ySmaAPDTRVQC2xHSZpuBOTz49k_sbMKMy39620avH4HQrqvj1m-u8u/s320/IMG_20201113_095933.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows the back at this stage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaRMOwIVurwWq7eFpH-ecYbFk8JHOjceZ5LbLT3lKZjqHRAXD-IREmMw8WOpT8KgE_8BFPXiVmT6ejAfI8vk1BwlLG7vlThzxcjLT7WQAXZWvbo0DuwwcpHYZKQomGDpiyv8qm04Tk9I6/s2048/IMG_20201113_100257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaRMOwIVurwWq7eFpH-ecYbFk8JHOjceZ5LbLT3lKZjqHRAXD-IREmMw8WOpT8KgE_8BFPXiVmT6ejAfI8vk1BwlLG7vlThzxcjLT7WQAXZWvbo0DuwwcpHYZKQomGDpiyv8qm04Tk9I6/s320/IMG_20201113_100257.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold each in place with a pin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrm-jv0f4szaYKQmFQKlDOdnta2AyK6Qc_UztirOU1Tlm008JI4KPnVCxUZ7Fbi4JgSO35rrP0-ZleAx7I0BGiq3zwpX2pyglxwwgdr4M-J15tIGCZQwDVVJcdrRB-ePecEZRwramxGsl/s2048/IMG_20201113_100554.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrm-jv0f4szaYKQmFQKlDOdnta2AyK6Qc_UztirOU1Tlm008JI4KPnVCxUZ7Fbi4JgSO35rrP0-ZleAx7I0BGiq3zwpX2pyglxwwgdr4M-J15tIGCZQwDVVJcdrRB-ePecEZRwramxGsl/s320/IMG_20201113_100554.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snip off the end of each petal as shown above, <br />just taking off the slanted section.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlRvfeKfybsig9QTisz9KgDjt_cmvuaRqojNRPBBh4djHMULi4dLVkxBtXQvoEbxBsIqtpQT-mvVhDwhMzQ8uN0Tb85ohM_IwVLhpvvuvYSM8I3iipmh_2rV8SbayOyv4RCq7_ea6cVx/s2048/IMG_20201113_100655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlRvfeKfybsig9QTisz9KgDjt_cmvuaRqojNRPBBh4djHMULi4dLVkxBtXQvoEbxBsIqtpQT-mvVhDwhMzQ8uN0Tb85ohM_IwVLhpvvuvYSM8I3iipmh_2rV8SbayOyv4RCq7_ea6cVx/s320/IMG_20201113_100655.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All petals sniped.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iOm-DShqAaBV95dIm8da3FjRsVzywWezuGxIUsW3IYcmvPJe30v2Sf-4N4a4FxgUXMGDuZ3Ury1bI3MVHu0TCGm-pHGSa_-eNSlU1qOd6SGQKUlT_JGN2QOc4jXVkWtVkk2a51WiV8Mx/s2048/IMG_20201113_102000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iOm-DShqAaBV95dIm8da3FjRsVzywWezuGxIUsW3IYcmvPJe30v2Sf-4N4a4FxgUXMGDuZ3Ury1bI3MVHu0TCGm-pHGSa_-eNSlU1qOd6SGQKUlT_JGN2QOc4jXVkWtVkk2a51WiV8Mx/s320/IMG_20201113_102000.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To join the petals together take a needle and <br />thread and just a few millimetres up from the bottom <br />sew through all the layers of the petal and repeat for <br />each one. Be careful <br />DO NOT TO PULL TIGHT at this stage.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqv1UbRQPYWNmIIlU90PK1u5i2VAxIXWPMSRa0hQw77gm-4Y89EQVP_Bf3dOSN5wXlKmtL9NRrsFy7L0TRkKJc0iiDXpH7mVi3YkqMKPdvNfmVlHEsobcW7Dg5AUdZnL1VcT0v1DlllwE/s345/where+to+sew.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqv1UbRQPYWNmIIlU90PK1u5i2VAxIXWPMSRa0hQw77gm-4Y89EQVP_Bf3dOSN5wXlKmtL9NRrsFy7L0TRkKJc0iiDXpH7mVi3YkqMKPdvNfmVlHEsobcW7Dg5AUdZnL1VcT0v1DlllwE/s320/where+to+sew.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ensure from one white cross to the next <br />that you go through all the layers of fabric. <br />This is the front of the brooch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbH0ccVHMDYcEed80OJeiW7KnluiT3NABEfI_oe46L_VXxoEXgJspC3KLkZ1vBzz0LZbcYaHCtr6Br9kkCmpAtvoRda56Tbt_wyh3pthtH7b4g6zPGiMfz6ADKdIlrvT_XCsfn4jH9438/s2048/IMG_20201113_102038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbH0ccVHMDYcEed80OJeiW7KnluiT3NABEfI_oe46L_VXxoEXgJspC3KLkZ1vBzz0LZbcYaHCtr6Br9kkCmpAtvoRda56Tbt_wyh3pthtH7b4g6zPGiMfz6ADKdIlrvT_XCsfn4jH9438/s320/IMG_20201113_102038.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the back of the flower brooch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWLTTQuif5tu-0tPm2mv1Lk0eUAh0EBxOIn7kGIbATkCNJfQBWD4k9vgAlDwlBh1ZvIeco0UBwqKpBBBX81S_juK-p1dwXkyAER8HN8eMjJUADqZbAKaAkRctgKjtO_nSgH7W7sQ2m_4M/s2048/IMG_20201113_102823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWLTTQuif5tu-0tPm2mv1Lk0eUAh0EBxOIn7kGIbATkCNJfQBWD4k9vgAlDwlBh1ZvIeco0UBwqKpBBBX81S_juK-p1dwXkyAER8HN8eMjJUADqZbAKaAkRctgKjtO_nSgH7W7sQ2m_4M/s320/IMG_20201113_102823.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To sew the actual petals together which binds the whole <br />thing, sew each edge from one petal to the <br />neighbour petal together, see next photograph <br />for further clarification.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16nmOCq_wC8PFqBixnHxgZoiMmqNnBzocyK40hWfEC0EBLKga4sZ5fdXkiPEPLGA4w7gNDQGT8DOdj-fpeHODhBnSa3YhlzQjXt1Sx915kJ3wp7mC0q16GkVctZvaeAozWMsBVrGS5o9e/s397/back+flower.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16nmOCq_wC8PFqBixnHxgZoiMmqNnBzocyK40hWfEC0EBLKga4sZ5fdXkiPEPLGA4w7gNDQGT8DOdj-fpeHODhBnSa3YhlzQjXt1Sx915kJ3wp7mC0q16GkVctZvaeAozWMsBVrGS5o9e/s320/back+flower.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew from one red arrow across to the next petal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH8IQfvi7ZxFTg6ptcRJ3mBAJNzEs8YPUWBeQO7kqrQ4kMfDl_CjLu_4y2TRaG6A-XXSWbrwzRf0mkLIGcvVX6NsqHs770Vd-NeA_PLwlzlx-ZSyn0Hs6OBhSzUmqejvhX8tIdYHonWes/s2048/IMG_20201113_103819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH8IQfvi7ZxFTg6ptcRJ3mBAJNzEs8YPUWBeQO7kqrQ4kMfDl_CjLu_4y2TRaG6A-XXSWbrwzRf0mkLIGcvVX6NsqHs770Vd-NeA_PLwlzlx-ZSyn0Hs6OBhSzUmqejvhX8tIdYHonWes/s320/IMG_20201113_103819.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once each petal is sewn with the next, <br />gently pull the threads together to <br />form a tighter flower. Be gentle or the thread <br />will snap. This is the front of the flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgianEyv9lEohle8RURd_vMHGTX7Zv74Cgd_h3Q4NlYQ-Vv07RkNWifrQQ1gzi39WDa_8KVIdev5S7NzVsoubMeX9zQyHAH530_S4uKCA8yECHUDq0fOUCo4K09jH8WGOZGqGrUhWIx4te-/s2048/IMG_20201113_103545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgianEyv9lEohle8RURd_vMHGTX7Zv74Cgd_h3Q4NlYQ-Vv07RkNWifrQQ1gzi39WDa_8KVIdev5S7NzVsoubMeX9zQyHAH530_S4uKCA8yECHUDq0fOUCo4K09jH8WGOZGqGrUhWIx4te-/s320/IMG_20201113_103545.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the back of the flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOxJKTVvV8MlYWaBegYJeenXpRFTu17qF8LzWkO3JmrpNmD9DvMRju4MQHR1ur7pckXyfyn8cROZZA1mr-gGqFlf38xOS9eQJ_yFcVhZRrElQk3YooqVLnGyzgge3StCmFeQTkXamrKGH/s2048/IMG_20201113_103545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOxJKTVvV8MlYWaBegYJeenXpRFTu17qF8LzWkO3JmrpNmD9DvMRju4MQHR1ur7pckXyfyn8cROZZA1mr-gGqFlf38xOS9eQJ_yFcVhZRrElQk3YooqVLnGyzgge3StCmFeQTkXamrKGH/w400-h400/IMG_20201113_103545.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can clearly see how the flower has been stitched together.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUThTGTLXjJVEdhcDcQAJuo097F0vvKjr2-eNIvFevSzbLMPob7_h0f_iTP94oMLAwpm75n1P_dGDFbP3951nmx9x29iPMQi8piQPbGL5HPc_qgygvqGbnqhRcKnd34w_z3-AcvHl6SWC/s2048/IMG_20201113_104238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUThTGTLXjJVEdhcDcQAJuo097F0vvKjr2-eNIvFevSzbLMPob7_h0f_iTP94oMLAwpm75n1P_dGDFbP3951nmx9x29iPMQi8piQPbGL5HPc_qgygvqGbnqhRcKnd34w_z3-AcvHl6SWC/s320/IMG_20201113_104238.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the flower petals have been pulled tight <br />together and you have fastened off <br />your thread, it is time to open out the petals. Here you <br />see one petal opened. It is a question of just putting your <br />thumbs into the petal and pushing away the edges <br />of the fabric to open up. Depending on the type <br />of material you use will depend on how well it <br />will hold it's shape on its own. It may be you need to <br />either spray or glue on some fabric stiffener.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHyoVYC9Hcb9MpMQjwV2qdLwWZW9-SGRwPia5CAfJZ9YrJfLKK2yUX1Z8CZhdzQHl1QXQt48dQAPtCBylTza3O7B2ssgtlnU9YKNRD6RcmUXY9nx2MADTm3JeUxf9KcvoTuc6QWFWsue5/s2048/IMG_20201113_121319.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHyoVYC9Hcb9MpMQjwV2qdLwWZW9-SGRwPia5CAfJZ9YrJfLKK2yUX1Z8CZhdzQHl1QXQt48dQAPtCBylTza3O7B2ssgtlnU9YKNRD6RcmUXY9nx2MADTm3JeUxf9KcvoTuc6QWFWsue5/s320/IMG_20201113_121319.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christmas Kanzashi Flower Brooch. <br />You need to sew on a brooch fastener <br />to the back and you are all done.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlVKcJpdtcFGeouk6HkI4TVQGjJuKruzSao-uomU-PlznLz_VVVleKP-6YcnN_hlnwRc1yQsV1FbIBdW4RBsK7xdy1qdndZJZKxs6Nxz27eBhTrYtOk3jkDR41DmPHtIyKp3kfnu66Lb7/s2048/IMG_20201117_155958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlVKcJpdtcFGeouk6HkI4TVQGjJuKruzSao-uomU-PlznLz_VVVleKP-6YcnN_hlnwRc1yQsV1FbIBdW4RBsK7xdy1qdndZJZKxs6Nxz27eBhTrYtOk3jkDR41DmPHtIyKp3kfnu66Lb7/w400-h400/IMG_20201117_155958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanszashi flower. I left the Christmas Kanzashi brooch <br />like this, but if you look at the summer Kanzashi flowers I made, <br />I also covered a button in the same material and added it to the <br />centre of the flower. Both versions work just as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3bqk5X7ksftjcLM8SVeaPdJoOK6CIohyphenhyphenRZZW8T58ZTRH3eKGfHDQG-FM0uKtGxatOhx6vFPUy08R73nmcOKW-CpUF1QBZDSh96CCHym0fp2zggXFpRxT6ebGpaxW2MkFulsqMDRW887n/s2048/IMG_20201127_155519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3bqk5X7ksftjcLM8SVeaPdJoOK6CIohyphenhyphenRZZW8T58ZTRH3eKGfHDQG-FM0uKtGxatOhx6vFPUy08R73nmcOKW-CpUF1QBZDSh96CCHym0fp2zggXFpRxT6ebGpaxW2MkFulsqMDRW887n/s320/IMG_20201127_155519.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On this thin cotton fabric, I brushed on <br />fabric stiffener after I had assembled the flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have realised that I cannot show you the brooch being worn as both that I made for Christmas have been wrapped and gifted! But they obviously look like the summer ones above but in the holly fabric!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Do you wear Christmas embellishments? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> ♥</span></div><br /><br />eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-89512198117790692802020-12-14T08:46:00.006+00:002020-12-14T08:46:43.683+00:00Table setting and place names<p>Many years ago, my cousin asked me to write the place names for her wedding, I think there were about 150 guests but I could be wrong, there was a lot I know that. I agreed of course and the next thing I knew many many stones were delivered to my door. I still have mine and John's and they live on the front porch.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscFw212ck5lxAUKaE-yiC7q_3qAs-eOX5lsR7wuPss5PudTHDuI4n_MrCEVhX8UIX63yKjFyxtijFXSPfTWX8i0xyqD78qV3PLuSjIBqOSZ-zHJTG1LT5V3kkEUjN9RgEYMGnKaafi9hR/s2048/IMG_20201213_141608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscFw212ck5lxAUKaE-yiC7q_3qAs-eOX5lsR7wuPss5PudTHDuI4n_MrCEVhX8UIX63yKjFyxtijFXSPfTWX8i0xyqD78qV3PLuSjIBqOSZ-zHJTG1LT5V3kkEUjN9RgEYMGnKaafi9hR/s320/IMG_20201213_141608.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our place name stones are hidden at the base <br />of the silver birch Nisse</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This led me to think about Christmas place names this year and how could I put a Scandinavian spin on Emma's wedding place names and of course it was simple, I needed some Nisse*. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA75BfkD9XN_Qkr7TlcCq5vqsvDtMr7bFm9hut62Gi6zk_s2gZkdZrP22Ms33mUk-EuA38C21Gt6LghILK2HRU0Mv6HCS0MRrAzMKt0m4BO-cfl_EwHi3JAaHGxWrKg1RZmcyMDXedik3/s2048/IMG_20201210_150345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA75BfkD9XN_Qkr7TlcCq5vqsvDtMr7bFm9hut62Gi6zk_s2gZkdZrP22Ms33mUk-EuA38C21Gt6LghILK2HRU0Mv6HCS0MRrAzMKt0m4BO-cfl_EwHi3JAaHGxWrKg1RZmcyMDXedik3/s320/IMG_20201210_150345.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9wKD0QBipv9bbxpfFuA6VHj2LvgiIKrgxr8PuAiPbJSmjDFHUZhGqpWUvCMWxI6dhznW2TmUCuGvQYEHAN2t24DKdyoPj3DiAoyS8ujTomEofbUWUiFdwSLFx3kb7POjh9Hb3SoMJbYZ/s2048/IMG_20201210_150539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9wKD0QBipv9bbxpfFuA6VHj2LvgiIKrgxr8PuAiPbJSmjDFHUZhGqpWUvCMWxI6dhznW2TmUCuGvQYEHAN2t24DKdyoPj3DiAoyS8ujTomEofbUWUiFdwSLFx3kb7POjh9Hb3SoMJbYZ/s320/IMG_20201210_150539.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christmas place names</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>To make the Nisse I bought Fimo clay in red, white, black and pale orange. </p><p>I created two types of Nisse with slight variations on each. One had legs and the other just a body. Some had large noses with a hat others also included a beard. And some just a hat with no face. It was fun creating the little figures. And really rather quick. Below is a rough guide to how I made them but I'm not the most artistic, I'm sure you could come up with much better versions than mine. Once all were made I placed them on lined baking trays and baked them in a cool oven at about 140 degrees Celsius for about half an hour. I left them a day and then super glued them onto the cleaned stones that I dug up from the garden. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0UAanqi6T7RfXSkXr-2G4TPWg7cyGLytmjFo2jsyy93r_FL4ftDQ5SCc1QWOJ6xG-EqJJSt9kkWkTA30xHiPxXs5H7rffjlAVVCtHiBN5Xf11mx46tZJOmpCpfdSSLcwDk0ypo8z7igK/s2048/IMG_20201210_150649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0UAanqi6T7RfXSkXr-2G4TPWg7cyGLytmjFo2jsyy93r_FL4ftDQ5SCc1QWOJ6xG-EqJJSt9kkWkTA30xHiPxXs5H7rffjlAVVCtHiBN5Xf11mx46tZJOmpCpfdSSLcwDk0ypo8z7igK/s320/IMG_20201210_150649.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nisse made from Fimo as <br />place names for the Christmas table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>I also made some spare Nisse which I did not attach to stones but will dot around the house. In hindsight, I would have made a small hole through the Nisse hat and then I could have used them either as hanging ornaments or to decorate gifts with. I think that would have been superb. Next year... </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWy0Kx0KYsI9WDH7fDe7vMFm6zyrIR6YIB1sdKi_NQdc-mwunG6wk4B8YATa_dMMOuzlxdWoc8ZV1MvDgiSbefvFylbN41Z0hMDkRG-Ka7Br8NP12m0_bX21nRBL6UREk6DjOnWCzAiib/s2048/IMG_20201214_083800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWy0Kx0KYsI9WDH7fDe7vMFm6zyrIR6YIB1sdKi_NQdc-mwunG6wk4B8YATa_dMMOuzlxdWoc8ZV1MvDgiSbefvFylbN41Z0hMDkRG-Ka7Br8NP12m0_bX21nRBL6UREk6DjOnWCzAiib/s320/IMG_20201214_083800.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A room full of Nisse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcVbi4pKYILfXRVPPxn_i0QX95HLyNsv51yii7aoJaV4gASiIwd1vJDcpaoWLwlbSelBpJz2CY7ZAOH_OArFZY-1gpMUWjZUdVTnLW28ccKnK22ZJ7LHcVK0c9_XiJnI4D9gMfRQ-GS3f/s2048/IMG_20201127_160936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcVbi4pKYILfXRVPPxn_i0QX95HLyNsv51yii7aoJaV4gASiIwd1vJDcpaoWLwlbSelBpJz2CY7ZAOH_OArFZY-1gpMUWjZUdVTnLW28ccKnK22ZJ7LHcVK0c9_XiJnI4D9gMfRQ-GS3f/s320/IMG_20201127_160936.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nisse with a body, beard, nose and hat</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frustratingly I have lost the photographs I took at each stage of the process, so apologies as my notes will have to suffice. these Nisse are not hard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">To make the Nisse:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">For the body with just legs:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take a small ball of black Fimo and make into a sausage shape and then bend it in half, do not crack the Fimo so just give it a bend, so it will sit neatly under a hat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">For the body with no legs:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take a small ball of black Fimo and make the body into a cylindrical shape. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAfU4a61iSedGIbG3Fp-rtcRf1ABqgRsDWH_p_hhdCHnZP5x4U5rfun6qG_g02neMou2t3nw1zlnHNG1Z1s1HqAQL0Ons_RePTzXwoFMos-qiO37b1q2jU1BDqjoVCIZIoswkjJlptTuJ/s2048/IMG_20201210_150619+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAfU4a61iSedGIbG3Fp-rtcRf1ABqgRsDWH_p_hhdCHnZP5x4U5rfun6qG_g02neMou2t3nw1zlnHNG1Z1s1HqAQL0Ons_RePTzXwoFMos-qiO37b1q2jU1BDqjoVCIZIoswkjJlptTuJ/s320/IMG_20201210_150619+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nisse with legs and a hat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">For the hats:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took a small ball of red and began to shape it into a cone shape. I place my thumb under the base of the cone where a head would sit and push my thumb up into the base to create a little indent, this seemed to give the hat a bit more of a better shape. I then manipulated the hat to whatever fashion I fancied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">For the beard:</span><div>Take a tiny piece of white Fimo and make it into a flat rectangular shape, cut out a shallow V shape <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZU9RNtgRg9ZSRncYGURrH_8JYTfm6qUOCxJulZkzPnZMc_yD_0cM8b35gbm1mE_tTdR5UnBsANm4mRydDXdtgl_-pH6zkgMS7oTp6hu6rO5jenKzM8fLSjhkgtONBNHs5bXJg5Elpd4U/s2048/IMG_20201214_083852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZU9RNtgRg9ZSRncYGURrH_8JYTfm6qUOCxJulZkzPnZMc_yD_0cM8b35gbm1mE_tTdR5UnBsANm4mRydDXdtgl_-pH6zkgMS7oTp6hu6rO5jenKzM8fLSjhkgtONBNHs5bXJg5Elpd4U/s320/IMG_20201214_083852.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make the beard marks with the end of a toothpick</td></tr></tbody></table><br />from the top of the rectangle, this would allow for the nose to be! Once you have gently placed it onto the Nisse body take a toothpick and scratch some beard marks onto it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">For the nose:</span></div><div>Using a small piece of the pale orange, shape into a ball and attach.</div><div><br /></div><div>Using a combination of the above, you can create your own family of Nisse. If I find my instructions photos I will edit and add them in, it is so annoying!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once you have baked them for 30 minutes in a cool oven and they have cooled completely, I super glued them onto the stones and then used chalk markers to write names on. For Emma's wedding, I used permanent white markers but for my place names, I have used washable markers, so they can be used again and again. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPRv_f2uaFjXuvids5bsNOCglAMhtbhoRIxw9Ef-F8AhxHwCKBYJ3TlWOavIREkhlmWPuVefdsQWsVzkrSevn-VJwKk0fIE3xaQUgJGX6_27X2v0oDiHaiWy345gAo9uvDbB3RUIOi9cN/s2048/IMG_20201214_083135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPRv_f2uaFjXuvids5bsNOCglAMhtbhoRIxw9Ef-F8AhxHwCKBYJ3TlWOavIREkhlmWPuVefdsQWsVzkrSevn-VJwKk0fIE3xaQUgJGX6_27X2v0oDiHaiWy345gAo9uvDbB3RUIOi9cN/s320/IMG_20201214_083135.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nisse both on stones and stand-alone</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHrjB0xal4ZYC79_0I66HdQYQeT0jjSG4LYtjTXTTEE8zmmVbLqyAiJrbKTnwLOgmT-oA125ksfWUjrqUOiNmGFhHiZ2U70kbi7yQHpNN1VO_1wIzTseUDWoBZCgkx0jx19HLrlVLPUhb/s2048/IMG_20201214_083946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHrjB0xal4ZYC79_0I66HdQYQeT0jjSG4LYtjTXTTEE8zmmVbLqyAiJrbKTnwLOgmT-oA125ksfWUjrqUOiNmGFhHiZ2U70kbi7yQHpNN1VO_1wIzTseUDWoBZCgkx0jx19HLrlVLPUhb/w400-h400/IMG_20201214_083946.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">How will you set your table this year?</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-25040711008720560862020-12-13T08:09:00.001+00:002020-12-13T08:27:17.351+00:00Chessboard Cookies<p>Today's cookies are considered by many families in Norway to be one of the essential 7 types of cookies </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EPdzkUtJ6WUAeBtxgtorqGcJdEqKwqZgZ2ZRyLOnZ7W0e3okvDQXxKUbPmmZlM1i3UkhrX98U0U-kv6Wc567ftdVGF3criId38EHGxJWAoQrb20hMJ0-fy-OYwA15NygV_SxbOP1OyrX/s2048/IMG_20201212_154219.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EPdzkUtJ6WUAeBtxgtorqGcJdEqKwqZgZ2ZRyLOnZ7W0e3okvDQXxKUbPmmZlM1i3UkhrX98U0U-kv6Wc567ftdVGF3criId38EHGxJWAoQrb20hMJ0-fy-OYwA15NygV_SxbOP1OyrX/w200-h200/IMG_20201212_154219.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkerboard Cookies ~ <br />Sjakkruter</td></tr></tbody></table>to bake for Christmas list. In comparison to other cookies the Scandinavians love, these are relatively bland in flavour as there are no spices. Don't however be fooled, the combination of vanilla and chocolate in these chess-like cookies are a perfect match.<p></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Chessboard Cookies ~ Sjakkruter</b></span> </p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>You will need:</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVl_Lu25u7X6g4f_thhI4Dubq-DRIDqXFyqZR7HR1-CfqF6LTrVZaDmTjUINeg721bdclIBE6uaPk3whutbgCl5qMniiA9tkbTbNQ0DnyXcAenGPpfapAK3DKpf8NnwFqQOHtZGDsl8u2/s2048/IMG_20201212_135520.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVl_Lu25u7X6g4f_thhI4Dubq-DRIDqXFyqZR7HR1-CfqF6LTrVZaDmTjUINeg721bdclIBE6uaPk3whutbgCl5qMniiA9tkbTbNQ0DnyXcAenGPpfapAK3DKpf8NnwFqQOHtZGDsl8u2/w200-h200/IMG_20201212_135520.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should have 2 vanilla <br />balls and 2 cocoa balls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">300g plain flour </div><div style="text-align: left;">75g icing sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">200g butter, room temperature </div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tsp vanilla sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">2tbsp good quality cocoa powder </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mix the flour and the icing sugar thoroughly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Add the butter and mix till it forms a smooth dough. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKpyUq4MwsHoLkbcvybZUxl_fT3AhYXYFVJkm9akVZjB2nNIq40V3WnfT6qb95F3ZvL0Yg5cZWwRSyQVIqt4iOt0qcuYqMo43P4BscjvhWCtfhiqC2VbbXoAOek_7JfJwtpwueCfdllYO/s2048/IMG_20201212_140243.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKpyUq4MwsHoLkbcvybZUxl_fT3AhYXYFVJkm9akVZjB2nNIq40V3WnfT6qb95F3ZvL0Yg5cZWwRSyQVIqt4iOt0qcuYqMo43P4BscjvhWCtfhiqC2VbbXoAOek_7JfJwtpwueCfdllYO/w200-h200/IMG_20201212_140243.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla and cocoa rolls, <br />placed next to each other</td></tr></tbody></table>Divide the dough into two portions. Adding the vanilla sugar to one and the cocoa powder to the other. Make sure each is incorporated well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next, divide each portion in half so you now have two vanilla dough pieces and two cocoa. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Roll out one of the vanilla pieces into a long sausage that measures about 60cm. Repeat for one of the cocoa pieces. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Place the cocoa roll next to the vanilla one. Cut the rolls in half at the 30cm mark. Carefully pick up one set of vanilla and cocoa rolls and place them on top of the other so that the vanilla sits on the cocoa and the cocoa sits on top of the vanilla, in a checkerboard way. See photograph.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Press gently down. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_Sq0QCz7OywVZqBwyPFwH5SEbfNNhN-CNFq3NzzzSRjaWSB0T16MZAGhuqR8LpRG3ITUfhmgCfGLaT0PICgrgLvclj4qWYK3ITC9jBCjdfu4tJ6ei4wVbQpCT83lD42vpQahhImeZ8qq/s2048/IMG_20201212_140400.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_Sq0QCz7OywVZqBwyPFwH5SEbfNNhN-CNFq3NzzzSRjaWSB0T16MZAGhuqR8LpRG3ITUfhmgCfGLaT0PICgrgLvclj4qWYK3ITC9jBCjdfu4tJ6ei4wVbQpCT83lD42vpQahhImeZ8qq/w200-h200/IMG_20201212_140400.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkerboard rolls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Repeat the process again with the remaining two dough balls to create another set of checkerboard rolls.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Place both checkerboard rolls in the fridge for a minimum of half an hour. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sNTXBxjwb9p6LBl2tAtXohz1AMTaFSka3Euri2Ec0o2pFKcClas9_A8smMY8Q7ITDpaKpDIIdyiMXmrj_YS9yJxDVELzEYAmixle7Ytt32RvYnkyjdy5RqGQhd74QzkGapIKO0MPpnpp/s2048/IMG_20201212_150854.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sNTXBxjwb9p6LBl2tAtXohz1AMTaFSka3Euri2Ec0o2pFKcClas9_A8smMY8Q7ITDpaKpDIIdyiMXmrj_YS9yJxDVELzEYAmixle7Ytt32RvYnkyjdy5RqGQhd74QzkGapIKO0MPpnpp/w200-h200/IMG_20201212_150854.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkerboard slices</td></tr></tbody></table>Take the rolls out of the fridge and slice each one into slices about 6-7mm thick. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Place slices on lined baking trays, leaving room for them to expand a little. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bake for 10 minutes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let them cool on the trays for a couple of minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1Xp89Pz94HAB0KbDeDhtBIGPZq5hmjKWoyY-cOqceJhYBpUy_J5N4G1ji3hfG6BH2zxppEX6Fq2tQFXa8mYeN8DBkEg_ItdmkAs_x5LNLDfmkL-xfh2gCm8ANd60vx0H4bEmSmNfHHjG/s2048/IMG_20201212_152240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1Xp89Pz94HAB0KbDeDhtBIGPZq5hmjKWoyY-cOqceJhYBpUy_J5N4G1ji3hfG6BH2zxppEX6Fq2tQFXa8mYeN8DBkEg_ItdmkAs_x5LNLDfmkL-xfh2gCm8ANd60vx0H4bEmSmNfHHjG/s320/IMG_20201212_152240.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we see the difference between prebaked and baked</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSCehVlrXy9GKgBGW1RKBcgnwPeW7pM1I1J2JU8SXm1ZR4OzHxf1q_EEx4V7Dv_qnHn_dqAX30wRAhBGDEuzcN9Jml_IgvU924o3XYsDEw7IUAjr8-7axSfgYZoeI8yjCTAy83cU-RHB0/s2048/IMG_20201212_154219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSCehVlrXy9GKgBGW1RKBcgnwPeW7pM1I1J2JU8SXm1ZR4OzHxf1q_EEx4V7Dv_qnHn_dqAX30wRAhBGDEuzcN9Jml_IgvU924o3XYsDEw7IUAjr8-7axSfgYZoeI8yjCTAy83cU-RHB0/w400-h400/IMG_20201212_154219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tin full of Checkerboard Cookies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Today in Scandinavia it is St Lucia's Day when tradition is to bake saffron buns. I write and share the recipe each year so follow the link here to learn more. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b>♥ We have now made five of the seven cookies for Christmas, hope you have a good Sunday everyone and preparations are going well ♥</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br />eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-32263119559858413862020-12-11T18:25:00.005+00:002020-12-12T08:06:16.582+00:00Neighbourly Gifts<p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday I received some very upsetting news and after a good cry (I often do that) and a vent on Facebook, (I so rarely do that) I am trying to be a little more philosophical and am hoping that as we live in times where the sand is quite literally shifting underneath us and changes occur daily from one </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEkekAOwrGUhtGP9T98zO5XIOR8s6BC3XdCngib_XXZVXkLf3EsZktFkJJlHaqXqVAj9IYOz9J05lAP1fxt23ABe59Mmja6aKXB_chTQJ5zdHlX-blVbksXUSDXYjqOnJizy8PfBAsMR_/s2048/IMG_20201211_172758.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEkekAOwrGUhtGP9T98zO5XIOR8s6BC3XdCngib_XXZVXkLf3EsZktFkJJlHaqXqVAj9IYOz9J05lAP1fxt23ABe59Mmja6aKXB_chTQJ5zdHlX-blVbksXUSDXYjqOnJizy8PfBAsMR_/w400-h400/IMG_20201211_172758.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gift of red roses just when I needed it, thank you </td></tr></tbody></table>announcement to another, I hope that the current situation I now find myself in, will be resolved and quickly. <p></p><p>What is the issue? </p><p>I can not visit mamma in Norway from January 1st for as long as the pandemic is upon us, as the UK will have left the EU and so Norway has no agreement with us and one is not yet on the horizon. As I am sure you would know from reading this blog where my feelings are at, I voted very firmly to STAY IN THE EU. I did not foresee this problem and none of us foresaw the pandemic, but still, I am smarting even more so now that we are leaving, it brings back all the emotions of four years ago when we woke up that fateful morning to the news we would be leaving the EU. It was a tough day and I felt bruised and battered then but nothing to how I felt yesterday. So many lovely comments were received on Facebook and chocolates and flowers were received (you know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart) So I am keeping everything crossed that tomorrow or the next day or even the following week, we will hear the news that this issue is resolved and that I can visit mamma. Never in my life did I think I would not be allowed to travel between our two countries. How much I have taken for granted and how privileged I have been.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM-VCj-eGuAQ5QmXbjlg_xV7BLNXGHYCzmrXPg8DSsJtR8NB8O2rDclhqYxObVESGfOk1CJN6_H9eX8n-sqAWyd7n07Y5ABt_OQiDpZehyAkQyHoZtMZnEVgn369aK1oECUZBafTIfUGy/s2048/IMG_20201205_142408.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM-VCj-eGuAQ5QmXbjlg_xV7BLNXGHYCzmrXPg8DSsJtR8NB8O2rDclhqYxObVESGfOk1CJN6_H9eX8n-sqAWyd7n07Y5ABt_OQiDpZehyAkQyHoZtMZnEVgn369aK1oECUZBafTIfUGy/s320/IMG_20201205_142408.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made envelope for gifts</td></tr></tbody></table>This brings me to today's post which is all about giving and sharing with those that we cannot meet up with for a coffee and a chat as we would normally leading up to Christmas. I have begun to deliver a few cookies here and there and many more to still be delivered, just as a little cheery hello from me to you to say I miss you, have a Norwegian Christmas cookie on me and think of me whilst you sit a while with a cup of something warming.</div><p></p><p>I have often used the see-through food bags that you can purchase and tie the cookies up in ribbon but now trying to be more aware and responsible about the use of plastic, I have more latterly sent cookies in tins which can be reused and indeed will send out some still that way this year. However, encouraged by the class I work with and their current paper crafting challenge to make advent boxes, 3D Christmas trees and hanging paper decorations, I set myself the task of creating a paper vessel for gifting my cookies. </p><p>The paper envelopes are not of my design and on google, there are so many different versions and many the same so I jumped right in and here is the version that I used and came up with. It is so easy, quick and effective, give it a try, easy for young and old...</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Home made envelopes for cookie gifting:</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">♥ </span> All you need is a square of paper and ribbon if you have.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xw5wS9yBL1-iJPo5QWXomTxGKdlbIay4D-jGAekjIcIuENoFtTGb8Dk406Ganp-c2cPoJuBh2hbr5DiHzsTvQFAgghJzG5HoBIc7vmbCF-ehmk3ngFen-2MJPgitdW_KtmkYz-RpDSLI/s2048/IMG_20201205_140936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xw5wS9yBL1-iJPo5QWXomTxGKdlbIay4D-jGAekjIcIuENoFtTGb8Dk406Ganp-c2cPoJuBh2hbr5DiHzsTvQFAgghJzG5HoBIc7vmbCF-ehmk3ngFen-2MJPgitdW_KtmkYz-RpDSLI/s320/IMG_20201205_140936.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a square piece of paper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVsfz8E9SjgnNqmAOO0Ku5lOjuYchau6ID-sIre3UoqcEXcfzsfAQrkUSf8nDkR8Z_UX29YbllB7M_C-5zH8YojG43QLP2HU1WOfmYM_PIWTl7fCGNsoqj5EbkimiI8e6WqS-R-L0uzqK/s2048/IMG_20201205_141056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVsfz8E9SjgnNqmAOO0Ku5lOjuYchau6ID-sIre3UoqcEXcfzsfAQrkUSf8nDkR8Z_UX29YbllB7M_C-5zH8YojG43QLP2HU1WOfmYM_PIWTl7fCGNsoqj5EbkimiI8e6WqS-R-L0uzqK/s320/IMG_20201205_141056.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold it in half keeping the design on the outside</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd6mp2ovyASNpgsLGcfgi_1M397LBu31h1SdF6zFHmybhrPUD2VpXPlujKZnztiTQ729YSw5WwHleAvOP2yKNeXb7Q2Ivh3n3d8w14Zz_WHS9EFBCUb2Cr1FG9AKaNMVWEBMpTEG4zc2i/s1920/IMG_20201211_161148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd6mp2ovyASNpgsLGcfgi_1M397LBu31h1SdF6zFHmybhrPUD2VpXPlujKZnztiTQ729YSw5WwHleAvOP2yKNeXb7Q2Ivh3n3d8w14Zz_WHS9EFBCUb2Cr1FG9AKaNMVWEBMpTEG4zc2i/s320/IMG_20201211_161148.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take one corner and fold it across, so that the top of the <br />fold is horizontal. DO NOT fold it so it touches <br />the other side, leave a gap of 3-4mm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JztV-QVbch9F6QTT59VAi4YBn2noReNokJQaTYflKKYa2ErAh-TP0SQgXXhywLe-SaiWae9KfWL2E70ytIB66Zk69awmMlVm1-Skl4BWgQLToXuXkCz4-OwOIorR6NpghzymmymoTTaI/s1920/IMG_20201211_161217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JztV-QVbch9F6QTT59VAi4YBn2noReNokJQaTYflKKYa2ErAh-TP0SQgXXhywLe-SaiWae9KfWL2E70ytIB66Zk69awmMlVm1-Skl4BWgQLToXuXkCz4-OwOIorR6NpghzymmymoTTaI/s320/IMG_20201211_161217.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold the other side over, this time, <br />this fold can just touch the opposite edge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwintSddBlI2rJui8LREaMKDSqgYfvBEx4U7ZIkqFq4A24ezZ0vfSlOG6uweknscY8bws5CxxlpWc9tIxkCIzmIHljD4lNwZMm-ZrXPcLLI956PqRGMl0JR_L7pM_MQiJAcZSyaQ9tRnsy/s1920/IMG_20201211_161242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwintSddBlI2rJui8LREaMKDSqgYfvBEx4U7ZIkqFq4A24ezZ0vfSlOG6uweknscY8bws5CxxlpWc9tIxkCIzmIHljD4lNwZMm-ZrXPcLLI956PqRGMl0JR_L7pM_MQiJAcZSyaQ9tRnsy/s320/IMG_20201211_161242.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The envelope should look like this <br />when you have folded over both corners.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyByRRBN1RCLUoTA7nqYZZG-A-4KREPyqvn2Erkd_z8se_RRsELhRXJjs19tTwpfrHbbojF0-AlZ1V8ZPW3h8pSAAHEv5vwiNLAoEtwNvjINSl9r6O61FzcjrzUZqQ021WIUrkty2jG-Rh/s2048/IMG_20201205_141348.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyByRRBN1RCLUoTA7nqYZZG-A-4KREPyqvn2Erkd_z8se_RRsELhRXJjs19tTwpfrHbbojF0-AlZ1V8ZPW3h8pSAAHEv5vwiNLAoEtwNvjINSl9r6O61FzcjrzUZqQ021WIUrkty2jG-Rh/s320/IMG_20201205_141348.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apex at the top should have two sheets. Take <br />the inner sheet and fold it so that it fits snuggly <br />into the front folded over corner as in the above photograph.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYvSmfpZB96xbgteOOCtsWOaD9Y7k28dV-KBCzpnD_2qllVtHk8vIKtfs0YjQZyyfB8LLaC3BU4Fc3P74sL4JToR_Y-caS1WLLWmrSjuxxaAfUuqkP6cfQfHU7PiKlPh29No1gXgJdKW0/s2048/IMG_20201205_141503.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYvSmfpZB96xbgteOOCtsWOaD9Y7k28dV-KBCzpnD_2qllVtHk8vIKtfs0YjQZyyfB8LLaC3BU4Fc3P74sL4JToR_Y-caS1WLLWmrSjuxxaAfUuqkP6cfQfHU7PiKlPh29No1gXgJdKW0/s320/IMG_20201205_141503.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert your cookie...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGVUwpFIXRxIgHVPQaxkkOtnYXh0gpVjKYKaOyk8eAKMenk-IdOcJ-nNl5yyVTgBN4_9Kfe1elv8ESVRZLzndyZq6eKm9I8g-62XV7JHpb57Gvkei2lD2DUmcyBqY2jzHOUTVy81jEkW8/s2048/IMG_20201205_141843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGVUwpFIXRxIgHVPQaxkkOtnYXh0gpVjKYKaOyk8eAKMenk-IdOcJ-nNl5yyVTgBN4_9Kfe1elv8ESVRZLzndyZq6eKm9I8g-62XV7JHpb57Gvkei2lD2DUmcyBqY2jzHOUTVy81jEkW8/s320/IMG_20201205_141843.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or three!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bGXU7oo8b0XuGChWHlcST0Z1OD5mLBcpai0Hfjqczvn2baHGBUJsnRZ_oS5uHIzruGElWGt8oMaudwEpaUpUmuEsamLcaS18fqpg1doeXr0h6_GYO9ZUh6bFvQQtxN9MpXx02gGkMxcp/s2048/IMG_20201205_142347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bGXU7oo8b0XuGChWHlcST0Z1OD5mLBcpai0Hfjqczvn2baHGBUJsnRZ_oS5uHIzruGElWGt8oMaudwEpaUpUmuEsamLcaS18fqpg1doeXr0h6_GYO9ZUh6bFvQQtxN9MpXx02gGkMxcp/s320/IMG_20201205_142347.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold over the top and tie up with ribbon. <br />All ready to gift as a cookie hug.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"> Thinking of those today that I cannot see, know that you are in my thoughts and I send you all my love until we can be together again </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">♥</span></b></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-57260919798553320282020-12-10T21:48:00.000+00:002020-12-11T05:44:55.861+00:00A Christmas window<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Growing up in a mixed-race household was a privilege and one I did not really appreciate until I was much older. As with all things in life, much from my childhood has seeped into who I am as an adult. The December days and the joy I feel about them most certainly come from my mother and her mother too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8TcZt-p_FyXthyphenhyphenUnK-V8uOMaHjMFUrLllGumtIwKvG5CTws5htutXfZubYHj6VvR1pS9q9p_C230uM6u8pWrbQnhbG1AFb5U67jKrQfbqTPxza1yzI4AB_aEKsczxsnMB8ESiGRH6d9M/s2048/IMG_20201029_231426.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8TcZt-p_FyXthyphenhyphenUnK-V8uOMaHjMFUrLllGumtIwKvG5CTws5htutXfZubYHj6VvR1pS9q9p_C230uM6u8pWrbQnhbG1AFb5U67jKrQfbqTPxza1yzI4AB_aEKsczxsnMB8ESiGRH6d9M/s320/IMG_20201029_231426.jpg" /></a></div>Long before it was trendy to dress the windows my mother added crocheted snowflakes to ours and although I have not asked her, I wonder if that was to bring a piece of her winter homeland back to an often wet and windy December in the UK. When I began this blog seven years ago, one of the first blog posts was all about snowflakes on the window and I shared many patterns as well as for those who could not crochet an alternative, see <a href="https://eclectichomelife.blogspot.com/2013/12/snowflakes-at-christmas.html">here</a>. Most years thereafter I have thought of other ways to also treat a window at home to some Christmas dressing. This year is no exception and my French windows in the study have been subjected to their quickest makeover to date, all I needed was a white chalk marker. So quick and so effective. I am not nor have ever been someone who could draw but if I can do this then I am sure you can and those of you who do have an artistic flair I am sure can come up with some wonderful creations. Below are my efforts, it was like giving myself permission to Christmas graffiti all over the windows. It felt naughty but was so much fun and we are really enjoying it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And for those of you worrying or wondering, I bought markers that wipe off very easily with water and a gentle rub with a cloth, I tested it out before I let my Christmas artistic streak loose...</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBNFrkRqD-417aTPC2bFQdlbWSzXj-En0uB044qwb30EJd3BUIXyM2x0KpK1H-xWSfmR5c3xNSsW1sdm0482UToggHFcqMDvnliuTGVKkoZVkc3ZeGxpSuRTrxmBjslgQbjNfTa3q_1x8/s2048/IMG_20201123_130039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBNFrkRqD-417aTPC2bFQdlbWSzXj-En0uB044qwb30EJd3BUIXyM2x0KpK1H-xWSfmR5c3xNSsW1sdm0482UToggHFcqMDvnliuTGVKkoZVkc3ZeGxpSuRTrxmBjslgQbjNfTa3q_1x8/s320/IMG_20201123_130039.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick test to make sure the markers clean off ok<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGCgW5Alo2-TdWoLtFUaOu0DNW4i2Ckv5YlAmH_mD9GpX2c4ZZ-w5I9xO_j29ZcIFrCbMJ4WATasqXY7nD2OgUBhgt5xStxWjNb3VAAFpfmUzp27iZPRyqN0vQnDw6cPKSNwQEOsWXlq/s2048/IMG_20201123_130127.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGCgW5Alo2-TdWoLtFUaOu0DNW4i2Ckv5YlAmH_mD9GpX2c4ZZ-w5I9xO_j29ZcIFrCbMJ4WATasqXY7nD2OgUBhgt5xStxWjNb3VAAFpfmUzp27iZPRyqN0vQnDw6cPKSNwQEOsWXlq/s320/IMG_20201123_130127.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All it needed was a damp cloth <br />and it wiped away quickly</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh1Zpw0zACCEYbvIRP2eP7jOFyFCaNM3t0FSfafLyIFBKv2PmU48yhLgkoor4NFOndcDBm3AuScGdlJm9was9twD-007EcfiX09DlssnLw5Q1q4B6c-pr3abU6MvqaaZTzEVa-Zi13Sbq/s2048/IMG_20201123_130205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh1Zpw0zACCEYbvIRP2eP7jOFyFCaNM3t0FSfafLyIFBKv2PmU48yhLgkoor4NFOndcDBm3AuScGdlJm9was9twD-007EcfiX09DlssnLw5Q1q4B6c-pr3abU6MvqaaZTzEVa-Zi13Sbq/s320/IMG_20201123_130205.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used these markers but you can, of course, use <br />any you like, just make sure they will clean off easily<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2oBGpjsVGx475bYG-sXnegOM2D3uwINMjv0Zy4JLf5zv78PmOdePbhfkKw5rL6TfY_BEv3kUaBnbvFyHAD4KFeiMF3F5eoJYD76VQlkv8RTjw6SbTQUjDqItAAcwqb1n_2ICInnv27nc/s2048/IMG_20201029_231939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2oBGpjsVGx475bYG-sXnegOM2D3uwINMjv0Zy4JLf5zv78PmOdePbhfkKw5rL6TfY_BEv3kUaBnbvFyHAD4KFeiMF3F5eoJYD76VQlkv8RTjw6SbTQUjDqItAAcwqb1n_2ICInnv27nc/w400-h400/IMG_20201029_231939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christmas Window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Do you get excited for Christmas? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-53955874317974972082020-12-09T22:54:00.000+00:002020-12-10T04:39:40.242+00:00Christmas trivet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMqFVEGd1MDs95FU_K6DSXwCtPfH8vAGaUiob1ZJLgPDridzkq5MDQ4ACq_WyoTBl-dhfzve5aqPk4laXWQaavx6oxXHxutNL9OtFwpTBRty162oxmP68ECAlG0sQnLegl06KelHb9nTK/s2048/IMG_20201013_131511_944.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMqFVEGd1MDs95FU_K6DSXwCtPfH8vAGaUiob1ZJLgPDridzkq5MDQ4ACq_WyoTBl-dhfzve5aqPk4laXWQaavx6oxXHxutNL9OtFwpTBRty162oxmP68ECAlG0sQnLegl06KelHb9nTK/w200-h200/IMG_20201013_131511_944.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting consisting of lots of bobbles</td></tr></tbody></table>So much happens in the kitchen at Christmas it can be warm and cosy and just me in there pottering about with my Christmas makes and bakes or it can be raucous when everyone is finally home with so much news to share. Leading up to Christmas day itself the kitchen becomes even more of a hub of the home than normal. And the day, itself with so much cooking taking place, pots and pans are literally flying all over the place whilst we all go about our designated cooking chores, of course sipping on some tipple or other such like trying not to bump into each other in our rather narrow kitchen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I came across the potholder pattern whilst thinking about my Christmas kitchen and thought it would be both a practical and festive addition to the red theme I have every year. Having also not knitted bobbles before I was keen to challenge myself and try something new. This is a pattern I wish I had designed, it was fun to make and relatively quick. Both my sister and mother having seen this would like one. I'll add it to the to-do list...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K3IS9zoAd9flWW73XodbCWVhcb5VJH136w6XYUzFTtDeaTsTeLW4VitexScOqCRKr4_B_tMP5WHGfgT8Xn41aj9xXDO31WKH8C2-bdnLsIBVdNbeezoi0X_iNjjHm1wXU-0CrWc4nj_b/s2048/IMG_20201013_113816.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K3IS9zoAd9flWW73XodbCWVhcb5VJH136w6XYUzFTtDeaTsTeLW4VitexScOqCRKr4_B_tMP5WHGfgT8Xn41aj9xXDO31WKH8C2-bdnLsIBVdNbeezoi0X_iNjjHm1wXU-0CrWc4nj_b/s320/IMG_20201013_113816.jpg" /></a></div>Does anyone else forget things quickly, misplace things or walk into a room and have absolutely no idea why you entered? It seems to be happening to me with more and more regularity... I'm not even going there by saying it's my age, <i style="text-decoration-line: line-through;">but it is my age! </i> So as I sit here typing away to tell you about this pattern, I cannot remember how I did it at all, I even had to just watch the little clip to remind me how I knitted the bobbles, here it is for you in case you are interested... <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDCMUCbLzRVY41wBLDqO1MwYE4aQ&v=OKD3e-MFgTc&feature=emb_rel_end">Knitted bobbles video</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As long as you can purl and knit then you can make this trivet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again with anything felted it is made in 100% wool, knitted larger than the required size and shrunk in the washing machine with towels to aid the rubbing and friction on a normal 40-degree cycle. It is IMPERATIVE that as soon as the cycle is over you remove the trivet and lay it on a flat surface and pull it into shape. The corners may want to curl a bit but with wriggling it you will get them to lay flat. It will take a day or two to dry out completely. Since I have made it, I've used hot pans from the hob and baking sheets from the oven and it has protected my work surface. I'm rather pleased with this and if I remember to <i><strike>I may not because of my age! </strike></i>after Christmas will make a couple more.</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZyhfODkeYtkoeYKOZ538SDtlTPw6DyfhKnaZnL0KL5Gj9nRKJplygw-fGuaAtxFxEl9PCFnSdSbkA6IITO3NT5csBsG9GOVFabRsNG2bxIUA7fHFS8COoPnI_jmng72DSXh7Bxko_y7o/s2048/IMG_20201014_092834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZyhfODkeYtkoeYKOZ538SDtlTPw6DyfhKnaZnL0KL5Gj9nRKJplygw-fGuaAtxFxEl9PCFnSdSbkA6IITO3NT5csBsG9GOVFabRsNG2bxIUA7fHFS8COoPnI_jmng72DSXh7Bxko_y7o/s320/IMG_20201014_092834.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the knitted trivet <br />makes me think of a shaggy beard</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Each bobble is knitted back and forth individually on the right side of the work and each bobble row is bound with a row of purling on the wrong side. It's quite a therapeutic knit once you get into the swing of the pattern and it's incredible how the bobbles felt into thick balls, it is such a clever pattern.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m0t2mLvHjAwj5yQFvot2IOUHaThj5jeCluYSDxzZhKB_9M3WlIf7PFF-U6zZln8lkmlHyVnBJqU6jEXHeT73CfaSEm1jQYZl35CVOvu7pf-5_u9aJtaEk_taJq1aBNvh70DZUksyIk4v/s2048/IMG_20201014_092922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m0t2mLvHjAwj5yQFvot2IOUHaThj5jeCluYSDxzZhKB_9M3WlIf7PFF-U6zZln8lkmlHyVnBJqU6jEXHeT73CfaSEm1jQYZl35CVOvu7pf-5_u9aJtaEk_taJq1aBNvh70DZUksyIk4v/s320/IMG_20201014_092922.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqphYW4Qvp9tGuY6hjGpMzHrGmr0HZX8Nk77Wx_P6Av0gGOHs3j8ez2LWJLReisTs7mlAbzxk9hWOrldcfJI_iqrLlBdjFuS2vgVkVnnKJuoy9ZNNdVYCce6xNz03LK4Ndg7y-l31gw_6/s2048/IMG_20201014_094725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqphYW4Qvp9tGuY6hjGpMzHrGmr0HZX8Nk77Wx_P6Av0gGOHs3j8ez2LWJLReisTs7mlAbzxk9hWOrldcfJI_iqrLlBdjFuS2vgVkVnnKJuoy9ZNNdVYCce6xNz03LK4Ndg7y-l31gw_6/w400-h400/IMG_20201014_094725.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To ensure the red bobbles do not pull the whole piece, <br />each bobble has it's own beginning and ending thread, <br />with no carrying over to the next bobble.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeYtIGG5oc0iP-iuTJ8J6Tp1TQcqXCuhdVITuxvGhstqrEALR8Z76Q2aOAQ9mscb1TNVm7HmwOqqKrG5q5rYo6NC-xoJHtNAIFlBTutzuJ11hV4qC08pJNzobmVXNEW6V-Sy8SBqmXLXl/s2048/IMG_20201014_094833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeYtIGG5oc0iP-iuTJ8J6Tp1TQcqXCuhdVITuxvGhstqrEALR8Z76Q2aOAQ9mscb1TNVm7HmwOqqKrG5q5rYo6NC-xoJHtNAIFlBTutzuJ11hV4qC08pJNzobmVXNEW6V-Sy8SBqmXLXl/w400-h400/IMG_20201014_094833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished knitted piece before machine felting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yo_IWSKpcvdgRoVXPYjdBsyEm5OMjHnCnKQdycUE7qQeclH4PfE6cngW9uNfL86Gj7L5D3iu4vqCcMFZezLiKdGuvQ9FoxHW1jeBM6EQSX_NyFdHZvnC3ZzPIM8jPSyxJDsdjSIlFXYw/s2048/IMG_20201014_094919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yo_IWSKpcvdgRoVXPYjdBsyEm5OMjHnCnKQdycUE7qQeclH4PfE6cngW9uNfL86Gj7L5D3iu4vqCcMFZezLiKdGuvQ9FoxHW1jeBM6EQSX_NyFdHZvnC3ZzPIM8jPSyxJDsdjSIlFXYw/s320/IMG_20201014_094919.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a knitted bobble before machine felting</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Another great name from GarnStudio find the pattern here: </span><a href="https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=8908&cid=19" style="text-align: left;">Hot heart ♥</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">❤️ The youngest has returned from university so we are now all under one roof ready for Christmas but we will be thinking of those we cannot catch up with in person this year . Hugs to you all ❤️</div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-44783230426009761322020-12-08T22:41:00.004+00:002020-12-09T09:07:42.434+00:00Ginger Lemon Cookies<p>Today's post brings you the fourth of the seven bakes for Christmas. As many of you know here in the eclectic home we bake seven cookies each and every December as is the custom in Norway. Today's cookies are up there amongst my favourite and I must admit to not only baking these at Christmas because they are just soooo good. The warmth of the ginger is perfectly complemented by the zest of the lemon, these buttery cookies really do melt in the mouth, yet also have a great snap. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Ginger Lemon Cookies</span></b> ~ makes approximately 30</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">You will need:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> 125g butter, room temperature</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> 250g sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> grated zest lemon</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> 225g plain flour</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> 1 tsp baking powder</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> 4 tsp ground ginger</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyMnPpyYiC2ecBtW6q5LNhVBrRc4C4PeQpJ3bJ898zRP-__CJR33hgiwIGxH6F3IFN6M_lKZeW-9r2jRH6knE4COZgCa92JVZERdubYhN-hZxF09sx_9JO_obUZeLCLk2Du6QdxCYYN9b/s2048/IMG_20201208_183958.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyMnPpyYiC2ecBtW6q5LNhVBrRc4C4PeQpJ3bJ898zRP-__CJR33hgiwIGxH6F3IFN6M_lKZeW-9r2jRH6knE4COZgCa92JVZERdubYhN-hZxF09sx_9JO_obUZeLCLk2Du6QdxCYYN9b/s320/IMG_20201208_183958.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a fork to slightly flatten the balls of dough</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Mix the butter and sugar until pale and creamy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> Add the remaining ingrediants and mix to form a dough.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Divide the mixture into thirds. <i>[At this point, I make a descion if I am going to bake all the cookies at once or whether I will cover in cling film one or two portions and keep in the fridge until needed. this dough if kept airtight will last for about a week in the fridge. It could also be frozen for up to four weeks. Just remember to defrost throughly before continuing with the next steps.]</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> </i>Each portion should make between 8 -10 balls. Place the small balls of dough on lined baking sheets, leaving plenty of room between each. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥ </span>Using a fork, gently push each dough ball to flatten it slightly, see photograph. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> Bake in a pre heated oven of 160 degrees Celcius for 10-12 minutes or until slighly golden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Cool on a wire rack before enjoying.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uykftaeR3myxnjsujq-_S2itXwTEkAmEqpWqDpPdLlYvmrzM3WAAsafoHfOftoEprLv4PUOL7cqSgCpD0Fh89d5TsS_5MjRsGyI-OJulS3_IiOmsbPV91IBMgbvZvB7wQayNppe9puTB/s2048/IMG_20201208_185507.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uykftaeR3myxnjsujq-_S2itXwTEkAmEqpWqDpPdLlYvmrzM3WAAsafoHfOftoEprLv4PUOL7cqSgCpD0Fh89d5TsS_5MjRsGyI-OJulS3_IiOmsbPV91IBMgbvZvB7wQayNppe9puTB/w400-h400/IMG_20201208_185507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly baked ginger lemon cookies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQcqEx-HdpnU2vj6UbshaEkndq49ZgR5N3r3Cej74xVtWb53gZ2MZr8HzclFwxPJWoYAxKOlNvrOh42Yq9fIIrupU629Hq1QX8Wxp6jNgfF2q53_FH-Dx5usmuCeeZMRF53DXl5DAydbI/s2048/IMG_20201208_192121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQcqEx-HdpnU2vj6UbshaEkndq49ZgR5N3r3Cej74xVtWb53gZ2MZr8HzclFwxPJWoYAxKOlNvrOh42Yq9fIIrupU629Hq1QX8Wxp6jNgfF2q53_FH-Dx5usmuCeeZMRF53DXl5DAydbI/w400-h400/IMG_20201208_192121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacked cookies make a great gift</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN03bkZMTSOwK1WYN3j_6xQ8YPaAuAvpHc5oooJfehPCSljFWrTjlaDgct5B-VZNJTEB1Q_x60WBjSevqNzwqonCM2q6Bxt06VwZUamjBp1a1JgDoqJyNO8vzAlUm5EMSlTBCUWc-A4uWu/s2048/IMG_20201208_192510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN03bkZMTSOwK1WYN3j_6xQ8YPaAuAvpHc5oooJfehPCSljFWrTjlaDgct5B-VZNJTEB1Q_x60WBjSevqNzwqonCM2q6Bxt06VwZUamjBp1a1JgDoqJyNO8vzAlUm5EMSlTBCUWc-A4uWu/w400-h400/IMG_20201208_192510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a spiced tea and a cookie, <br />can you see a piece of lemon zest in the cookie, <br />it's such a complimentary flavour to the warmth of the ginger</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"> Just over two weeks to Christmas Eve, how are your preparations going? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">♥</span></b></p>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-46962463816898010792020-12-08T06:17:00.000+00:002020-12-08T06:17:33.019+00:00Wire decorations<div style="text-align: left;">I have long wanted to make myself some wire decorations and so felt it high time to give it a go. Raiding the shed where the other half stores his bits and bobs, I managed to find pretty much all I needed: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRKBCLIo8DK5qGi1EuDHza74Ximcw_xetQD1PcsSFBLu5P8cz2eFfD5iAi3a2ln-yZr7X0MoW4cb3OTYmmVoSjrh36Maddld20z6WGlekmwH02X0feF_MRH7rxwl5WOkWkrWEHJ6juFPq/s2048/IMG_20201123_184315.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRKBCLIo8DK5qGi1EuDHza74Ximcw_xetQD1PcsSFBLu5P8cz2eFfD5iAi3a2ln-yZr7X0MoW4cb3OTYmmVoSjrh36Maddld20z6WGlekmwH02X0feF_MRH7rxwl5WOkWkrWEHJ6juFPq/s320/IMG_20201123_184315.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel wire decoration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>wire, strong enough to hold a shape but soft enough to be pliable</li><li>pliers also used for wire cutting as well as holding and shaping</li><li>nails and hammer (I tried dressmaking pins at first but they were not strong enough)</li><li>A piece of board to hammer into, I used an old chopping board past its sell by date but still lurking in the kitchen</li><li>various objects from around the house to aid shape formation</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>This seems to be the year of angel making for me, a surprise as they are not something I am usually drawn to. But I really fancied making some wire angels which is how this all began.</p><p>First I drew out the size and shape of the angel I was after, use the below photo to help you, roughly I decided to use a figure of 8 shape, have the head about 1/3 the size of the entire angel and to have the wings about the same length as the angel from head to base. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jRRwGM9sDEYVbius4k0lHd8AkKi37EboyRKiQHAV3z_5cCf2ClndhatkgFxBntOEt5n4PnxoyEx00xeywdnr2ehD_7_umbW-zQGZgde_j1Bjp-xQyYTsBIZ2xYLBGstOvpqv3gwkzt3Y/s1591/B8235C47-68AB-473F-93E1-A74D96471C62.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jRRwGM9sDEYVbius4k0lHd8AkKi37EboyRKiQHAV3z_5cCf2ClndhatkgFxBntOEt5n4PnxoyEx00xeywdnr2ehD_7_umbW-zQGZgde_j1Bjp-xQyYTsBIZ2xYLBGstOvpqv3gwkzt3Y/s320/B8235C47-68AB-473F-93E1-A74D96471C62.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNDEEOFIBK-8YszahVp1BLtB0rKJs_v_1BDLSF2xda0-KBkJJ0ssGiJwG5WsWTfqdTUSzJTghTuwy7Rs06xcGfqPEwqZrhWvHB1Yo1PnAg49oswvOsoWYpceFfZSc_90uiI18z82uvrf_/s2048/IMG_20201114_110121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNDEEOFIBK-8YszahVp1BLtB0rKJs_v_1BDLSF2xda0-KBkJJ0ssGiJwG5WsWTfqdTUSzJTghTuwy7Rs06xcGfqPEwqZrhWvHB1Yo1PnAg49oswvOsoWYpceFfZSc_90uiI18z82uvrf_/s320/IMG_20201114_110121.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being organised before starting to craft <br />makes life so much easier, gather <br />everything you may need before you begin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeBXCIWDyJlIqnZQvVy09hydXpc6Sewirfb7a7r-c_EP8QEIr8OrKdARn33oYzJ41ZFP9-p6aVniZe3qTG4sUIvKXInIz_ufyuywwq021TbB3A2y2pXdokpM7znbpruaLuAZj5V5dfde0/s2048/IMG_20201114_110441.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeBXCIWDyJlIqnZQvVy09hydXpc6Sewirfb7a7r-c_EP8QEIr8OrKdARn33oYzJ41ZFP9-p6aVniZe3qTG4sUIvKXInIz_ufyuywwq021TbB3A2y2pXdokpM7znbpruaLuAZj5V5dfde0/w200-h200/IMG_20201114_110441.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial wire bending to make <br />the head and body of the angel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once I had a rough idea I began winding the wire around my hands to create the figure of 8 shape you see in the photos. I wasn’t entirely happy with the end figure of 8 shape so on my second attempt, I used a round speaker and a bottle of paint to wind the wire around to form a much neater figure of 8. Once satisfied, or as satisfied as I could be, I wound a few times around between the body and the head to form a neck. </div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPL3AVpM8cBvfmKCb1oNqeERakPJIq91Oa1l5E5yqmcjrfIqbc8pIGRIWYwQA4rtHNT4eKHsNn5L_yPb6lKaSX8Of4-N92kO5lJjuNG4EwV4IELbMQf-z0qs5lEUwm_sHA5KJH5X4bSrH/s2048/IMG_20201114_110539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPL3AVpM8cBvfmKCb1oNqeERakPJIq91Oa1l5E5yqmcjrfIqbc8pIGRIWYwQA4rtHNT4eKHsNn5L_yPb6lKaSX8Of4-N92kO5lJjuNG4EwV4IELbMQf-z0qs5lEUwm_sHA5KJH5X4bSrH/s320/IMG_20201114_110539.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic angel body</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeX9ky8IXuAJjXnPNPw-15LT46e7dLlXv6K1R7iCo4tzNroD2_9Z5APuGpcAfLz_o5YwDpZI42mzjhIJngSIi9MEjUf84kjgFTbLrgn94ieiTtWAp7wf2VWVEtOCYt9Vk-MzXDZps9Efh/s2048/IMG_20201114_113631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeX9ky8IXuAJjXnPNPw-15LT46e7dLlXv6K1R7iCo4tzNroD2_9Z5APuGpcAfLz_o5YwDpZI42mzjhIJngSIi9MEjUf84kjgFTbLrgn94ieiTtWAp7wf2VWVEtOCYt9Vk-MzXDZps9Efh/s320/IMG_20201114_113631.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To make a more defined and smooth body and head <br />you can use everyday objects and wind <br />the wire around them, here I have used a <br />speaker and a bottle of paint!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moving onto the wings I again created an 8 shape but perpendicular to the body. After having completed 3 rounds I then spread the wire out to create a more wing-like look. I played around with each of the angels I made so there is no uniform look. I like it a bit eclectic as you can probably tell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMuP6nVM8Tl0uCUUVxkgYdeU9nU_cuLbTn8tcLUtapRZetNaX8jCy6vxsUK3EDT_5pTbYGUJmBeOf-Dp0nH4g1CWHzak55PIegrOudXU9bkHWA7mW3sor450cDAmNBTP7ixMn3WTZfCBE/s2048/IMG_20201123_184002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMuP6nVM8Tl0uCUUVxkgYdeU9nU_cuLbTn8tcLUtapRZetNaX8jCy6vxsUK3EDT_5pTbYGUJmBeOf-Dp0nH4g1CWHzak55PIegrOudXU9bkHWA7mW3sor450cDAmNBTP7ixMn3WTZfCBE/s320/IMG_20201123_184002.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wire angel has the spread-out wings</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmky2o6HNkhvStr4vA4uxaNrkFNl1_tqksBIXu3s5F7s7XxwLqOMqGMN-1Ovcj-0dPVeTIKaFLNqHjjXYFvS-WCJSLeRDu3ClaY0OlVsR7DBThV_FzchdPasdOXtCxLd71E3Zx2vHRmf_/s2048/IMG_20201123_184253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmky2o6HNkhvStr4vA4uxaNrkFNl1_tqksBIXu3s5F7s7XxwLqOMqGMN-1Ovcj-0dPVeTIKaFLNqHjjXYFvS-WCJSLeRDu3ClaY0OlVsR7DBThV_FzchdPasdOXtCxLd71E3Zx2vHRmf_/s320/IMG_20201123_184253.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mantlepiece often has a change <br />around even during the festive season!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ADiheEFD6Ojnt45bTAiVoVKOk6oClubglLP2uMqO3nRBs60wk8pqeWnx-yQlz2GHB7NxCuu8uTaU0CwV9Hkag5LVmlOZtn4dUm-Ldggo1umtHAlB_Jcn_vjIUc6513KpSo3wd48aGBbH/s2048/IMG_20201114_120424.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ADiheEFD6Ojnt45bTAiVoVKOk6oClubglLP2uMqO3nRBs60wk8pqeWnx-yQlz2GHB7NxCuu8uTaU0CwV9Hkag5LVmlOZtn4dUm-Ldggo1umtHAlB_Jcn_vjIUc6513KpSo3wd48aGBbH/s320/IMG_20201114_120424.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draw out the star shape and hammer in nails <br />at each vertex, <br />I nailed into an old wooden chopping board</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;">To make the stars, I drew out the shape I was after and then placed the paper onto my old chopping board, hammering in nails at every vertex, so each point of the star and at each inside join, see photo for clarification. I then wound the wire around the nails making a complete turn around each nail, remembering not to pull too tightly as I needed to remove the stars from the board. Saying that I did use a pair of pliers to try and make the wire a little straighter between each nail. Again be careful to not pull too tight or the wire could snap. Once I reached the beginning nail again I made a twisted hook so to be able to hang the star up with. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each angel and star were made to be deliberately different but if you wanted a more uniform look that would work too. These are rustic <strike><i>or do I mean childish-looking decoration</i> </strike>but I happen to quite like them. They won’t win me any prizes but in my dining room with low lighting, I think they look ok. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGAwCx_6XRqnxkLKy_X4PQeNA35yxmXEgp6b9-_h7ywAH5zfsjzahLG2iyKh5HYhgFI3Fdv1STA_i11ou7matfrFozMA-WTyyTOxMYynuMYGjMcIvMYX9zqhldiGIb1zxxXdFlz7Y9Cy6/s2048/IMG_20201114_122816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGAwCx_6XRqnxkLKy_X4PQeNA35yxmXEgp6b9-_h7ywAH5zfsjzahLG2iyKh5HYhgFI3Fdv1STA_i11ou7matfrFozMA-WTyyTOxMYynuMYGjMcIvMYX9zqhldiGIb1zxxXdFlz7Y9Cy6/s320/IMG_20201114_122816.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depending on the strength of your wire you can use the pliers <br />to pull the wire a little tauter and make the edges straighter <br />and crisper, this is not necessary however</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQjOSAHENfRhQ2OcMUkYm9n-v5E-Rda4RGxVb6D0ZBGBsoGDv5OKLfw7KFP8mNMj1zRTQiKBk__m6TAnjVBxI7L7oy_bisJq1mYXhQ4825cmgN8_Rf2fMrdw5N4fgwTCMBJzf9f6E3zG2/s2048/IMG_20201114_123755.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQjOSAHENfRhQ2OcMUkYm9n-v5E-Rda4RGxVb6D0ZBGBsoGDv5OKLfw7KFP8mNMj1zRTQiKBk__m6TAnjVBxI7L7oy_bisJq1mYXhQ4825cmgN8_Rf2fMrdw5N4fgwTCMBJzf9f6E3zG2/s320/IMG_20201114_123755.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <i>'rustic' </i>wire star decoration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEY1sDsvI4QSMUP-x04gKnnHfplfKjV7jqElWRYw8Bs4gR2y7Xw5Fy5vbdpo48xfCindHPh12M5vUXW_yZNNqTU03CEuzohocK_4lrOtumEOfIkn2EeSGk8xL7ddSMm6ejE_5yCsZyBI4/s2048/IMG_20201123_184034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEY1sDsvI4QSMUP-x04gKnnHfplfKjV7jqElWRYw8Bs4gR2y7Xw5Fy5vbdpo48xfCindHPh12M5vUXW_yZNNqTU03CEuzohocK_4lrOtumEOfIkn2EeSGk8xL7ddSMm6ejE_5yCsZyBI4/s320/IMG_20201123_184034.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot a couple of stars hidden in the garland?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was no stopping whilst I had the equipment out. I made a couple of Christmas tree wire holders. That can either be used for place names, small menu or drinks cards or even as a tree decoration in its own right. Once I begin on a theme it just rolls and rolls. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">What else could be made<span> with wire...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRQWMX5QpBhSTV6uGmd68DUQQutwFZX0WlNCYLK5L-L2x1O394h7iGtPOiR6FLbU-BykMNTroBZYahB3rWPM0C9P4PFr2KYkgesDk5z7f89VSQitXA2XgsaqQsf67MdVe4Jpb_iL9D87z/s2048/IMG_20201114_151054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRQWMX5QpBhSTV6uGmd68DUQQutwFZX0WlNCYLK5L-L2x1O394h7iGtPOiR6FLbU-BykMNTroBZYahB3rWPM0C9P4PFr2KYkgesDk5z7f89VSQitXA2XgsaqQsf67MdVe4Jpb_iL9D87z/s320/IMG_20201114_151054.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcddiXQBV_b0Qfqo01BMjhex39EOdo7JMA5KFDc_bY_65Gl2qAJzpVZaUBjqKK_6lboAKQ-aYgYH9Bk0dGeN7tsDwwglCMQTuSJ9-imGRvfTJHtp14fgRBe8eVgB-1VCPwF7yC9HatOZSB/s2048/IMG_20201114_151415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcddiXQBV_b0Qfqo01BMjhex39EOdo7JMA5KFDc_bY_65Gl2qAJzpVZaUBjqKK_6lboAKQ-aYgYH9Bk0dGeN7tsDwwglCMQTuSJ9-imGRvfTJHtp14fgRBe8eVgB-1VCPwF7yC9HatOZSB/s320/IMG_20201114_151415.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> What have you planned to make this year? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></p></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-35478876582267240882020-12-07T06:39:00.000+00:002020-12-07T06:39:35.052+00:00Christmas basket<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Christmas crafting begins in the summer for me when </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I visit mamma in Norway and this year despite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the coronavirus I managed to squeeze in a quick flying </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">visit to see her and of course some knitting... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_myUflbe_ky5C2iGLIZNmgFp4DNvcWjlsFll_SpHNP46wPQuvghui-xhv7Oaso47mO_IW7Jufk27ON7vBeiW3gxQdl09D1Ma5KIB1cmdCO8chMx2JHrx-zX8EhXU0EzxhiNL3S5IH8-Ri/s2048/IMG_20201121_182527.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_myUflbe_ky5C2iGLIZNmgFp4DNvcWjlsFll_SpHNP46wPQuvghui-xhv7Oaso47mO_IW7Jufk27ON7vBeiW3gxQdl09D1Ma5KIB1cmdCO8chMx2JHrx-zX8EhXU0EzxhiNL3S5IH8-Ri/w320-h315/IMG_20201121_182527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I love felting, all types but there is something quite unknown about knitting/felting as to what size your eventual items will be. Wondering whether the width will marry up correctly to the height. Mamma always says it depends too on your washing machine, a bit like knowing your own oven, does your oven cook a little quicker or slower than recipes say and so it is with washing machines ... it all adds to the spice I say.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzumGDYXyoPlkCSJgAGxcXo0L2MAVg94KfEzfw4kQ_nWXcdg3SryW8bCAMuVT17-iN46GoWk86gXLQ0c528nL1w4kui1W-ibhp2ym58mAdhdWzyro94VZQkkd44VTF3zkCgYxdE_rL_xE/s2048/IMG_20201014_173721.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzumGDYXyoPlkCSJgAGxcXo0L2MAVg94KfEzfw4kQ_nWXcdg3SryW8bCAMuVT17-iN46GoWk86gXLQ0c528nL1w4kui1W-ibhp2ym58mAdhdWzyro94VZQkkd44VTF3zkCgYxdE_rL_xE/s320/IMG_20201014_173721.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love how increases look on dpn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5F2G9YfHmn2XwZW-oIUOQEJez5y-1U9_3C6GTXfsVGHFK9XcCbNmnGvZ6FK7jxUYY5JcSSLTsOYOgsyne4sMoZ4CEJlMJ2CTqBVjm_DrETAzHmXVGAPBXDxUJXhtPzY7r7gD5TO3KRV_/s2048/IMG_20201015_074844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5F2G9YfHmn2XwZW-oIUOQEJez5y-1U9_3C6GTXfsVGHFK9XcCbNmnGvZ6FK7jxUYY5JcSSLTsOYOgsyne4sMoZ4CEJlMJ2CTqBVjm_DrETAzHmXVGAPBXDxUJXhtPzY7r7gD5TO3KRV_/s320/IMG_20201015_074844.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so exciting when the pattern begins to emerge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2u0OM_r7wiwq3DnDqQJzoLSATw8FFCP0UgUjf_KD15ZrpFLspVF3BTx_lEGEakij8pDDrZN3DEYvxGtdlxH9TsQJTR5i7UnJbeL8y4_ClN2KwV3lBjC0Ehf8k5tyBZ6l9L0-RiNRKND1/s2048/IMG_20201015_094039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2u0OM_r7wiwq3DnDqQJzoLSATw8FFCP0UgUjf_KD15ZrpFLspVF3BTx_lEGEakij8pDDrZN3DEYvxGtdlxH9TsQJTR5i7UnJbeL8y4_ClN2KwV3lBjC0Ehf8k5tyBZ6l9L0-RiNRKND1/s320/IMG_20201015_094039.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basket begins to emerge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeFRYFBm5yyiSK9TGL7DcO2pzNyohCaO4SvjFOBuVMmvdHV-uF-jZfbP4DWsacupWL4DKM-byEjbyT4XeFA6SY1kYEKdyzzp6xeva5-JrSAscO5HnpduvWWnyV4ovEjwaqyJgJgbgsm2g/s2048/IMG_20201015_094119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeFRYFBm5yyiSK9TGL7DcO2pzNyohCaO4SvjFOBuVMmvdHV-uF-jZfbP4DWsacupWL4DKM-byEjbyT4XeFA6SY1kYEKdyzzp6xeva5-JrSAscO5HnpduvWWnyV4ovEjwaqyJgJgbgsm2g/s320/IMG_20201015_094119.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stitch definition will be lost when felted</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1ol4E27d0nUNv409nc9bcHeQX2DIWyKuJJ4RIRt2SmvMYLI4hUHMc1ulKjGQz74WFHNfNDwmtgK-2P2FhvXyZT52-oY30_4EAAAFzxA_lGC7vseWPuNIYTfvQLPp9k4oKyZCxOl-fscn/s2048/IMG_20201015_130413.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1ol4E27d0nUNv409nc9bcHeQX2DIWyKuJJ4RIRt2SmvMYLI4hUHMc1ulKjGQz74WFHNfNDwmtgK-2P2FhvXyZT52-oY30_4EAAAFzxA_lGC7vseWPuNIYTfvQLPp9k4oKyZCxOl-fscn/s320/IMG_20201015_130413.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basket before felting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkNU3Phd2LXGTi8k7640SXVoF93TdsMydBIwomlSQt1BEo4bwAod1ZfVrYqGYP3gPT3RaXaFioj0FEAF7bKMoVwGmx7rB2ie9sl51qj5BqWoF1IxRKM4i3hK_bL80q3V5X7F1UvWHp0IR/s2048/IMG_20201015_130631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkNU3Phd2LXGTi8k7640SXVoF93TdsMydBIwomlSQt1BEo4bwAod1ZfVrYqGYP3gPT3RaXaFioj0FEAF7bKMoVwGmx7rB2ie9sl51qj5BqWoF1IxRKM4i3hK_bL80q3V5X7F1UvWHp0IR/s320/IMG_20201015_130631.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dpn decreases for the base of the basket</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpY0LNCSlTuS-Y_CYIxeB94GtGyt1C32bhBmt6yhfNZ0Kqf4IvCmistJU7J6UEY8F01WTSley7oTAA27Cs7DTpGR9x-sCPtETp-Vkk3DvnNQtJGiE4st5bjcuNdNokP2oKLrW_dfCmuwP/s2048/IMG_20201015_130745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpY0LNCSlTuS-Y_CYIxeB94GtGyt1C32bhBmt6yhfNZ0Kqf4IvCmistJU7J6UEY8F01WTSley7oTAA27Cs7DTpGR9x-sCPtETp-Vkk3DvnNQtJGiE4st5bjcuNdNokP2oKLrW_dfCmuwP/s320/IMG_20201015_130745.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could this be a hat? <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumMrtnEpP57a2V5APE1kodi63gnv45eEWZ-ny1FRR3HyzfuuX-wSoapOoWJjRfXiztMRY3b6QbFihwMHOeELitnntfWgSSyiCRVylSoICbobAeewgCQ73NR8GzfEle1HRvtPtyr3lrCK2/s2048/IMG_20201015_130748.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumMrtnEpP57a2V5APE1kodi63gnv45eEWZ-ny1FRR3HyzfuuX-wSoapOoWJjRfXiztMRY3b6QbFihwMHOeELitnntfWgSSyiCRVylSoICbobAeewgCQ73NR8GzfEle1HRvtPtyr3lrCK2/s320/IMG_20201015_130748.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo to show the size of the basket before felting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpdpQSp-P-1mTv5XX0IWlHg7D1Zsw89Q9gjjeIHYXtB4zM7z3SRQFDFxop-XMCStS0TiynO_gTTiNSGhNuAPZytoJ7X9RiIpRTCMrYGFHnvnNJnDQNP5s_QAQ372m4mPuFmUR6fNJ4cDg/s320/IMG_20201015_131143.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place the knitted basket in the washing machine with a couple of <br />towels to aid the friction and rubbing whilst being washed<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Once the basket comes out of the washing machine it is imperative to mould it onto something to get the correct shape. Sometimes it takes a few goes to find the correct mould... </span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-zeROb18HRX9fnfDu9U_zzhADGG197kKc4tFg6XklmJ2FMJk5jdQpWHXJSNF870NzTvcFTm2jNwJlauyT_ElNsBGacCzCEDNYaje47Np8-2OTPxekXDp18y3odZ2sXB0L5mqRUnKcJzA/s2048/IMG_20201015_152842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-zeROb18HRX9fnfDu9U_zzhADGG197kKc4tFg6XklmJ2FMJk5jdQpWHXJSNF870NzTvcFTm2jNwJlauyT_ElNsBGacCzCEDNYaje47Np8-2OTPxekXDp18y3odZ2sXB0L5mqRUnKcJzA/s320/IMG_20201015_152842.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I definitely was not the correct size or shape for the drying process so I resorted to using a bucket. Unfortunately, the photos I took have mysteriously disappeared and as I do not own a round bucket and now with lockdown restrictions in place I can not just 'pop' back over to mamma's to take another photo with her bucket, you will have to imagine the next photo...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Imagine a photo here of an upturned purple bucket, <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">with the felted basket, wet and dripping with water, tied around and around <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">tightly to the bucket to hold the walls as close as possible to the sides of the bucket.</span></i></b></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7h4ZYKGnOBrFJP4sOkEvlt9x6LsZ8FtKAaZS3ZDzk-gZBRhCI-PxA4hjXxR3cLGIkYlAYwRc12rk8y_OG8Z693z7MBl3IrZPKahZVZ08t71WUPeKPU-uPNdkLebvoymMR-DgRMlC9Mzy/s608/Capture.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7h4ZYKGnOBrFJP4sOkEvlt9x6LsZ8FtKAaZS3ZDzk-gZBRhCI-PxA4hjXxR3cLGIkYlAYwRc12rk8y_OG8Z693z7MBl3IrZPKahZVZ08t71WUPeKPU-uPNdkLebvoymMR-DgRMlC9Mzy/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a mock-up of what the <br />the imagined photo could look like... ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjxLfMtXygU0YNzWL7M9vx0WfYj5Ba3PXa1ScAltkYhhseIo-mEla8UHijgAukjrz1f_IXnKONVCTXnx0w_hvo-bDxoz7uBdW8EEI_XXwSOQr1eE1Z-3KEtnuh2O15AB9Xg3QnkOV9zCf/s2048/IMG_20201016_101813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjxLfMtXygU0YNzWL7M9vx0WfYj5Ba3PXa1ScAltkYhhseIo-mEla8UHijgAukjrz1f_IXnKONVCTXnx0w_hvo-bDxoz7uBdW8EEI_XXwSOQr1eE1Z-3KEtnuh2O15AB9Xg3QnkOV9zCf/s320/IMG_20201016_101813.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christmas Felted basket, ready to use</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The basket is large, it has a diameter of 25cm and a height of 16cm and is proving perfect for Christmas satsumas and clementines...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfBeFF1RoPweocnuwuSOMLFp7aXKYBJfY0KNoMuHNgKNRwSoXkW0ZjJk7Cw-U7FSMp91SOyg-pjZ9pOkaYOyyCpjh5qelvVqMdBHlxaKIl3Lo1gu2lmj5tOfM3c70_Sq9E4WNlgUf1jUh/s2613/IMG_20201121_182504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfBeFF1RoPweocnuwuSOMLFp7aXKYBJfY0KNoMuHNgKNRwSoXkW0ZjJk7Cw-U7FSMp91SOyg-pjZ9pOkaYOyyCpjh5qelvVqMdBHlxaKIl3Lo1gu2lmj5tOfM3c70_Sq9E4WNlgUf1jUh/w294-h640/IMG_20201121_182504.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitted felt basket full of Christmas satsumas, <br />what could be more appealing?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQnyFcGdG_gXrwnNT-t7Hw7rI2wbu4R-r1MUJoaay6Wk-gUMhQmVo66LM3chRkMIbT1IAX3HJyWbukzCipQjbaXeWMPmmCLF2yoNNIy5qhyphenhyphenK35MPqbuPhO1UyQnQIXiQ_21Yi9F6qzYcC/s2048/IMG_20201121_182527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQnyFcGdG_gXrwnNT-t7Hw7rI2wbu4R-r1MUJoaay6Wk-gUMhQmVo66LM3chRkMIbT1IAX3HJyWbukzCipQjbaXeWMPmmCLF2yoNNIy5qhyphenhyphenK35MPqbuPhO1UyQnQIXiQ_21Yi9F6qzYcC/w400-h400/IMG_20201121_182527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p></p><div>If you are interested in making this, the pattern is from Garn Studio and can be found here: <a href="https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=7773&cid=19">Felt basket</a> they also have patterns for Spring baskets too.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> <span style="color: red;">How are your Christmas preparations coming along?</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></span></div></blockquote></div></blockquote>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-34069127242489476402020-12-06T08:49:00.008+00:002020-12-06T08:49:40.571+00:00Christmas Angels<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9aEXtytd7shFTCGk7ocQwEyUp7aHTdkT1tUGhw0_wSN96Xp7p90gOvYW_FEHPmpllnR973f5d4uRKy4vG7jn84TGRA_ztyUgq3s8_8oqUDAi41DJm1HWiZrFm4eG4rubLm8E6VRc1UWR/s2048/IMG_20201121_153554.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1354" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9aEXtytd7shFTCGk7ocQwEyUp7aHTdkT1tUGhw0_wSN96Xp7p90gOvYW_FEHPmpllnR973f5d4uRKy4vG7jn84TGRA_ztyUgq3s8_8oqUDAi41DJm1HWiZrFm4eG4rubLm8E6VRc1UWR/w424-h640/IMG_20201121_153554.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>I'm not generally a fan of angels unless I think back to my daughter's nativity play and of course, she was the most gorgeous angel that ever walked this earth ;) but when I came across these little angles and could see what a quick make they would be, I was tempted and an angel workshop began in my home. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>These are uber quick to make and thanks to Atty's clever design easy to memorise to make too, so you are not constantly having to refer back to how to make each piece.</p><p><br /></p><p>Atty uses lovely primary colours with her angels but I was keen to decorate my porch this year with more muted colours and I think along with the natural vegetation there is a sense of calm about the Christmas porch an understated, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON feeling...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pattern and link to Atty's angels are at the bottom of this post. She makes the body out of a large circle and folds it in half sewing a few stitches down to hold the fold. The head is made the same way, with the same number of stitches but only uses one round and the wings are the clever bit...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqzrRox-JaNPqcMDVHE5nE9O_h9SQujuMFdkVKHqzyaEo2yDSYW5xASVWa9sRQLt83SAYj3VE1IYZR5ovaK7vjz-DhJwH4D5LZe_EXCyd8fjDYLmJYxzGjbpVEMAjtYjK_puX-XSlsTZ3/s2048/IMG_20201123_144456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqzrRox-JaNPqcMDVHE5nE9O_h9SQujuMFdkVKHqzyaEo2yDSYW5xASVWa9sRQLt83SAYj3VE1IYZR5ovaK7vjz-DhJwH4D5LZe_EXCyd8fjDYLmJYxzGjbpVEMAjtYjK_puX-XSlsTZ3/s320/IMG_20201123_144456.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocheted angel wings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-bbdRbFxeoO5p7eysayND_g8zTnXrO-1KN5VN-9wqoAOpvZ3_PTwqrtBwQteAvQRgeBtDDCaGxmnHKhmZEKbF5lloCYn5mm6Ztjr85QRx61EF9kOrWuNhzfO_-L1PtFXuv5n-QF1rx0v/s2048/IMG_20201121_153606+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-bbdRbFxeoO5p7eysayND_g8zTnXrO-1KN5VN-9wqoAOpvZ3_PTwqrtBwQteAvQRgeBtDDCaGxmnHKhmZEKbF5lloCYn5mm6Ztjr85QRx61EF9kOrWuNhzfO_-L1PtFXuv5n-QF1rx0v/w398-h640/IMG_20201121_153606+%25282%2529.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have used very neutral colours for the angel but click on the link <br />below and see the wonderful colour selection that Atty herself has used</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwhyRt9txXNilP5vrjE85bgga0K-XIfvHCg2ZEu1oZT69uAjtiu93uC7qF6Dy-lu63jMOHgGs6m_a0vCZ9xdew4EY3FbLdFReyEIdGGnmIWWim2iI4j0lkqyuvL2nCIlp6ZXEKLNxiuZI/s2554/IMG_20201121_153619.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2554" data-original-width="1176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwhyRt9txXNilP5vrjE85bgga0K-XIfvHCg2ZEu1oZT69uAjtiu93uC7qF6Dy-lu63jMOHgGs6m_a0vCZ9xdew4EY3FbLdFReyEIdGGnmIWWim2iI4j0lkqyuvL2nCIlp6ZXEKLNxiuZI/w294-h640/IMG_20201121_153619.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocheted angel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LGtq-A_5OODW6LYzeM6mne490B7BRCEpllsiY8EQMttvpxGrP9TCSz_iW2jhy66Ju13ZvXm7xkizYKUImETF9iA8_R10t2HHDVAerMQ86RzNs8bAzMNbw71dw9zP6Arv3_yEdWHP0M50/s2613/IMG_20201121_153541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2613" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LGtq-A_5OODW6LYzeM6mne490B7BRCEpllsiY8EQMttvpxGrP9TCSz_iW2jhy66Ju13ZvXm7xkizYKUImETF9iA8_R10t2HHDVAerMQ86RzNs8bAzMNbw71dw9zP6Arv3_yEdWHP0M50/w640-h294/IMG_20201121_153541.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the side of my porch, a simple decoration of crocheted angels and vegetation from the garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>To find the pattern click on <a href="https://atty-s.com/2019/11/free-crochet-angel-pattern.html">Atty's Angel pattern</a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> <span style="color: red;">What are your favourite decorations to have?</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-32925749269404440492020-12-05T08:57:00.002+00:002020-12-05T09:49:49.086+00:00Rolled Oat Cookies <div style="text-align: left;">Today I share the third of the seven Christmas cookies and these have a special place in my heart as they remind me of my Norwegian grandfather, who we called, 'Far' which actually means Dad. He had simple tastes in life asked only that people around him worked hard, were honest and put family first. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODjPQtrqgCi6Exsl5qonzGsLjVHu_kK0OncPQbQtJb_dSAsOziK-2GHrDmbcf-jG1iZzt3X8h8rMo-6gV3L33cyV2YTIhqM_LosPcPYitNQE7jgq0qJr6XlIlhhAx0rlU2jK7F4JLRcWN/s2048/IMG_20201205_080844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODjPQtrqgCi6Exsl5qonzGsLjVHu_kK0OncPQbQtJb_dSAsOziK-2GHrDmbcf-jG1iZzt3X8h8rMo-6gV3L33cyV2YTIhqM_LosPcPYitNQE7jgq0qJr6XlIlhhAx0rlU2jK7F4JLRcWN/w200-h200/IMG_20201205_080844.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oat cookies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> He loved these cookies, simple ingredients found in the store cupboard nothing special but wow buttery and lovely. You'll forever be remembered Far...</div><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Rolled Oat Cookies</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> <span style="color: red;">You will need</span>: makes between 20-25 cookies </p><div style="text-align: left;">225g butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">270g rolled oats </div><div style="text-align: left;">100g sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 egg</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>Melt the butter in a pan and then add the rolled oats. Stir them in and keep on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the oats are golden in colour. </p><p>Remove from the heat to cool a little. </p><p>In a separate bowl add the sugar and egg. Mix together until the sugar begins to dissolve. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUq5YVALfY7hPg7fFF_th2dpAnrdQXRF-MroCwV0Y7Wx_q8yagOr6cQHsGdeTUnf013rejeUBEXE4XX8K4epSB80JthmNQxLVdzDYbaf9EyLNRwTT6SiEH25Yl6aMOQrjh4u_eas4SiHp/s2048/IMG_20201204_180808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUq5YVALfY7hPg7fFF_th2dpAnrdQXRF-MroCwV0Y7Wx_q8yagOr6cQHsGdeTUnf013rejeUBEXE4XX8K4epSB80JthmNQxLVdzDYbaf9EyLNRwTT6SiEH25Yl6aMOQrjh4u_eas4SiHp/s320/IMG_20201204_180808.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave to cool before storing in an airtight container</td></tr></tbody></table>Add the oats to the sugar and mix thoroughly. </p><p>Place drops of the mixture onto lined baking sheets. Leaving room between each as they will spread. <br /></p><p>Bake in a preheated oven at 140 degrees Celsius for about 10-12 minutes or until golden in colour. </p><p>Cool on a wire rack. </p><p>Store in an airtight container. These will keep for up to a week. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAe9tWWdst_hreMpG3XNo9OA-OdMAF-hXHS6H0Wo5Vcgt8eh3zXrynt6JZWsEqvOS1IONsSjREqthu1bni9bn-75yU9GqYcotlP-2RYl-eIN7sbZLPs-CYdF5OVgR_b-Nwlr8ZUm9Nu7c/s2048/IMG_20201205_080844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAe9tWWdst_hreMpG3XNo9OA-OdMAF-hXHS6H0Wo5Vcgt8eh3zXrynt6JZWsEqvOS1IONsSjREqthu1bni9bn-75yU9GqYcotlP-2RYl-eIN7sbZLPs-CYdF5OVgR_b-Nwlr8ZUm9Nu7c/s320/IMG_20201205_080844.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Won't you join me for cookies and coffee?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥ </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Have you made any Christmas cookies yet? </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">How do you store you Christmas edibles? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Below are the three cookies that I have baked so far and the tins they are in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkMcHDelKBWT7dCY98pUOYlSTS4Q7dZj8TzxdfCUEbqBk22hxAr5VqjeIGfmunXqxewI4H4F7pGbdupRWbYHF6N91i4IEWJu-nZYr9ume2xfq7EpqnX8jms5YGYl5kmgNH5Gi4j-F1uqm/s2048/IMG_20201205_081024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkMcHDelKBWT7dCY98pUOYlSTS4Q7dZj8TzxdfCUEbqBk22hxAr5VqjeIGfmunXqxewI4H4F7pGbdupRWbYHF6N91i4IEWJu-nZYr9ume2xfq7EpqnX8jms5YGYl5kmgNH5Gi4j-F1uqm/s320/IMG_20201205_081024.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie tin storage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So far we have made pepperkake, Farmer Biscuits and now the Rolled Oat Cookies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIgNYjYflImI6W_QB4-4oDkMuTW0nNULvLvqPcZhTu3yfky_ExwYCICU2HlRhiTAEP17tVzbZ1RgmiydaWknyllndVmTL939M8WSDw-lBlegSppqHSMzPdKHd-fSFJYri5xdkwa86SKuY/s2048/IMG_20201205_080942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIgNYjYflImI6W_QB4-4oDkMuTW0nNULvLvqPcZhTu3yfky_ExwYCICU2HlRhiTAEP17tVzbZ1RgmiydaWknyllndVmTL939M8WSDw-lBlegSppqHSMzPdKHd-fSFJYri5xdkwa86SKuY/w400-h400/IMG_20201205_080942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From front to back:<br />Pepperkake<br />Farmer Biscuits<br />Rolled Oat Cookies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-69640469650171452022020-12-03T15:25:00.007+00:002020-12-04T05:50:02.050+00:00Christmas Pot holders<p></p><b></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MvNYj44v3rc08jDWgnbRPnVil0vepVRgz1n5ZMOTSZlDZMt4Kgi_xrav1ZXfhOBxvCQGxfQ6jYvHrj-vtSC1mhcTQmiOnfr-VBMLIOjC1tmV71oVjY05ZPj5hUGZ3QiYzH8nF2S77Dwd/s2048/IMG_20200828_121153.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MvNYj44v3rc08jDWgnbRPnVil0vepVRgz1n5ZMOTSZlDZMt4Kgi_xrav1ZXfhOBxvCQGxfQ6jYvHrj-vtSC1mhcTQmiOnfr-VBMLIOjC1tmV71oVjY05ZPj5hUGZ3QiYzH8nF2S77Dwd/w200-h200/IMG_20200828_121153.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas potholders, Norwegian style</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;">I tend to think about my Christmas makes towards the end of the summer and usually when I am home visiting mamma in Norway. This year was no exception. I returned to one of my favourite sources of inspiration the Norwegian website, </span><a href="https://www.garnstudio.com/home.php?cid=19" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">GarnStudio</a><span style="text-align: left;"> and as usual, was not let down. I fell instantly in love with the below pot holders and once I had made one, just had to make a second. If you are a knitter, these are a breeze and will take you no time at all. If you are new to knitting these are not complicated and Garn Studio has several accompanying videos, with no sound, so suitable for all languages; you just may have to stop and pause the video a couple of times to rewatch a small section, they are clear and have helped me on the odd occasion. I find the Garn Studio patterns easy to follow and often if you have a query on a pattern they do respond fairly quickly. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HUxbernzIHNI2adSo-zONFAUy0dydPsG54rUUI2iY9JdhRQUXU4eCRQbS8uF8soX4R_V-juT9vGLCb-r4HAbn75JmgZQkpHOFInJ9xaTCpinXPGTtU8tPlxKSjDTIyF-ogz5IOlo9dT9/s2048/IMG_20200826_153258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HUxbernzIHNI2adSo-zONFAUy0dydPsG54rUUI2iY9JdhRQUXU4eCRQbS8uF8soX4R_V-juT9vGLCb-r4HAbn75JmgZQkpHOFInJ9xaTCpinXPGTtU8tPlxKSjDTIyF-ogz5IOlo9dT9/s320/IMG_20200826_153258.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of stranded knitting, note the orange <br />embroidery thread, marking the beginning of the <br />row as this is knitted in the round </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I love the name of this pattern, its called Oh Deer! To find this pattern, click on the link: <a href="https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=5917&cid=19" target="_blank">Oh Deer! pattern</a> The pattern called for Drops Muskat yarn but confess I did not have any, so used what I had to hand which was Drops Cotton Light, Dark red (17) and White (02) and think it worked well. The chart to follow on this pattern is repeated twice so that each side of the potholder will have the deer pattern on. Making the potholder on circular needles ensures that the potholder will do its job and protect your fingers as it has double the thickness. Finishing off at the end with making loop it attaches well to my oven and ready to use at every opportunity. Just hope I don't have too many 'oh deer' moments in the kitchen this advent!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdolwzaoyXcpEFpUApw6Eqq2vVRuzn7RFm8I_y0HbzrMtGuirBZ9qRU4iXkE7wyWLZ3xRKLtH8Ia94EKdf272QJBq64-wAth3kVVrqOnI2QqT9oOAmmPHqNZvHbSmCFAseLKbHhF6HrSAN/s2048/IMG_20200828_121222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdolwzaoyXcpEFpUApw6Eqq2vVRuzn7RFm8I_y0HbzrMtGuirBZ9qRU4iXkE7wyWLZ3xRKLtH8Ia94EKdf272QJBq64-wAth3kVVrqOnI2QqT9oOAmmPHqNZvHbSmCFAseLKbHhF6HrSAN/w400-h400/IMG_20200828_121222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the backdrop of a typical Norwegian shed<br /> painted in the usual barn red colour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbk7eAmzNjYFpDByvp9-O_1piMM4v1_Bu99_hspaVB3aVNizBkkv_GLZA-Ew92-TWy3hqvhkdIzNSdGZGOMDdAAHXXlaSofGkyyHzR8rFiklrsIrPo6hUlo0YIhg9PhHtIci8t3tS2K-e/s2048/IMG_20200828_121512.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbk7eAmzNjYFpDByvp9-O_1piMM4v1_Bu99_hspaVB3aVNizBkkv_GLZA-Ew92-TWy3hqvhkdIzNSdGZGOMDdAAHXXlaSofGkyyHzR8rFiklrsIrPo6hUlo0YIhg9PhHtIci8t3tS2K-e/w400-h400/IMG_20200828_121512.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst I had the potholders in Norway I also used <br />the backdrop of my grand father's hand-carved work</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Are you a knitter or a crocheter? </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">♥</span></div><br /> <p></p></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-89044523357588016402020-12-02T19:02:00.000+00:002020-12-03T03:57:49.123+00:00Farmer Biscuits<div style="text-align: left;">The Scandinavians bake or at least used to, from we think the 1800's onwards “syv slag”, meaning seven <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Bd5VNefNmaOq3bTAhgHu1ee_iYDiZYf7MjKINTuc-bukwToh6M-bX8bJPJtEufuY63yHvF8YCtMmH3YyIHKc-nxsGpaeACoj2eBo0-jzeuKzKk2MOFW33ctvcnyCx3GVVYTpNK467t7/s2048/1ED8529B-D01D-4C1D-9824-0FC6B1D85A46.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Bd5VNefNmaOq3bTAhgHu1ee_iYDiZYf7MjKINTuc-bukwToh6M-bX8bJPJtEufuY63yHvF8YCtMmH3YyIHKc-nxsGpaeACoj2eBo0-jzeuKzKk2MOFW33ctvcnyCx3GVVYTpNK467t7/w200-h200/1ED8529B-D01D-4C1D-9824-0FC6B1D85A46.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondekjeks ~ Farmer biscuits</td></tr></tbody></table><br />sorts of cookies for the Christmas period. We do not really know why seven or indeed exactly how it came about. One theory is to do with coffee houses that sprung up in the late 1700s and the cookies they offered to accompany the coffee. This then they believe filtered through to ladies visiting each other in their homes and being offered something alongside the coffee. A housewife was thought of as mean and stingy if she offered fewer than seven cookies and showing off if she offered more! You just cannot win, can you!</div><div style="text-align: left;">That said in today's world many no longer bake seven varieties, after all, who has the time? Although for me it has become a part of the lead up to Christmas and something I find comforting and warming to do and has become important to me so I will continue. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cookies I have chosen to showcase today has a very unpretentious name, that of Famer's Biscuit. It originated in Sweden and was apparently presented to the King of Sweden many many years ago as being one of the most unassuming sounding biscuits but one that surprisingly packs a real punch and hits all the right notes of a biscuit. It has almonds which add the all-important crunch to a good biscuit and golden syrup that adds a hint of caramel but allows the biscuit to also be a little chewy. A truly winning combination.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really urge you to give these a go, they are soooooo moorish. To ensure the best bake, the dough needs chilling for a minimum of an hour.</div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Bondekjeks ~ Farmer Biscuits ~ Vanilla almond cookies </b></span></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ You will need:</div><div style="text-align: left;">190g softened butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">150g sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1-2 tbsp golden syrup, depending on taste</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp almond extract </div><div style="text-align: left;">250g plain flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">150g chopped almonds (keep the chunks on the larger side)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ Mix together the butter and sugar until light.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Add the golden syrup, vanilla and almond extract. Stir thoroughly.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Add flour, baking soda and salt. This will form a crumbly dough but do not worry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ Roll the dough into small sausage-shaped logs, making the diameter the size of the desired cookies. I tend to roll mine out to somewhere between 4-6cm. With this mixture being a bit crumbly, I find if I roll the sausage log too long the middle becomes hollow. Therefore, I make about 6 small logs from this dough. See photograph.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YAv-E30GualaNLMQlkyOd3QatM2C_GkJ98oqKsd83S2Jy6rKDYBxtkf-F8Yie54w_EeRfHuJN7E8LBM1g0ZUBo7t96XoV9WtvEAcMUoZN4PhjRfpUiCSRCtTCIFlTUtOu_ynhbSkDOLh/s2048/00EFCED6-BFFF-44A6-AD77-CE493807F5EB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YAv-E30GualaNLMQlkyOd3QatM2C_GkJ98oqKsd83S2Jy6rKDYBxtkf-F8Yie54w_EeRfHuJN7E8LBM1g0ZUBo7t96XoV9WtvEAcMUoZN4PhjRfpUiCSRCtTCIFlTUtOu_ynhbSkDOLh/s320/00EFCED6-BFFF-44A6-AD77-CE493807F5EB.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six logs from the cookie dough, <br />notice that there are crumbs on the board <br />indicating this is a crumbly dough</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ Cover the dough logs in cling film or an airtight container and place in the fridge for an hour or preferably overnight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Take out the number of logs desired, this mixture will keep in an airtight container for about a week.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Slice the log in to about half centimetre slices and place on a lined baking sheet. If you have rolled the same number of logs as I have (6) then I can get about 6-7 slices from each log. The cookies will spread a little so leave enough room between cookies on the baking sheet. See photograph.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv7R5sJLt2ujR72Jcar2Tcc3Si2LbwRpBctIHVbAEKQgFtpIL8kjQOBSaRMG6uFjj1B405mHFoRWQEe_pIAMowKozp9-rpORvclphColR9640enjcrf9IhfzVuHxGlW6hCceacnm3kdb8/s2048/76A8FE9F-9465-4524-9F43-A75225E1C4C9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv7R5sJLt2ujR72Jcar2Tcc3Si2LbwRpBctIHVbAEKQgFtpIL8kjQOBSaRMG6uFjj1B405mHFoRWQEe_pIAMowKozp9-rpORvclphColR9640enjcrf9IhfzVuHxGlW6hCceacnm3kdb8/s320/76A8FE9F-9465-4524-9F43-A75225E1C4C9.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mark out how many biscuits <br />I can slice before I cut.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />❤️ Bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly coloured. Cool and eat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ These cookies will store for a few days if kept in an airtight container.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I like this recipe as I keep a few logs in the fridge and just slice them up and pop them in the oven if an<br />unexpected visitor arrives, lovely newly baked cookies made to order! Although here in the UK that is not likely to happen this December, but still who doesn’t like a freshly baked cookie? Perhaps this year we will have to just eat them ourselves or better still make a few local socially distanced deliveries to friends in the neighbourhood who we would otherwise have been spending an hour or two with over cookies and coffee.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU095dtVkgHFlON_cLrpCFGqmZN6RFfY63tyWrBXKH1wK4n65fdyoSqEjQ6kpWCkxMui7aUI_Zw3LTwFIJYsDTe37p6Ij9bzii2od7pS7diQLjqzXns2-xLx9hod0Xg7krdyeo7Pp7v6r/s2048/IMG_20201202_181653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU095dtVkgHFlON_cLrpCFGqmZN6RFfY63tyWrBXKH1wK4n65fdyoSqEjQ6kpWCkxMui7aUI_Zw3LTwFIJYsDTe37p6Ij9bzii2od7pS7diQLjqzXns2-xLx9hod0Xg7krdyeo7Pp7v6r/w400-h400/IMG_20201202_181653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake a few Bondekjeks (Farmer biscuits) you won't regret it</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ <b><span style="color: #274e13;">VARIATION:</span></b> I know many cannot eat nuts so a good variation of this is to omit the almond extract altogether and replace the chopped almonds for dried cranberries. This makes then for a very Christmas type taste along with the vanilla of these cookies. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">❤️ <b><span style="color: #274e13;">NOTE:</span></b> You could freeze the dough logs if you wanted to make them ahead, just remember to allow to defrost thoroughly beforehand and then ensure they are chilled before slicing and baking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So far we have baked two of the seven types of cookies for Christmas...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBZRwtTOqdykFcDETAYxWViyMbRovwgSfKHKopxtInZbR0Ha767xZH7zRorL_B7i3QMYvrXzzfFQsv56B505oyescMErsudp_lalhBgIoEUMpPNVHu1QhLWjPEnfz6Moo_lzNXqG-kvXh/s2048/IMG_20201202_131703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBZRwtTOqdykFcDETAYxWViyMbRovwgSfKHKopxtInZbR0Ha767xZH7zRorL_B7i3QMYvrXzzfFQsv56B505oyescMErsudp_lalhBgIoEUMpPNVHu1QhLWjPEnfz6Moo_lzNXqG-kvXh/s320/IMG_20201202_131703.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondekjeks to the left and pepperkake on the right</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span><span style="color: red;"> Will you be baking any cookies in December? </span><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></b></span></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-51185581432513902772020-12-02T01:15:00.000+00:002020-12-02T01:15:09.641+00:00Advent Calendars<div style="text-align: left;">Who doesn't love a good advent calendar? I seem to be a bit of an advent calendar fan having made my first homemade version at the age of 16. To be honest, I have lost count of the ones I have made ranging <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CqxNeZpkUu2AEILEaMLN_ZPCy_1re3yp0dViw8-VOpvhuBuVSuqPPG457rEtWwmWh91ZD-050ILUCOFomPH9AS7gOVJVHcntrCmq2fojUTI0VYQLEgOoYfDB3bb4QELhb3tm0OZdvIRs/s2048/IMG_20191130_170145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CqxNeZpkUu2AEILEaMLN_ZPCy_1re3yp0dViw8-VOpvhuBuVSuqPPG457rEtWwmWh91ZD-050ILUCOFomPH9AS7gOVJVHcntrCmq2fojUTI0VYQLEgOoYfDB3bb4QELhb3tm0OZdvIRs/s320/IMG_20191130_170145.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advent calendar with little notes <br />inside for small activities to do each day</td></tr></tbody></table><br />from several embroidery ones, a couple of sewn ones, to paper ones, a pegboard one, a mindfulness one and thoughts of the day one and even a Christmas joke one to last year one based around a wreath. But nothing has made me prouder than the advent calendar or should I say calendars as five were made, that my daughter decided to make for her friends. She said after the last few months she wanted to spread her love of Christmas and the Advent season with her nearest and dearest. Gosh, my heart <span style="color: red;">♥</span> swelled.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So a couple of weeks ago when Ella came to me to ask for a bit of help in her crafting I was delighted. Delighted because she instigated it and was not cajoled, coerced, threatened that she had to make something to give to family members, as this is a time for giving, but she chose to do it and to make for people that she did not really have to make for and because she wanted to spread happiness. That to me was Christmas joyful bliss. Perhaps the next generation of my family too will carve out their own Christmas traditions whilst holding onto the warmth and joy they found here in the eclectic home...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The dining room table was commandeered, Ella on one side beavering away, asking for the very occasional advice and me on the other side, gleefully playing with Fimo clay ( a post to come in a day or two) whilst on a zoom call with mamma in Norway and my sister in Sweden. We all raised a glass whilst chatting and crafting. We may be many miles away from each other but we do the best we can, as we all are trying to do.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKT4Jer6Tc5k8fF5ltLc8NAfGCvqlMpDa1p5EL2k-J35LCQvMlF14KG1QXidQUf-AMNFIvNVI_uLnznIRbpM3STGGuy9jPzu03QgbT9zs3UBQ6CP0h9tIJlLaDriGZGVnvP6nhQCFd_6B/s1080/Screenshot_20201201_221026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKT4Jer6Tc5k8fF5ltLc8NAfGCvqlMpDa1p5EL2k-J35LCQvMlF14KG1QXidQUf-AMNFIvNVI_uLnznIRbpM3STGGuy9jPzu03QgbT9zs3UBQ6CP0h9tIJlLaDriGZGVnvP6nhQCFd_6B/s320/Screenshot_20201201_221026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't technology both a blessing and a curse. Zoom calls, <br />FB and watts app video calls have kept us in touch <br />with those, we cannot physically be with, <br />more so than ever this year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think Ella thought that making a paper advent calendar would be a quick make but in reality with all the thought, gathering of materials, cutting, glueing working out the logistics of where to position and how to create the doors, it took her several days, whilst holding down a full-time job and being nagged by me to help around the house and cook the occasional family meal whilst also pulling her weight to walk our new puppy. The girl did well. Albeit, she surprised herself at the time it all took, but that's crafting for you isn't it and anything that you care about always takes time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB99G7SkckPE-tT48A1PGkFfRYqQzjzPDrmmBQ3WhHpTHvecbn4CFEG1G6iIW-FtF-gx_BFtctslXhajW-wPKTefmxVR47e1TfX-QnXiQmpO5aS9eEeh20tLASfLqRp_u4YDW11MYf1-Wi/s2048/IMG_20201124_195627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB99G7SkckPE-tT48A1PGkFfRYqQzjzPDrmmBQ3WhHpTHvecbn4CFEG1G6iIW-FtF-gx_BFtctslXhajW-wPKTefmxVR47e1TfX-QnXiQmpO5aS9eEeh20tLASfLqRp_u4YDW11MYf1-Wi/s320/IMG_20201124_195627.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, she cut out a template of 24 <br />windows for the advent calendar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1YXwNVG6ea_bys5vHsPbmcSQaSr9QwNSdNgVQkODxDJKenFojIGs3QwAcyqBLXUmivxjs0oddRZ6MH9oQclcstZddisKrj979-XChS9iRIWhJBDYxxMQTBDRuKAX2hI844nt8sR9R6nQ/s2048/IMG_20201124_195612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1YXwNVG6ea_bys5vHsPbmcSQaSr9QwNSdNgVQkODxDJKenFojIGs3QwAcyqBLXUmivxjs0oddRZ6MH9oQclcstZddisKrj979-XChS9iRIWhJBDYxxMQTBDRuKAX2hI844nt8sR9R6nQ/s320/IMG_20201124_195612.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, she wrote out the daily activities on a <br />separate card in corresponding boxes to the cutouts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim8CbXXGor-aKMa_JAnkswWY2RymuuXrB_PR_KBs77B434iCLhMSCvR9BWtEFRnLFJV6kx3MbjUnAKx-yKx0d9S6bmoYnT7OwGzofNhzhi6Vn2T1Zta0I3MFot8REwuA5Byyf-IkPgyA6/s2048/IMG_20201124_195638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim8CbXXGor-aKMa_JAnkswWY2RymuuXrB_PR_KBs77B434iCLhMSCvR9BWtEFRnLFJV6kx3MbjUnAKx-yKx0d9S6bmoYnT7OwGzofNhzhi6Vn2T1Zta0I3MFot8REwuA5Byyf-IkPgyA6/w400-h400/IMG_20201124_195638.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She created a Christmas montage from old magazines <br />and Christmas cards, stickers and anything else she fancied. And then <br />the tricky part was to cut out the doors to correspond to the writing <br />that would be revealed behind. We had a few hiccups along the way here. <br />Namely mirroring the windows so they did not correspond to the writing, <br />which then had to be redone on one of the calendars. Each calendar had different <br />activities depending who was to be the recipient.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJQ8ftXgvFwgJLAMYnDhLG5VKJRzvZWZD-wxNjFaVLwVRu3AiVeEB-RiGZDh8NokAx5Sl9dRR_23opXhRJbF87-lP1-ZpOp2S-nu2OGFZLB63M_x24KG3b57oPZdicdU1_Aay1fv8gs9a/s2048/IMG_20201129_140744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJQ8ftXgvFwgJLAMYnDhLG5VKJRzvZWZD-wxNjFaVLwVRu3AiVeEB-RiGZDh8NokAx5Sl9dRR_23opXhRJbF87-lP1-ZpOp2S-nu2OGFZLB63M_x24KG3b57oPZdicdU1_Aay1fv8gs9a/s320/IMG_20201129_140744.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna receiving her Advent calendar <br />socially distanced and outdoors of course</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZM1mNQLrD3Qoq0bxUEiT5RYkuBrlmddBPBvlNUUwxGpzahWKzrEY1OtMPHUQfJo7ugXrM6n8AjfJXYuuur4aC1tRhShpsW7ScWCetePv4ykQEFTdtK8ztNyuS4nUIWbwWjyBLl1mVL8AY/s2048/IMG_20201129_140806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZM1mNQLrD3Qoq0bxUEiT5RYkuBrlmddBPBvlNUUwxGpzahWKzrEY1OtMPHUQfJo7ugXrM6n8AjfJXYuuur4aC1tRhShpsW7ScWCetePv4ykQEFTdtK8ztNyuS4nUIWbwWjyBLl1mVL8AY/s320/IMG_20201129_140806.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna had no idea and it was a surprise <br />to receive an Advent calendar from Ella</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi4KnyGduKUxGMqyVZohbkrpqsbZrvfq8QEWUul6GC21iHijpCxYqvphxAWKAkqApDA-kz7V6W2XXS83_P3Cz20WoMb6444fSpBSAd-1gj0xM7cWZKWaiAKDYG5iMTrZpmMc9TRaNSE4B/s584/anna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi4KnyGduKUxGMqyVZohbkrpqsbZrvfq8QEWUul6GC21iHijpCxYqvphxAWKAkqApDA-kz7V6W2XXS83_P3Cz20WoMb6444fSpBSAd-1gj0xM7cWZKWaiAKDYG5iMTrZpmMc9TRaNSE4B/s320/anna.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna at home on December 1st, having opened the first door.<br />A note from her mum reads: <i>A very kind and thoughtful <br />young lady has made Anna an activity advent <br />calendar. First task is to decorate her bedroom 🌲xx</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span> <span style="color: red;"><b>As an adult do you have an advent calendar or is it just for youngsters do you think?</b></span> <span style="color: #38761d;">♥</span></span></div><br /><div><br /></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-2083101315479090102020-12-01T03:30:00.001+00:002020-12-01T03:30:31.108+00:00And so it begins...Advent<div style="text-align: left;">It's my favourite season of the year ~ <b><span style="color: red;">WELCOME</span></b> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>to you all</b></span>. Thank you for old friends revisiting and if you are new, so glad to have you onboard, pull up a chair, grab yourself a drink, tea or coffee or if the hour permits, perhaps something a little stronger, I have a penchant for a glass of Argentinian Malbec these days, although a cocktail or two never goes amiss! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikjeQ8ad-oXlV2FeLJcRHEoeKpCHI7y-Dd7077fAxKDy47Prvi-sgtK5lLtlMOuHjIeUd4A5sw2h3XGCI5jntrga-gq-PtB3vSNCUajdCOFeNUEvyh-tBt7FNdeRruZ3G37FcwLIBYPXB/s640/Image-1+%252834%2529.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikjeQ8ad-oXlV2FeLJcRHEoeKpCHI7y-Dd7077fAxKDy47Prvi-sgtK5lLtlMOuHjIeUd4A5sw2h3XGCI5jntrga-gq-PtB3vSNCUajdCOFeNUEvyh-tBt7FNdeRruZ3G37FcwLIBYPXB/s320/Image-1+%252834%2529.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every year I bake seven different <br />cookie varieties in the lead up to <br />Christmas, here you see <br />6 from a previous year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here over the coming days, I will share with you the happenings of our eclectic home, a fusion of Scandinavian baking and crafts with anything else from anywhere else, all with the theme of home-crafted, home loved Christmas wonderfulness. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, this time of year conjures up anticipation, excitement, wonderful smells and coming together to make things both edible and for decoration and gifts. I was lucky and I fully acknowledge that in my home growing up, there was such a joyful emphasis on Christmas that it has not only seeped but has become a full-blown on love for me with the season of Advent. Not everyone is as lucky or as fortunate; having a Scandinavian mother certainly helped me in this instance but I hope those of you not as over the top as myself can take a sense of joy that this blog may give you sparks of ideas to try or to allow the joy of this time of year to seep in and not despair at what many feel is now a commercial time of year. This year more than ever, the pandemic that shall not be named has made this an unusual era to live in and what now looks to be an unusual Christmas too. So more than ever I want to submerge myself in cinnamon and cardamon smells, craft paper and anything else that I can create to make the house a Christmas home. Come along for the ride, follow me each day or dip in and out as you please. You are more than welcome here at the eclectic home, if only I could open my actual doors to you all, these virtual ones will have to do...</div><p>Which leads me onto my first bake for Advent and Christmas. It is traditional in Norway to bake a variety of cookies to enjoy with the family and to have ready for both expected and unexpected visitors alike. We may not have many visitors this season but it is not stopping us from baking. Norwegians always baked seven different varieties and many families have their 'set' must bake cookies. We tend here to mix it up a bit each year and try new ones to us but always, always a Scandinavian variety. One cookie that we make however every year without fail and would not be Christmas for us without it is the infamous pepperkake.</p><p>What is a Norwegian Christmas without pepperkake? It’s the Norwegians answer to ginger cookies, but with a more mellow subtle flavour. Some Norwegian recipes pack a punch with their spices but we in our family have a much gentler warming spice coming through.</p><p>I share with you again, the very same recipe that I have shared every single year. If you’ve still not made it then I urge you to give it a go and bring some ‘kos’ * to your home this Christmas.</p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNFYzPWtbz0ofMYm1lHfOzL9Vj-Gkc7ZvwRPW2vRydLxtETfTKB_wO28nDSyBJsLYw5w-Hui30Gm9JNUjpsV5wvdoJt36CrkjbRLx9YoEoGZxBKG2YZhxiY_v7OAXvyOfk4RixSsqwJGn/s1600/pepper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNFYzPWtbz0ofMYm1lHfOzL9Vj-Gkc7ZvwRPW2vRydLxtETfTKB_wO28nDSyBJsLYw5w-Hui30Gm9JNUjpsV5wvdoJt36CrkjbRLx9YoEoGZxBKG2YZhxiY_v7OAXvyOfk4RixSsqwJGn/s1600/pepper.jpg" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Method:</b><br /><b><br /></b><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Melt on a low heat, the syrup, sugar and butter.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Allow to cool ever so slightly and then beat in the egg thoroughly.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Sift in the flour, baking powder and spice and mix well.<br /><br />At this stage the dough is quite gloopy, I tend to leave it in the pan and then place it in the fridge overnight, but you can transfer to a smaller bowl if you so wished. This year I allowed it to cool in the pan for an hour or so and once it began to be semi-hard, I removed the mixture from the pan and rolled it into two fat sausage shapes, wrapping each separately in cling film and then placed into the fridge overnight. This allowed me to slice off the next day exactly the right amount to roll out small batches at a time. <b> <span style="color: red;">TIP</span></b>: this dough softens very quickly, so only roll out and use a small amount at a time.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">♥</span> The next day take out only a small amount of dough (see note 3) and roll out on a floured surface to about 3-4 mm thick and cut out shapes placing cookies on a greaseproof lined baking tray. this is important.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Bake on 175 degrees for approximately 10 minutes, or as in my fast oven less, until just golden brown.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">♥</span> Cool on a wire rack before either icing or placing in an airtight container. These will last for 2-3 weeks<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUGa5BBw2ekf1poHaXxC0kiaxHAQFOlmYqipjtej2P07n-mba_Ha72h_o9-RWoAEeceY-tei54gjq1DcHFgVXWsg2x8OVpmlLrBwZlD8wNenzedN2Impbxvm2Nm1S9ZrqEGrXpkemZmPx/s2613/IMG_20201127_101312.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2613" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUGa5BBw2ekf1poHaXxC0kiaxHAQFOlmYqipjtej2P07n-mba_Ha72h_o9-RWoAEeceY-tei54gjq1DcHFgVXWsg2x8OVpmlLrBwZlD8wNenzedN2Impbxvm2Nm1S9ZrqEGrXpkemZmPx/w400-h184/IMG_20201127_101312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love heart shaped pepperkake the best. <br />But any shape works well <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This year as well as making the pepperkake cookies I also made house sides out of pepperkake for my advent candle display. Some old followers may remember I did something similar with disastrous consequences see <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/8348050486280502480/5707677374267575194">here, (scroll to the end)</a> for what happened. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year I feel more confident that all will survive and so Sunday just past, we lit our first advent candle. We are most definitely on count down to Christmas Day. Although if I am honest, it is these December days and nights that I savour the most. Being in the kitchen, the hub of the home, baking and creating with family all around. This year will be different from others as we will not be able to see all our loved ones. But we have promised ourselves that once we are through this pandemic we will come together if not to have another Christmas Day, but to at least have a family celebration of just being able to hug each other and be close. Bring on that day. In the meantime, I’m making the most of what and who I am allowed to be with and my heart swells. I know I am one of the lucky ones. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYu9vtujftDEeakSLqHmA1PGGnk8rtsmQIzqVV-qvEdE9mMZseV8mKM0QfkJSubrwseMf52dlKwjVaDKOImoKg-oE2phWKr2mXGyXXsGEG6Pw3hH55PwAmZPGYYRCvxu7i5REVGhZyTC8/s2613/18A75C4F-963F-477E-9706-ED091C9F5BB9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2613" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYu9vtujftDEeakSLqHmA1PGGnk8rtsmQIzqVV-qvEdE9mMZseV8mKM0QfkJSubrwseMf52dlKwjVaDKOImoKg-oE2phWKr2mXGyXXsGEG6Pw3hH55PwAmZPGYYRCvxu7i5REVGhZyTC8/w400-h184/18A75C4F-963F-477E-9706-ED091C9F5BB9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I drew out four different height and width house sides</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92-um6B9-Aw30ncUP8pVuarSm4lzQEkBXpG_2n-3cK-Ew4lrpFJ2layKbRkjjXYL5vyaUyzjt_NHAfLriVqpNaberBlx9HKF7PFleKtMnowrDa9y47Ch1b9qHcl7SDt2zhsglgmG7lyF8/s2613/42BEC029-3AE3-4CC4-BE8D-A5D484E549A4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92-um6B9-Aw30ncUP8pVuarSm4lzQEkBXpG_2n-3cK-Ew4lrpFJ2layKbRkjjXYL5vyaUyzjt_NHAfLriVqpNaberBlx9HKF7PFleKtMnowrDa9y47Ch1b9qHcl7SDt2zhsglgmG7lyF8/w184-h400/42BEC029-3AE3-4CC4-BE8D-A5D484E549A4.jpeg" width="184" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolled out the pepperkake <br />dough onto the drawn templates</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv9rDDmM1T3LkT_IXockbqNE5oqJ7STFQ5EnIPSNBstush_qvYixPlC17CiOW1Iejqskx8I3piodFTH8Vf-D6pNVwLWHBIlWLX3To8-MJvINLnPnSF_TtFpKwZkmqel2oroFjRVe_cyPH/s2613/9E08B601-E777-4E0D-83E0-518B2F980876.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv9rDDmM1T3LkT_IXockbqNE5oqJ7STFQ5EnIPSNBstush_qvYixPlC17CiOW1Iejqskx8I3piodFTH8Vf-D6pNVwLWHBIlWLX3To8-MJvINLnPnSF_TtFpKwZkmqel2oroFjRVe_cyPH/w184-h400/9E08B601-E777-4E0D-83E0-518B2F980876.jpeg" width="184" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake for longer than the cookies bake until crisp so they <br />do not soften over the coming days</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>To make the icing so it is thick and has a shine to it. I don’t measure out but I add in a good amount of icing sugar, one egg white and if need be top up with a few drops of water to form a thick paste. I use a piping bag and nozzle normally but could not locate it sure we have someone who comes in and moves things around as I seem to not be finding many many things these days. So I used a plastic food bag, added in the icing to that and then snipped off a teeny tiny corner of the bag and was able to pipe that way. It would explain why my piping is a tad thicker than I would have liked but it still gave an ok effect. It’s not as if we’re entertaining this year, is it?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPvgorfG6dzoqI-7MX0TfvDzRsR9WSwM3u6HMcgL_GQyLDwaYlccEu9b5BbquVM8s61VpS-7nDKXYjzDuXnMGCQ-t0WQVfUjd0E1ZBjdIXNz4hsadbkQlHCjmI1dl0ObL3sTealohgmz0/s2613/DC431935-2B63-4414-A29C-3D9302B21415.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPvgorfG6dzoqI-7MX0TfvDzRsR9WSwM3u6HMcgL_GQyLDwaYlccEu9b5BbquVM8s61VpS-7nDKXYjzDuXnMGCQ-t0WQVfUjd0E1ZBjdIXNz4hsadbkQlHCjmI1dl0ObL3sTealohgmz0/w184-h400/DC431935-2B63-4414-A29C-3D9302B21415.jpeg" width="184" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iced and ready to go, each house was numbered 1-4 <br />to match the number of Sundays in Advent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJJKr4xV4ypnf5wunaBB14F46keV5__jAU-aZ0nHTJshKo1FDJdZ_Up1UwBOtdZvogWbY8cjoJ3BP_84wx2hPVnq3xI2421Xsln5CILwmuGCIYCHUNJ6gOlZ5tXCWnhcgUnEqP5myOiWf/s2613/75A1A157-049D-449F-A561-016C67C7F3A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2613" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJJKr4xV4ypnf5wunaBB14F46keV5__jAU-aZ0nHTJshKo1FDJdZ_Up1UwBOtdZvogWbY8cjoJ3BP_84wx2hPVnq3xI2421Xsln5CILwmuGCIYCHUNJ6gOlZ5tXCWnhcgUnEqP5myOiWf/w400-h184/75A1A157-049D-449F-A561-016C67C7F3A9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepperkake house fronts for Advent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmBHz-Fvrk9Ugrd8_PJZu46wA0_w4L-Zlr1Fc9Pdb6xy93iGsYrSK97EZaAPt3dFu2gGDO_5MsMCGyKJe24-17CdUKh_bi_pu6pUSapasiHb4BZpj2AaULdE7iumyIUU2kPKtRW2t7UWg/s2048/E5AA9F54-57B7-404F-9BF8-4BAEA284F69E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmBHz-Fvrk9Ugrd8_PJZu46wA0_w4L-Zlr1Fc9Pdb6xy93iGsYrSK97EZaAPt3dFu2gGDO_5MsMCGyKJe24-17CdUKh_bi_pu6pUSapasiHb4BZpj2AaULdE7iumyIUU2kPKtRW2t7UWg/w400-h400/E5AA9F54-57B7-404F-9BF8-4BAEA284F69E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Advent candle was lit on Sunday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Wishing you all a warm and joyful Advent </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♥</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*kos ~ Norwegian form of hygge, we have hygge in Norway too but generally use the word kos and koselig, to mean warmth, comfort, cosy, loving, cuddling up type feel. all the things that help us get through dark winter days. It's a time to look forward to for all of these things not a time to despair.</div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-61004544258101088772020-10-29T17:05:00.000+00:002020-10-29T17:05:24.645+00:00Sneak Peak to Christmas 2020 Countdown<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrk_rWrUryAC_yS8kj3-irhmqmrbXICLrMNfXkIsJbX67mQUpIbnC1lVak1g70bZ-34sBYDrtWtC7OouFOg5fNU3t8Pf22_h7Ome0iqHTltCE1bveFzpXIpG9xdcGIo9oJJfNVoGCg4TD/s305/holly+drawing.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="297" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrk_rWrUryAC_yS8kj3-irhmqmrbXICLrMNfXkIsJbX67mQUpIbnC1lVak1g70bZ-34sBYDrtWtC7OouFOg5fNU3t8Pf22_h7Ome0iqHTltCE1bveFzpXIpG9xdcGIo9oJJfNVoGCg4TD/w195-h200/holly+drawing.JPG" width="195" /></a></div>I am planning my December posts and trying to get myself a little more organised than usual as always the rush leading up to Christmas can be hectic enough. I am so hoping that you will join me on the Christmas countdown and perhaps let friends and family who may also be interested have the link to this blog. More the merrier I say. <p></p><p><br />And to that effect, I thought I would show you a sneak peak of some of the things I will be sharing with you in December. This is not everything of course. For instance the seven biscuits of Christmas will not be made until December begins for example. But below is just a flavour of some of my Christmas joy.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I look forward to welcoming you along...</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>There will be yarny things to make...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhLVGfLmLaSd8zeRfcrQmM8PkUF78GZYLGDcSWuqtH7YcFIMI5c1ZtBZTE3u-mgHNExStvwwp_5wZ0jeKzo5L-KuN-2FtPjVYp0tOBRXtuoY-Q2JG4kO8bLVczHIqTGK_N_ZH4jQPC3Z2/s2048/IMG_20200827_132020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhLVGfLmLaSd8zeRfcrQmM8PkUF78GZYLGDcSWuqtH7YcFIMI5c1ZtBZTE3u-mgHNExStvwwp_5wZ0jeKzo5L-KuN-2FtPjVYp0tOBRXtuoY-Q2JG4kO8bLVczHIqTGK_N_ZH4jQPC3Z2/s320/IMG_20200827_132020.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H9_BATAPbWbWsSV8ICY09WzioBXe-hkMciN64wicAOYQZZD6WIhGcsbgSBuZNgLrfmYitx5MIVM0Fj1WC_r2kLY_PxJs_5xJHAYsoYEoIPwsfwV8gCVbfQ5GqJAj-jtNHzYh52D1Yo_7/s2048/IMG_20200905_170234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H9_BATAPbWbWsSV8ICY09WzioBXe-hkMciN64wicAOYQZZD6WIhGcsbgSBuZNgLrfmYitx5MIVM0Fj1WC_r2kLY_PxJs_5xJHAYsoYEoIPwsfwV8gCVbfQ5GqJAj-jtNHzYh52D1Yo_7/s320/IMG_20200905_170234.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Other types of craft for the non knitter or crocheter...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXTCLTIM4P8LrKgOG3hO8Vc7Ynxou1CBf8YDMlak4YOhUmnJuAT1Sjy15Cplw1uQszfgD56QMZh5U7vzejEjKXyVSVHf5b2geBZBNB33BVPW7Pr0Mk7gCY_q-Mw1GFehBPcvG-AYc74pJ/s2048/IMG_20190908_184036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXTCLTIM4P8LrKgOG3hO8Vc7Ynxou1CBf8YDMlak4YOhUmnJuAT1Sjy15Cplw1uQszfgD56QMZh5U7vzejEjKXyVSVHf5b2geBZBNB33BVPW7Pr0Mk7gCY_q-Mw1GFehBPcvG-AYc74pJ/s320/IMG_20190908_184036.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg69uiqBO4t2LwyHkfnv99aA2K3j_HkW-gFDE5KmR0bhprUDrFyuBeleaafepTI29vpD1tB8ITpZwAbZb2pUpXlyKNq5jH3-Ht6Wp7pHACu2PDEhOe_WNKQRiNQvT3ScxmVLyQapH2tsIN/s2048/IMG_20191125_204939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg69uiqBO4t2LwyHkfnv99aA2K3j_HkW-gFDE5KmR0bhprUDrFyuBeleaafepTI29vpD1tB8ITpZwAbZb2pUpXlyKNq5jH3-Ht6Wp7pHACu2PDEhOe_WNKQRiNQvT3ScxmVLyQapH2tsIN/s320/IMG_20191125_204939.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAFkFUqPjrXqb1nXLPxosHg8O9pdKosJ2wukX1l5ypoo-t9e0uXb4v4e2ZvDr15rOgDeJ8S58GdZq6ax9ctbNw8WkLId0lylozFRXnoAoaf-7-e54_ssSGkTe3msAx07moAKY_oQAoJKG/s2048/IMG_20201010_161637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAFkFUqPjrXqb1nXLPxosHg8O9pdKosJ2wukX1l5ypoo-t9e0uXb4v4e2ZvDr15rOgDeJ8S58GdZq6ax9ctbNw8WkLId0lylozFRXnoAoaf-7-e54_ssSGkTe3msAx07moAKY_oQAoJKG/s320/IMG_20201010_161637.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A few drinks ideas and recipes coming your way, all with the classic Nordic twist...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7qGrL0Yd2NroAmSWOK7I6n21O0_oDnG7IRRoWjxloqJoXy5v4arSDyuUIwZHmbu1Xf45fKJdIbx3Q95Dx4U1yvRVFsiSr3OcztlmaMRyOh2f8IZQ5F1x4CqhEI3I4-z1KTGGcTvY5qP/s2048/IMG_20200918_210210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7qGrL0Yd2NroAmSWOK7I6n21O0_oDnG7IRRoWjxloqJoXy5v4arSDyuUIwZHmbu1Xf45fKJdIbx3Q95Dx4U1yvRVFsiSr3OcztlmaMRyOh2f8IZQ5F1x4CqhEI3I4-z1KTGGcTvY5qP/s320/IMG_20200918_210210.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The inevitable baking with spices and often nuts, but don't worry for those with allergies There will be lots for you too...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsim2N9pIHIDGzq5Olx9q6EGGX1uD7KinKeL0QQixRGftUGeirKycJeY4MA2euS7DVDalaezkkR9_Lxu1oUbi6jxEZudfEoqQsfxEM4USr4dqYuzHeiYit3sx8InnN4wA9niTWfEs0ERIc/s1948/IMG_20191014_120158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="1680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsim2N9pIHIDGzq5Olx9q6EGGX1uD7KinKeL0QQixRGftUGeirKycJeY4MA2euS7DVDalaezkkR9_Lxu1oUbi6jxEZudfEoqQsfxEM4USr4dqYuzHeiYit3sx8InnN4wA9niTWfEs0ERIc/s320/IMG_20191014_120158.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoVqb7rvyNJTdDdlyHMv5vI_7Di2HD4ubhXwMcggB2sWX9bWSzHxnf5eBcTZb1be9a_F-qPTyfsHaLBV0Sd1dR3QqIlcbMR5JBAljEfERBGBbs-I2QnUOwHuGZ-7wC1g80lDTOveH_32g/s2048/IMG_20191119_102138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoVqb7rvyNJTdDdlyHMv5vI_7Di2HD4ubhXwMcggB2sWX9bWSzHxnf5eBcTZb1be9a_F-qPTyfsHaLBV0Sd1dR3QqIlcbMR5JBAljEfERBGBbs-I2QnUOwHuGZ-7wC1g80lDTOveH_32g/s320/IMG_20191119_102138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ideas for local independent purchasing...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsPA6JReUKN9DVtx8trRamQV5nNDQmp8fgg46c5qsQFIs5CaGSslk25FbNPPOf3a8ek7K6PcF7otY7CCdo8XGu0pQfzX5ffxcWXi2RN1XrncM18JQH1USjXQmk5KpUGOz3llrDTqczt_P/s2048/IMG_20201010_162134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsPA6JReUKN9DVtx8trRamQV5nNDQmp8fgg46c5qsQFIs5CaGSslk25FbNPPOf3a8ek7K6PcF7otY7CCdo8XGu0pQfzX5ffxcWXi2RN1XrncM18JQH1USjXQmk5KpUGOz3llrDTqczt_P/s320/IMG_20201010_162134.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>The odd quirky styling ideas...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wER72eqRAA7HfktY8GOkRqvtN5iS0f_R8UJ3QSr_w5fQQJVChjMIYRLiLzRdbdj-qMha5Om1-K5tJJmqkwqaKtDbWCLJYZlmUU-zboOhImho_9ecI2n_vdzD5BJCdFXDdjWjrZc4ztvo/s2048/IMG_20200323_144406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wER72eqRAA7HfktY8GOkRqvtN5iS0f_R8UJ3QSr_w5fQQJVChjMIYRLiLzRdbdj-qMha5Om1-K5tJJmqkwqaKtDbWCLJYZlmUU-zboOhImho_9ecI2n_vdzD5BJCdFXDdjWjrZc4ztvo/s320/IMG_20200323_144406.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course lots of Norwegian warmth and happiness to spread from me to you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9QfkJYvFAJS-zdTUL1s1pxGu2yP0NRQh22VoO0wQ5Y_zPHTDzVZLgl6HmCINVD9WQZHrTo3xa2cQ25T5qlAkltcWLTnQTBQ84D9CRhsCrdCwrV_EK9x4gGgX-iA4Tt6mojlzPT7KSS33/s2048/IMG_20191122_151927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9QfkJYvFAJS-zdTUL1s1pxGu2yP0NRQh22VoO0wQ5Y_zPHTDzVZLgl6HmCINVD9WQZHrTo3xa2cQ25T5qlAkltcWLTnQTBQ84D9CRhsCrdCwrV_EK9x4gGgX-iA4Tt6mojlzPT7KSS33/s320/IMG_20191122_151927.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12d6I_4rWD8wVyoDOhrgDDqzEdmgDI2voiKSTyrNzp3Iszws2mAS1nwwHkpgtuzXce9oGyQMdr17JWJHGvPUwTCfYVWMtuxaYBz2mRqN-YqDvnhDqQTjjrGCdmMMwZY6BoJQ3F9twEVhv/s2048/IMG_20191225_140051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12d6I_4rWD8wVyoDOhrgDDqzEdmgDI2voiKSTyrNzp3Iszws2mAS1nwwHkpgtuzXce9oGyQMdr17JWJHGvPUwTCfYVWMtuxaYBz2mRqN-YqDvnhDqQTjjrGCdmMMwZY6BoJQ3F9twEVhv/s320/IMG_20191225_140051.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElj1evuKPqt-LqhALXvyq2sKp7qGXmAekZKFPDT4_LmwOkilj7ButTWhBcUtDWucmdsOHo4RZ5EyovzUyue2IoW76Qw12UYMoNfAw8ggDWyx83G0San5TLMeiL8bRwV_yE1MZoCqSdkoA/s2048/IMG_20191202_201525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElj1evuKPqt-LqhALXvyq2sKp7qGXmAekZKFPDT4_LmwOkilj7ButTWhBcUtDWucmdsOHo4RZ5EyovzUyue2IoW76Qw12UYMoNfAw8ggDWyx83G0San5TLMeiL8bRwV_yE1MZoCqSdkoA/w400-h400/IMG_20191202_201525.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw3cbkfOHIZs5wxOKhkMZUf1pY4W5ERhRgEKdVlEYZ9H8-SxDoIL0Svp3lRN1amv9WuUB2MRw_Bahx2OXgGJhvyjKzbR0QCvvBdbz52HgMqZ8sRD0wAAAOToMGK8oMylNuiGTMAmc1Eb-/s1806/IMG-0023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="1547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw3cbkfOHIZs5wxOKhkMZUf1pY4W5ERhRgEKdVlEYZ9H8-SxDoIL0Svp3lRN1amv9WuUB2MRw_Bahx2OXgGJhvyjKzbR0QCvvBdbz52HgMqZ8sRD0wAAAOToMGK8oMylNuiGTMAmc1Eb-/w343-h400/IMG-0023.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-55334652068635263412020-03-09T07:53:00.001+00:002020-03-09T07:53:03.883+00:00A Scandinavian Carnival<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Fastelaven ~ A Scandinavian Carnival</span></b><br />
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A bit late to the party but I finally made my fastelavaen ris. <i>What is THAT?</i> I hear you ask, well let <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fastelaven ris</td></tr>
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me explain.<br />
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All across the world in many different countries, one comes across carnival and all its frivolity and jolliness, I have encountered such wonderful parades across the world through our sailing adventures, some quite scary in feel and others just full of joy. In Scandinavia, in northern Europe, there is much more restraint, although it was not always such.<br />
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Rumour has it that in days gone by in Denmark that a black cat was placed in a barrel and then the barrel was flogged by fastelaven ris until it broke and the poor black cat scarpered away. Thus it felt taking any bad luck away from the village or town. Luckily, that tradition is long gone, if ever it really existed and was to be replaced by children waking their parents up early morning on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday with their homemade fastelaven ris. This too is now a tradition that most cannot remember happening to be replaced by my mother's generation buying and putting fastelaven ris in a vase on their dining room table.<br />
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I recall growing up not really understanding the tradition behind having fastenlaven ris on our table but loving it nonetheless. Mamma bringing in twigs and branches from outside and then fastening colourful feathers on the bare branches filled me with happiness at the joy of the colour in this otherwise colourless time of year. Gradually over the coming days and weeks, the twigs themselves came to life with their own buds forming and leaves emerging, a sure sign that outside spring would be following soon behind and we return to a season full of hope.<br />
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Lent may have already begun but it is not too late to go outside grab yourselves some twigs and branches and place them in a vase of water and watch as the leaves begin to emerge, I love doing this and have done every year I've had my own home. Some years, as this year, I have needed more colour in my life and have added the colourful feathers and have true fastelaven ris in my home too.<br />
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Easy to make, grab yourself some colourful feathers from your local hobby store, use some thin wire and fasten them to your twigs. Fun for both adults and children alike and adds just that bit of quirky colourful fun, now to watch the leaves grow...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnNbu69QciyDIdBoDK9yzneZh7oDP1MRBalqqjbH2o3hmOs-A6HLZ0BWK6zwtvBKvfCSSUP46T327h3cGQn7ACVKc_FIRkWRqCQOzyV__RkGskQRTBnVtEnezOqDtO-yG7-GqXit-VfMx/s1600/IMG_20200308_100837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnNbu69QciyDIdBoDK9yzneZh7oDP1MRBalqqjbH2o3hmOs-A6HLZ0BWK6zwtvBKvfCSSUP46T327h3cGQn7ACVKc_FIRkWRqCQOzyV__RkGskQRTBnVtEnezOqDtO-yG7-GqXit-VfMx/s400/IMG_20200308_100837.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twigs and branches from the garden and <br />store-bought coloured feathers and thin wire is all you need</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN21YNEIHNZQWFO2fKnqtWIl0bN1Nz9kHBHruC8Ap8ImTGQqjz6bb0N457oJ7w1-r9O8OL9cEJXNjF85olPZbLPC7V60Dq4F1kNoYPNH0tekauSSIC9_701rrt0gy2q4r8_usNiahASYi7/s1600/IMG_20200308_101223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN21YNEIHNZQWFO2fKnqtWIl0bN1Nz9kHBHruC8Ap8ImTGQqjz6bb0N457oJ7w1-r9O8OL9cEJXNjF85olPZbLPC7V60Dq4F1kNoYPNH0tekauSSIC9_701rrt0gy2q4r8_usNiahASYi7/s400/IMG_20200308_101223.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attach the feather anywhere on the branch, <br />can be near the end of even in the middle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0sfFC2_Lj4fE2rHuR2SwW_kdG071TVp9Dl_au_HUlLETchkRbU7psR2mUuYHKBrL_oqaPD4YuEn4jrwQO0e14rbFRrxaND9EaW3D2-FpyQEeuLWFZZ8KOyMGj3inNeeBZF_Kgw77VJrN/s1600/IMG_20200308_101235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0sfFC2_Lj4fE2rHuR2SwW_kdG071TVp9Dl_au_HUlLETchkRbU7psR2mUuYHKBrL_oqaPD4YuEn4jrwQO0e14rbFRrxaND9EaW3D2-FpyQEeuLWFZZ8KOyMGj3inNeeBZF_Kgw77VJrN/s400/IMG_20200308_101235.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather added ion the middle section of the twig</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7mFNRIyx8a79RGNidEKbMRVxc9LfYas0pEgquAhZRSjiW5jC0HvjPg9S_qHp4JJfe_Vr3fuBNQbIDG_Hn93Bxud8urSC3NM_ISjQICaVYVR02Qxs8htNdHwEO5kKin-Qel_elLgXlrmL/s1600/IMG_20200308_103045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7mFNRIyx8a79RGNidEKbMRVxc9LfYas0pEgquAhZRSjiW5jC0HvjPg9S_qHp4JJfe_Vr3fuBNQbIDG_Hn93Bxud8urSC3NM_ISjQICaVYVR02Qxs8htNdHwEO5kKin-Qel_elLgXlrmL/s640/IMG_20200308_103045.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fastelaven ris adds an extra splash of colour at this time of year onto the home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRPV1ihlfOd1tPXJ9KYr1Y2_X0jatQrUdZ335QkgVlnI0R5-g2p4m9L0WiJvkj2jytlLN_erASwOFFM3Xr-jZR-l-vhknjjF4DHXtCs3TmVXSb36BS7EtQ6_bKSUVaJCmPsIfnEK3mlHJ/s1600/IMG_20200308_103242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRPV1ihlfOd1tPXJ9KYr1Y2_X0jatQrUdZ335QkgVlnI0R5-g2p4m9L0WiJvkj2jytlLN_erASwOFFM3Xr-jZR-l-vhknjjF4DHXtCs3TmVXSb36BS7EtQ6_bKSUVaJCmPsIfnEK3mlHJ/s640/IMG_20200308_103242.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fastelaven ris</td></tr>
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<br />eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348050486280502480.post-8101165773330453632019-12-22T08:09:00.001+00:002019-12-22T08:09:03.464+00:00Christmas 2019December 22nd<div><br></div><div>From my home to yours wishing you a very Merry Christmas. </div><div><br></div><div>I'll try to post again tonight or tomorrow </div><div><br></div><div>🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄</div>eclectichomelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131534550143277161noreply@blogger.com6