They say that there is snow on the way again. Will it look like this in my back garden again?
I hope so.
Will the scarlet berries be weighed down by the weight of the flakes?
I hope so.
Will Tommy from the stables next door be able to walk in the road again?
I hope so.
So what does one do when there is a storm on the way and Christmas round the corner and everything is getting a little bit too exciting?
One bakes something Christmassy.
Yesterday was one of those ‘afternoons before Christmas’ afternoons. We were all in the kitchen with the radio on and the oven pumping out the smell of freshly baked pastry.
The babies were shown their first ever Mince Pies but were not allowed to taste one. No matter how much they grabbed and hollered. Soon angels, perhaps even next Christmas.
They like to have something to look at and something that makes them feel like they are involved with grown-up things. Ned is with Grandma (Robert the Husband’s mum). Grandma moved all the way down from Shropshire to be with us and now lives very nearby. We’re so lucky to have the family close. It means that all of the kids are growing up with a huge extended group of people around them and that is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a teenager. I’m thirty five now and it’s only just happening. Some things you have to wait for I guess.
Anyway, back to the baking.
It is now very close to Christmas and most of us will have many things coursing through our minds at this time. What we have done, what we haven’t done, what we’d like to do and what we’ll get done realistically.
I did not make mincemeat for mince pies this year. Nope. I made stockings for my children instead and a great many roast dinners for friends. I had to choose what it was I wanted to spend my time doing and try to fit it all in.
But the predicament I found myself in was that I still wanted to have freshly baked mince pies in the house.
So I did what every person would do when they feel like Christmas is creeping up on them like a tidal wave of jobs…..I cheated. But, BUT, I also added a wee touch that made me happy to think that although all of the ingreeds were shop bought there was still something of the ‘homemade’ about them.
This is what I did……
- I bought two blocks of Dessert Pastry and rolled it out in my kitchen on a December afternoon
- Then I cut out circular shapes and popped them in to a greased cake tin as the radio played Christmas tunes
- I placed a teaspoon of the best shop mincemeat I could find in to each pastry case and hummed along to the music
- Then I rolled out another piece of pastry and as my children yelped at all the activity I cut out star shapes that would serve as the tops of the pies
- I noticed that my star shapes were a little smaller than the tops of the pies which made me happy as then the mincemeat would show through and look very ‘country’
- I placed the tops of the pies on a SEPARATE baking sheet and placed both the tops and the filled pie cases in an pre-heated oven at 200c
- I chatted with my mother in law and sister about Christmas, played with babies and cleared up as the pies and pie tops cooked
- After about fifteen minutes I took the pies and the pie tops out of the oven and allowed them to cool completely
- In my food mixer I placed 100g of unsalted butter, 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 300g of icing sugar
- I whisked it up until it was light and fluffy and then I placed it in to a piping bag with a huge nozzle
- As the afternoon sky got darker and darker and the babies played on their brand new mat I piped a huge squirt of butter cream on to the top of the mincemeat
- Then I placed a star shaped pastry lid on top of the buttercream
- And then we ate most of them
Of course I saved some of the mince pies for when Robert came in and sent what were left home with Grandma and Jodie.
I got a text from my dad later on in the evening saying that they were the best mince pies he had ever had. This worried me slightly as everything apart from the butter-cream was shop bought (!!!!!!!!)
Hmmmm, next year I may just have to have a go at fitting in some mincemeat making as I’m not being beaten by a shop!
Am I Ned?
No, Mummy.
That’s right son. You carry on being this agreeable and we’ll get along just fine.
I love you and thank you for reading. Have a great Thursday. It’s one of favourite my days of the week.
Cherry x
Also…
Don’t forget to check today’s Christmas tips – just click on the links below.
Now’s The Time to Check all Cutlery, Crockery & Glasswear
Re-Stocking Herbs & Spices For Christmas
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The pictures of your twins with their grandmother are priceless. This is what family is all about, the bond of love between generations. To hold the children of your child! It’s pure love!
As far as “cheating”, I think it is far more important to spend time with family and create memories. Your children will not remember (or care) whether your mincemeat pies were homemade or not. They will remember playing in the snow, being held by their grandmother and all the special Christmas memories you and Robert create for them.
When he gets older, you’ll have to tell Ned about his international fan club (of female readers) that’s formed in blog land. I’m a member, too!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Wow! Ned looks so grown up now. The babies are so gorgeous. My twins are exactly a month younger than yours so I know how busy you are. Will have a go at making those mince pies though, they do look delicious!
Those liquid eyes , those perfect lips, who am I talking about? Why NED of course. I love him.
Ned is getting more gorgeous by the day….I would quite like to be joining in your festive preparations but next year my house will be restored and I too will be doing ti all! But perhaps I’ll need your help with the sewing side of things.
Festive greetings
Gemma x
What lovely photos of you, your children and your mother in law in that warm kitchen smelling of gorgeous mince pies. Made the way I would make them I have to say. The easy way. Anais definately does find the lense doesn’t she? Is this a sign of things to come?
I am so glad that your hubby’s mum can be nearby and share the joys of the family. Those pies look delish! You are really amazing and I love reading your blogs. My grands are farther away. I do send amazing little packages and see many of them only twice a year. Two are nearer and I am able to see them more often. Christmas Joy!
So what if the pastry and the mince meat is store bought – they still look divine!
(as do those gorgeous little babies of yours.)
The photo of Ned being held by his Grandmother actually made me tear up! It is such a lovely picture. I love her hands with her gold band holding little Ned. The smile on her face says it all.
I have never tasted a Mince pie. Now my curiosity has skyrocketed!
I’ve just learned today a friend in the UK is having twins. You Brits have all the fun!
Hi Cherry, I have been following your blog for a while now and I love your photo’s and your way of writing, it is such a delight to visit your site and see what you have going on. Thank you for sharing so much with us.
Best regards
Wendy
The snow is so pretty, especially at this time of year. Here’s hoping for a white Christmas – now wouldn’t that be nice
Aren’t you lucky to be able to take photos of Tommy from “the stables next door.” That sounds so country. Lucky girl. Ned has the cutest and most perfect little face I just want to kiss it. Oh yes and eat all those mince pies while I’m at it.
Mmmmm, I love mince pies and they look yummy. I Love the way you used buttercream icing too, will definitely be giving that a try.
Have a great Christmas Cherry.
Pat x
I just adore Ned’s quizzical look !! He will turn out one cool dude, I get the impression stress won’t play too big a part in his life!
Moments like that, family all around are what makes life so special. I moved back up North to be with my family three years ago and its the best thing I ever did. There is NOTHING like coming home …………
Hi Cherry,
Just loved this post, I am trying to be Superwoman this year by making everything, nearly done but feel so stressed and not what Christmas should be about! I did make my own mincemeat, very easy to do but now I can’t get rid of the stuff! I have 10 jars left, needless to say next year I will not be making my own mincemeat, i will probably have some leftover anyway! BTW I am almost done on my Christmas stockings, it is the first time I have picked up needle and thread and so far so good, thanks for the inspiration.
Merry Christmas! x