Reindeer Poo 4 Sale in Berry

I love the enthusiasm and creativity of the Country kids in Berry NSW selling Reindeer Poo and Magic Reindeer Food. Its so divine. I'm guessing you can leave the Reindeer Poo by the plate of Food you have left outside for Santa such as the carrots, Ginger Bread Biscuits & milk. When the kids get up in the morning to check if Santa has been they will see the Reindeer Poo. RRP Only $2.00

The Magic Reindeer Food comes with instructions to leave on the lawn under the moon so it will sparkle and guide Santa to your home.

Merry Christmas Eve

Rudolph the Reindeer

I was lucky to be out Christmas shopping with my Mum Yvonne, when we came across these wonderful Reindeers. It made me stop and appreciate the special joys that makes traditions even more special. Shopping malls are crazy places & you can sense the stress & the madness of people being rude & pushy, so this makes this little creature a pure delight.

The spirit of Christmas is really here and it feels like it should be cold and snowing. Be kind and take the time to be festive.

Don't forget to leave out the cookies and milk on Christmas eve. Oh & maybe a Beer for Santa xx

Chritmas Craft

These adorable doves came from IKEA, I tweaked them by gluing them with a hot glue gun onto a taupe ribbon and simply tied a bow on the end. There so sweet.

Quick Christmas Cake

Ingredients (serves 20)

• 510g (3 cups) sultanas
• 265g (1 1/2 cups) Sunbeam flame raisins
• 155g (1 cup) currants
• 150g (1 cup) pitted dates, finely chopped
• 50g (1/4 cup) mixed peel
• 185ml (3/4 cup) brandy
• 2 tsp finely grated orange rind or I used Marmalade
• Melted butter, to grease
• 250g butter, at room temperature
• 200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 300g (2 cups) plain flour
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• Blanched almonds, to decorate
• Red glace cherries, extra, halved, to decorate
• 2 tbs brandy, extra

Method

1. Combine sultanas, raisins, currants, dates, cherries, raisins, pineapple, mixed peel, brandy and orange rind in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside, stirring occasionally, for 2 days to macerate.
2. Preheat oven to 150°C. Brush a round 22cm (base measurement) cake pan with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base and side with 3 layers of non-stick baking paper.
3. Use an electric beater to beat butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well between each addition until just combined. Add butter mixture to fruit mixture and stir to combine. Add flour and mixed spice and stir until well combined. Spoon into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Lightly tap pan on benchtop to release any air bubbles. Arrange almonds and cherries on top of the cake.
4. Bake in oven, covered with foil, for 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Drizzle hot cake with extra brandy. Set aside to cool before turning out.

Christmas Treats

Chili & Rosemary Spiced Nuts
Serves 8 to 10

3 Tablespoons of Butter
3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews
2 cups whole walnut halves
2 cups whole pecan halves
1/2 cup whole almonds
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
2 teaspoons Chili or Cayenne
4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves, divided
2 teaspoons salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 3 tablespoons of butter, the maple syrup, brown sugar, chili on the sheet pan. Toss to coat the nuts evenly. Add 4 tablespoons of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.

Spread the nuts in one layer. Roast the nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula, until the nuts are glazed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.

Toss well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Xmas Gift Ideas

This is the time of year for Making Craft and giving gifts. I made these adorable bags out of clear cellophane and added star stickers from Wrapco (www.wrapco.com.au) I tied them with
Herringbone Ribbon in Red.

Christmas Wrapping Paper

I love choosing a Theme each year, here is my 2011 Organic Theme.
I buy all my paper Online from http://www.wrapco.com.au

Christmas Baked Ham

Ingredients

2-4kg leg or shoulder of ham, on the bone
1 x 40g pkt whole cloves
125ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup
2 tbs Dijon mustard
300mls Soy Sauce

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a roasting pan with foil. Use a small knife to cut around ham shank in a zigzag pattern, about 10cm from the end. Run a knife under the rind, around the edge of the ham. Gently lift the rind off in 1 piece by running your fingers between the rind and the fat. Wrap the rind in a damp tea towel and place in the fridge (the rind can be used to cover any leftover ham when storing). Score fat in a diamond pattern. Stud the centres of diamonds with cloves. Place in the prepared pan.

Combine the maple syrup and mustard in a small bowl. Brush the ham evenly with the maple-syrup mixture.

Bake in oven, basting occasionally with pan juices, for 1 hour or until golden brown. Set aside for 2 hours to cool.

Carve baked ham into slices to serve.

Notes

You can make this recipe up to 2 days ahead. Cover with a tea towel or place in a cloth ham bag and store in the fridge.

Christmas Candles

Candles add such romance to a room and enhance the festive spirit, my candle bases are from IKEA and I have added my favourite Herringbone Ribbon for some Chritmas cheer.

For the most divine fragrance and smell you can not go past Glasshouse or Palm Beach candles.

I love the Lime and Coconut scent by Glasshouse.