Some decorating and easy mince-pies.

Some outside decorating.

Using fresh greenery and berries I've collected

and things I've dried over the year.

The first wreath I made,

 now hangs on the door at my daughters house.

Some outdoor decorating with lanterns.

Peeping in the window.

Every year at Christmas time I make mince-pies.

 For those of you who are not familiar with these spicy little tart-lets

 this is what they look like.

I don't make my own mince-meat I cheat a little and use a bought jar of good quality mince meat and add a slug of brandy, along with a few other extras

like grated orange peel a few cranberries & some chopped nuts. 

 .... but if you do want to make your own, take a look here

 Daphne always makes her own.

But this way is quick & easy.

This year I'm going to try something totally different.

It's a Jamie Oliver recipe, he used bought mince meat in a jar
along with ready made puff pastry and filo pastry sheets, 

so even chefs cheat,

Jamie's Mince-pies  they look so different.

Just to finish off

 I wanted to show you this lovely vintage enamel plaque

 I found it at a Christmas market.

It's been made into a coat hook-hanger.

I think I'm all organised now, 

what needs to be ordered has been ordered.

Cards and gifts to be sent have been posted.

Always some last minute presents to wrap.

So now I can do all the extra little touches to make

my home extra special for family and friends.

I plan to make Winter Spiced Pot-Pourri

It's an easy gift, smells wonderful
When all the spices and dried fruit are mixed together
 put the pourri in a pretty jar or a see through bag & tie with ribbon.  

Last year it was a great success, so I'll definitely make some more this week

I followed Stone Gable blog recipe, if you want to know how

to make it why don't you pop over to her  blog.

How is all your preparation coming along ?

Hope you are enjoying the build up to the festive season.

I'll try and get another post done, 

so that I can show you all the house decorating I've done

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian